Armando García-Ortega

B.S. in Biology, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
M.S. in Aquaculture, Cum Laude, Ghent University, Belgium
Ph.D. Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands

Author profile at Google Scholar

Courses

• AQUA 262 Intro Aquaculture (3) Taught every year since 2011 to date
• AQUA 254 Nutrition of Aquatic Organisms (3) 2021 to date
• AQUA 425 Water Qual & Aquatic Product (3) 2011-2014; 2018 to date
• AQUA 425L Water Qual & Aquatic Prod Lab (1) 2011-2014; 2018 to date
• AQUA 466 Fisheries Science (3) 2011-2013; 2019 to date
• AG 200 Agro-Environmental Science Com (3) 2020 to date
• AGEN 400 Aquaculture Engineering (4) 2011-2012; 2022 to date
• CBES 601 CBES Field & Laboratory Method (4) 2025
• AQUA 352 Aquaculture of Fishes (3) 2011-2017
• AQUA 352L Aquaculture of Fishes Lab (1) 2011-2017
• AQUA 353 Invertebrate & Algae Culture (3) 2014-2017
• AQUA 353L Cultures of Invertebrates Lab (1) 2014-2017
• ANSC 254 Fundamentals of Nutrition (3) 2017-2019
• ANSC 445 Animal Breeding & Genetics (3) 2018
• AG 100 Intro to Agricultural Sciences (3) 2022
• AG 291 Directed Work Experience Pgm (3) 2017
• AG 496 Prof Develop for the Sciences (1) 2019-2021

Research Interests

• Land-based aquaculture production of warm-water marine fish: ʻōpakapaka (pink snapper Pristipomoides filamentosus), kahala (longfin yellowtail Seriola rivoliana), giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), ʻamaʻama (striped mullet Mugil cephalus).
• Aquaculture nutritional studies and fish feeds formulation and production.
• Sustainable farming of omnivorous and carnivorous fish with algae-based feeds using Spirulina, Schizochytrium, Haematococcus, and other alternative ingredients as yeast, bacteria and insect meals.
• Land-based integrated farming of marine fish and seaweeds in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).

