Improved hatchery rearing of mangrove red snapper, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, in large tanks with small rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis) and Artemia

Abstract

A hatchery rearing scheme for the red snapper, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, is described. The feeding regime consisted of Chlorella, Brachionus, Artemia and minced fish. The average survival rate at day 24 was 27% in 3-ton tanks but only 3% in 0.5-ton tanks. From an initial length of 2.15 mm at stocking, larvae grew to 8.2 mm on day 24 and 30.6 mm on day 55. Growth and survival were best when larvae were fed screened Brachionus (<90 μm) during the first 14 days. Larvae fed Artemia at 1, 2 and 3 per ml per day weighed similarly on day 35 but were longer at the higher feeding levels and survived better at the lower levels. Larvae fed Artemia at 2 per ml had a higher survival when the ration was given four times a day rather than 1-2 times a day.