Stocking densities for fat snook juveniles after larviculture

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to determine the influence of stocking density on survival and growth of fat snook juveniles (Centropomus parallelus) after larviculture. Stocking densities of 1, 2, 4 and 8 fish.L^-1 were tested in a triplicate experiment during a period of 30 days in sea water open flow through system. Fish were initially 50 days old and had 68 mg mean weight. Survival presented significant differences, with lower values on higher densities. Cannibalism was observed during experiment, what could be a cause of higher mortalities. Final weight, final total length, coefficient of variation of length and specific growth rate of fish were not affected by treatments. Regarding quality of rearing water, there were smaller oxygen levels and higher non-ionized ammonia levels with increasing densities. Then, it was concluded that survival rate is inversely related to stocking density for fat snook, but the higher density provides a higher juvenile production per volume without individual growth alterations.