Articles in Scientific Journals

• Parish, G.R., Rowbotham, I., Mendoza, N.E., Norton, A.G., Klinger, D.H., Dale, J.D., Hopkins, K.D., García-Ortega, A., Block, B.A., Farwell, C., Gardner, L.D. 2020. Energetic savings when switching from a whole-fish type diet to a commercial pelleted diet in California yellowtail (Seriola dorsalis). Aquaculture, 516:734496.
• Perez-Velazquez, M., Gatlin III, D.M., González-Félix, M.L., García-Ortega, A., de Cruz, C.R., Juárez-Gómez, M.L., Chen, K. 2019. Effect of fishmeal and fish oil replacement by algal meals on biological performance and fatty acid profile of hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops ♀ × M. saxatilis ♂). Aquaculture 507:83-90.
• González-Félix, M.L., Gatlin III, D.M., Perez-Velazquez, M., Webb, K., García-Ortega, A., Hume. M. 2018. Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus growth and expression of bile salt-dependent lipase in response to increasing dietary lipid supplementation. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 44:1319-1331.
• Puello-Cruz, A., Ordoñez-Rosas, L., García-Ortega, A., Angulo-Escalante, M., Almazán-Rueda, P., Domínguez-Jiménez, P. 2018. Biochemical composition and evaluation of Jatropha curcas meal as a replacement for fish meal in diets of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 21:273-282.
• Perez-Velazquez, M., Gatlin III, D.M., González-Félix, M.L., García-Ortega, A. 2018. Partial replacement of fishmeal and fish oil by algal meals in diets of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus. Aquaculture 487:41-50.
• García-Ortega, A., Kissinger, K.R., Trushenski, J.T. 2016. Evaluation of fish meal and fish oil replacement by soybean protein and algal meal from Schizochytrium limacinum in diets for giant grouper Epinephelus lanceolatus. Aquaculture 452:1-8.
• Kissinger, K.R., García-Ortega, A., Trushenski, J.T. 2016. Partial fish meal replacement by soy protein concentrate, squid and algal meals in low fish-oil diets containing Schizochytrium limacinum for longfin yellowtail Seriola rivoliana. Aquaculture 452:37-44.
• García-Ortega, A., Martínez Steele, L., Sarnoski, P.J., Gonsalves, D., Wall, M.M. 2015. Use of biofuel by-products from green algae Desmochloris sp. and diatom Nannofrustulum sp. in diets for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Journal of Aquaculture Engineering and Fisheries Research, 1:144-154.
• Puello-Cruz, A.C., Flores-Rojas, A.A., Almazán-Rueda, P., García-Ortega, A. 2015. Use of copepods during early feeding stages of spotted rose snapper larvae in a scale-up system. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 77:230-238.
• Núñez-Vázquez, E.J., García-Ortega, A., Campa-Cordova, A., Abdo de la Parra, I., Ibarra-Martínez, L., Heredia-Tapia, A., Ochoa, J.L. 2012. Toxicity of cultured bullseye puffer fish Sphoeroides annulatus. Marine Drugs, 10:329-339.
• Galaviz, M.A., García-Ortega, A., Gisbert, E., López, M.L., García-Gasca, A. 2012. Expression and activity of trypsin and pepsin during larval development of the spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology-Part B: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, 161:9-16.
• García-Ortega, A., Verreth, J., Vermis, K., Nelis, H., Sorgeloos, P., Verstegen, M. 2010. Laboratory investigation of daily food intake and gut evacuation in larvae of African catfish Clarias gariepinus under different feeding conditions. Aquaculture International, 18:119-134.
• Abdo-de la Parra, I., Rodríguez-Ibarra, E., Hernández, C., Hernández, K., González-Rodríguez, B., Martínez-Rodríguez, I., García-Ortega, A. 2010. Effect of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth performance and survival of juvenile spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus. Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía, 45:433-439.
• Abdo-de la Parra, I., García-Ortega, A., Martínez-Rodríguez, I., González-Rodríguez, B., Velasco-Blanco, G., Hernández, C., Duncan, N. 2010. An intensive rearing protocol for larvae of the bullseye puffer, Sphoeroides annulatus (Jenyns). Aquaculture Research, 41:e554-e560.
• García-Ortega, A. 2009. Nutrition and feeding research in spotted rose snapper (Lutjanus guttatus) and bullseye puffer (Sphoeroides annulatus), new species for marine aquaculture. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 36:69-80.
• Focken, U., Schlechtriem, C., von Wuthenau, M., García-Ortega, A., Puello-Cruz, A., Becker, K. 2006. _Panagrellus redivivus_ mass produced on solid media as live food for Litopenaeus vannamei larvae. _Aquaculture Research_, 37:1429-1436.
• García-Gasca, A., Galaviz, M., Gutiérrez, J., García-Ortega, A. 2006. Development of the digestive tract, trypsin activity and gene expression in eggs and larvae of the bullseye puffer fish (Sphoeroides annulatus). Aquaculture, 251:366-376.
• García-Ortega, A., Abdo, I., Hernández, C. 2003. Weaning of bullseye puffer (Sphoeroides annulatus) larvae from live food to microparticulate diets made with decapsulated cysts of Artemia and fishmeal. Aquaculture International, 11:183-194.
• García-Ortega, A., Huisman, E.A., Sorgeloos, P., Verreth, J. 2001. Evaluation of protein quality in microbound starter diets made with decapsulated cysts of Artemia and fishmeal for fish larvae. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 32:317-329.
• García-Ortega, A., Verreth, J., Segner, H. 2000. Post-prandial protease activity in the digestive tract of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) larvae fed decapsulated cysts of Artemia. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 22:237-244.
• García-Ortega, A., Verreth, J., Van Hoornyck, A., Segner, H. 2000. Heat treatment affects protein quality and protease activity in decapsulated cysts of Artemia when used as starter food for larvae of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell). Aquaculture Nutrition, 6:25-31.
• García-Ortega, A., Koussoulaki, A., Boer, H., Verreth, J. 2000. In vitro protein digestibility of Artemia decapsulated cysts and nauplii, and of microbound diets for larval fish. Aquaculture Research, 31:475-478.
• García-Ortega, A., Verreth, J.A.J., Segner, H., Coutteau, P., Huisman, E.A. and Sorgeloos, P. 1998. Biochemical and enzymatic characterization of decapsulated cysts and nauplii of the brine shrimp Artemia at different developmental stages. Aquaculture, 161:501-514.

