Artificial Propagation of Mutton Snapper Lutjanus analis, A New Candidate Marine Fish Species for Aquaculture

Abstract

Wild‐caught mutton snapper Lutjanus analis, a high‐value marine food fish species, matured in flow‐through seawater (36 g/L) tanks after 3 yr in captivity. On 31 May 1995, a female with a mean oocyte diameter of 382 μm was injected with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) (500 IU/kg body wt.) followed 24 h later by a second injection (1,000 IU/kg body wt.). At the time of the second injection, three males were injected with HCG (500 IU/ kg body wt.). Voluntary spawning occurred 33 h after the first injection, with a total of 534, 781 eggs released. Fertilization rate was 75.7%, while average diameter of fertilized eggs was 783 μm. Embryos were stocked in a 30‐m3 outdoor tank at a density of 10.5/L. On day 2 post‐hatching (d2ph), larval density was 8.61 larvae/L, and average notochord length was 2.6 mm. Larvae were fed ss‐type rotifers from dl‐d28ph, Artemia nauplii from 0–08ph, and artificial diets (52–48% protein) from d24‐d38ph. On d38ph, fish averaged 0.308 g and 22.2 mm standard length. Survival (from d2ph) was 14.3%, with a total of 36,900 post‐metamorphic juveniles produced. On d97ph, 1,390 hatchery‐reared juveniles (avg. wt. = 10.5 g) were stocked into two 14.5‐m3 recirculating seawater tanks (695 fish/tank; 48 fish/m3) and fed a 56% protein pellet. After 168 d, fish averaged 140.8 g, with a survival rate of 97.8% and a feed conversion ratio (dry wt./wet wt.) of 1.2. These preliminary results reveal the mutton snapper to be a prime, new candidate species for commercial cultivation.

Parasites of the Mutton Snapper Lutjanus analis (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) in Alagoas, Brazil

“…Reef-associated fish represent almost half of the total catch by weight, and the mutton snapper is one of the main targets of this fishery (FRÉDOU;FERREIRA, 2005). Because of its high commercial value and the current overexploitation of its natural stocks, L. analis has been identified as one of the best prospects for aquaculture (WATANABE et al, 1998), and preliminary studies in floating net cages have suggested that production of this fish is viable (BENETTI et al, 2002).…”

Cryopreservation of mutton snapper ( Lutjanus analis) sperm

“…Interest in the culture of snappers (Lutjanidae family) has been developed throughout the world because of declines in wild stocks combined with a consistent high demand and market value (Watanabe et al 1998, Benetti et al 2002, Garcia-Ortega 2009. Some lutjanid species, such as Lutjanus argentimaculatus, Lutjanus johnii, Lutjanus russelli and Lutjanus sebae, are currently farmed in Pakistan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines (Hong and zhang 2002).…”

Comparative effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatments on the stimulation of male Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) reproduction

“…Interestingly, some studies have reported effects of hCG on breeding behaviour. In male mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) a single hCG injection stimulated spermiation and induced high fertilization rates (Watanabe et al, 1998a). In Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) weekly hCG injections stimulated active courtship behaviour before spermiation (Dou et al, 2007).…”