Hematological profile of the red snapper Lutjanus analis captured in Florianópolis, SC, Brazil, and cultured in floating net cages

Abstract

This study evaluated the hematological profile of 24 red snapper Lutjanus analis specimens before and after the culture in floating net cages. The fish were caught with baited traps in Lagoa da Conceição, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, and stocked in floating net cages for 30 days. At the beginning and at the end of the culture period, hematological parameters such as hematocrit percentage, differential count of leukocytes and total count of erythrocytes, leukocytes and thrombocytes were analyzed. Additionally, the fish were weighed and measured in both sampling periods. Fish showed a mean weight of 364.8 ± 63.7 g and total length of 28.7 ± 1.8 cm before culture and a mean weight of 417.4 ± 86.5 g and total length of 30.3 ± 0.7 cm after culture. Significant increase (p<0.05) in the hematocrit percentage and total leukocytes and monocytes counts after culture were observed. This study showed that L. analis cultured for 30 days showed changes in the hematological parameters, that might be related to adaptive physiological mechanisms of this species to farming conditions.