Industry Outreach Books, Training Programs and Workshops

• Nakamoto, S.T., Ekaputri, A.D., Leung, P.S., Lee, C.S. and García-Ortega, A. 2024. Cost Sheet for Aquatic Feed. Extension Publication by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
• García-Ortega, A. and Calvario Martínez, O. 2008. Manual of Best Aquaculture Practices for Food Safety in Tilapia Production. Programa de Inocuidad de Alimentos SENASICA/SAGARPA, Mexico. 156 pp. ISBN: 978-968-5384-14-8. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Feeding (SAGARPA). (In Spanish).
• García-Ortega, A. and Calvario Martínez, O. 2008. Manual of Best Aquaculture Practices for Food Safety in Catfish Production. Programa de Inocuidad de Alimentos SENASICA/SAGARPA, Mexico. 148 pp. ISBN: 978-968-5384-13-1. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Feeding (SAGARPA). (In Spanish).
• García-Ortega, A. and Calvario Martínez, O. 2003. Manual of Best Aquaculture Practices for Food Safety in Rainbow Trout Production. Programa de Inocuidad de Alimentos SENASICA/SAGARPA, Mexico. 86 pp. ISBN: 968-5384-05-3. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Feeding (SAGARPA). (In Spanish).
• Co-lead a National Training Program funded by the federal government in Mexico to obtain Certifications on Best Aquaculture Practices for Food Safety in the production of tilapia, channel catfish, and rainbow trout with the participation of 2,309 fish farmers and technical staff from 25 states in 51 two-day workshops across the country.

