Natural Spawning And Rearing Of Mangrove Red Snapper, Lutjanus Agentimaculatus, Larvae In Captivity

Abstract

Mangrove red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus, Forsskål) spawned naturally in captivity, without the use of hormones or other treatments, from May 21 to September 15, 1999. Each female laid an average 2,350,000 eggs. Larvae were reared in 4-ton circular fiberglass tanks. They were first fed S-type rotifers (Brachionus rotundiformis). Later, Artemia nauplii and cope- pods were added to the diet. They were weaned onto an artificial diet. Metamorphosis began at 18 days when the larvae reached 10.5 mm total length and was complete by day 30 when lar- vae were 17.2 mm. From day 26, large larvae (over 25 mm) cannibalized their smaller siblings. Abnormalities were observed in 4.9% of the individuals. At 50 days, the larvae rearing trial pro- duced juveniles of 49 mm average total length with a survival of 10.8-32.3%.