Advances in Hatchery Technology of Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus

Yole Buchalla

The red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) fishery is one of the most valued and regulated marine finfish fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic of the United States. The species has also been studied for its aquaculture potential in the region, though preliminary results were varied and revealed several production challenges.  This study focused on resolving many of the challenges associated with spawning, larval rearing, weaning, and fingerling production of this species. Broodstock fish were acclimated for 1 year in one 60m³ 90% Recirculation Aquaculture System (RAS) tank with temperature control. After 377 days in captivity and through 107 days of spawn period, 6.44 x 10⁶ eggs were collected from 29 volitional spawning events with average fertilization rate >65%. A total of 1.01 x 10⁶ fertilized eggs were stocked in tanks ranging from 0.4m³ to 2.4m³, at a density of 351.4± 19.7 eggs l-1. Incubation of the eggs lasted 24hrs at 25.5± 1°C. Hatch rate averaged 82.2± 3.1%, and notochord length of hatched larvae was 2.1± 0.07mm. Larval rearing was conducted in replicated seawater tanks of from 0.4m³ to 2.4m³, at a temperature of 24-26°C. Enriched S-strain rotifers, Brachionus rotundiformis, were exclusively used for first feeding. Enriched Artemia sp nauplii were gradually introduced as feed to the larva at 18 days post hatch (DPH) and co-feeding was maintained until the onset of metamorphosis at 25 DPH. The survival rate at 12 DPH average 66.1± 0.22%. Weaning from live prey onto a commercially formulated microdiet was complete by 35 DPH. Early red snapper juveniles average 0.35± 0.04g and 29.0± 1.4 mm standard length at 40 DPH. Survival rate from yolk-sac larvae to post-metamorphic early juvenile averaged 4.4 ± 0.03%, ranging from 1.5% to 11.3%. A total of 31,849 fully weaned juveniles were produced in this study at the University of Miami Experimental Hatchery (UMEH). This study demonstrates that small strain rotifers can be used exclusively for the first feeding prey organism of red snapper larvae, representing a significant advancement for producing mass quantities of red snapper juveniles. <o:p></o:p>

Advances in Hatchery Technology of Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus

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