Conference Proceedings

• García-Ortega, A., Daw, A. and Hopkins, K. 2013. Feeding hatchery-produced larvae of the giant grouper Epinephelus lanceolatus. In: Rust, M., Olin, P., Bagwill, A., Fujitani, M. (eds). Proceedings of the 40th U.S.-Japan Aquaculture Panel Symposium, Honolulu, Hawaii, October 22-23, 2012. U.S. Dept. Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-F/SPO-136, pp 36-43.
• García-Ortega, A., Muy-Rangel, D., Puello-Cruz, A., Villa-López, Y., Escalante-Rojas, M. and Preciado-Iñiguez, K. 2010. Use of plant-derived ingredients as protein and lipid sources in practical feeds for carnivorous marine fish. In: Cruz Suárez E., Ricque D., Tapia-Salazar, M., Nieto-López, M., Villareal-Cavazos D., Gamboa-Delgado, J. (Eds.). Proceedings of the X International Symposium on Aquatic Nutrition, November 8-10, 2010. UANL, Monterrey, Mexico, pp. 321-340. (In Spanish).
• Puello-Cruz, A.C., González-Rodríguez, B. and García-Ortega, A. 2008. Research on production and use of copepods in marine larviculture. pp. 90-107. Eds: E. Cruz, D. Ricque, M. Tapia, M. Nieto, D. Villareal, J.P. Lazo, M.T. Viana. Proceedings of the IX International Symposium on Aquatic Nutrition. Nov. 24-27, 2008, Ensenada, México. (In Spanish).
• García Ortega, A. 2007. Current state of research on the production of bullseye puffer fish Sphoeroides annulatus. In: González-Félix, M.L., Bringas-Alvarado, L., Pérez-Velázquez, M., Meza-García, S. (Eds.). Proceedings of the 3rd International Aquaculture Forum. Hermosillo, Mexico. Nov. 28-30, 2007. pp. 58-83. (In Spanish).
• García-Ortega, A., Abdo, I., Duncan, N., Rodríguez, E., Velasco, G., González, B., Puello, A. and Martínez, I. 2005. Larval rearing of spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus under experimental conditions. In: C.I. Hendry, G. Van Stappen, M. Wille and P. Sorgeloos (Eds.) Larvi ’05- Fish and Shellfish Larviculture Symposium. European Aquaculture Society, Special Publication No. 36, Oostende, Belgium. pp. 172-175.
• García-Ortega, A., Verreth, J., Vermis, K., Nelis, H.J., Sorgeloos, P. and Verstegen. M.W.A. 2005. Estimation of daily food intake and gut evacuation under different feeding conditions in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) larvae. In: C.I. Hendry, G. Van Stappen, M. Wille and P. Sorgeloos (Eds.). Larvi ’05- Fish and Shellfish Larviculture Symposium. European Aquaculture Society, Special Publication No. 36, Oostende, Belgium. pp. 176-179.
• Lazo, J.P., Zacarias, M, Muguet, J.B., Vargas, D., Medina, C., García-Ortega, A., Conklin, D.E. and Piedrahita, R.H. 2005. Characterizing the digestive physiology of California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) larvae: towards developing suitable microdiets and weaning protocols. In: C.I. Hendry, G. Van Stappen, M. Wille and P. Sorgeloos (Eds.). Larvi ’05- Fish and Shellfish Larviculture Symposium. European Aquaculture Society, Special Publication No. 36, Oostende, Belgium. pp. 274-277.
• García-Ortega, A. and Calvario Martínez, O. 2003. Importance of Good Aquaculture Practices to ensure food safety in rainbow trout farming. Proceedings of the II International Meeting on Trout Production, Quality and Food Safety, and Sustained Development. Autonomous University of Mexico State, Nov. 26-28, 2003. Toluca, Mexico. pp. 1-5. (In Spanish).
• García-Ortega, A., Hernández, C., Abdo de la Parra, I. and González-Rodríguez, B. 2002. Advances in the nutrition and feeding of the bullseye puffer Sphoeroides annulatus. In: E. Cruz -Suárez, D. Ricque-Marie, M. Tapia-Salazar, G. Gaxiola-Cortés, N. Simoes, (Eds.). Proceedings of the VI International Symposium on Aquatic Nutrition. Sep. 3-6, 2002, Cancun, QR, Mexico. pp. 187-196.
• García Ortega, A. and Abdo de la Parra, I. 2002. Nutrition and feeding in ornamental fish. Proceedings of the 6th National Meeting in Ornamental Fish. Mazatlan, Mexico. Oct. 3-5, 2002. pp. 1-19. (In Spanish).
• García-Ortega, A., I. Abdo and Hernández, C. 2001. Weaning of Mexican bullseye puffer (Sphoeroides annulatus) larvae from Artemia nauplii to artificial microdiets. In: C.I. Hendry, G. van Stappen, M. Wille, P. Sorgeloos (Eds.). Larvi 2001- Fish and Shellfish Larviculture Symposium. European Aquaculture Society Special Publication No. 30. Ghent, Belgium. pp. 215-218.
• Abdo-de la Parra, I., García-Ortega, A., Martínez, I., González, B., Velasco, G., Hernández, C. and Duncan, N. 2001. Larval rearing of the Mexican bullseye puffer Sphoeroides annulatus under hatchery conditions. In: C.I. Hendry, G. van Stappen, M. Wille, P. Sorgeloos (Eds.). Larvi 2001- Fish and Shellfish Larviculture Symposium. European Aquaculture Society Special Publication No. 30. Ghent, Belgium. pp. 4-7.
• García-Ortega, A. 2000. Nutritional value of Artemia cysts and their use as protein source in artificial diets for fish larvae. In: L.E. Cruz -Suárez, D. Ricque-Marie, M. Tapia-Salazar, M.A. Olvera-Novoa, R. Civera-Cerecedo, (Eds.). Proceedings of the V International Symposium on Aquatic Nutrition. November 19-22, 2000, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. pp. 287-299.