Rearing larvae of dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834), (Pisces: Serranidae) in a semi-extensive mesocosm
One of the major obstacles to propagating dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus, is the difficulty of rearing the early larvae. We have successfully raised dusky grouper larvae in mesocosms using a mixed diet of endogenous plankton grown in the rearing tank and an exogenous supply of Brachionus plic...
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Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
2009-10-01
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doaj-6ff181a4f63f4d478efb091397d0f8f72021-05-05T13:49:40ZengConsejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasScientia Marina0214-83581886-81342009-10-0173S120121210.3989/scimar.2009.73s12011112Rearing larvae of dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834), (Pisces: Serranidae) in a semi-extensive mesocosmMaria Emília Cunha0Hugo Quental1Ana Barradas2Pedro Pousão-Ferreira3Elsa Cabrita4Sofia Engrola5INRB, I.P. / IPIMAR, Estação Piloto de Piscicultura de OlhãoINRB, I.P. / IPIMAR, Estação Piloto de Piscicultura de OlhãoINRB, I.P. / IPIMAR, Estação Piloto de Piscicultura de OlhãoINRB, I.P. / IPIMAR, Estação Piloto de Piscicultura de OlhãoCCMar, Universidade do AlgarveCCMar, Universidade do AlgarveOne of the major obstacles to propagating dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus, is the difficulty of rearing the early larvae. We have successfully raised dusky grouper larvae in mesocosms using a mixed diet of endogenous plankton grown in the rearing tank and an exogenous supply of Brachionus plicatilis and Artemia sp. Newly hatched larvae at an initial density of 1.3 ind.l-1 were stocked in partially shaded 3 m3 circular outdoor tanks during the summers of 2007 and 2008. Before introducing newly hatched larvae, the water was left for six days to promote plankton growth. Larval growth occurred at two different rates: i) a faster rate from first feeding to the beginning of metamorphosis, and ii) a slower rate at transformation. Survival at the beginning of metamorphosis was less than 10% (33 DPH) in 2007 and between 25 and 50% (25 DPH) in 2008. High mortalities were observed during larval transformation. The estimated minimum food requirement per grouper larvae increased more than 300% from the beginning of the notochord flexion to the beginning of metamorphosis. To meet such a high feeding requirement the number of larger prey organisms/copepods in the mesocosm should be eight times higher during this time period.http://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/1122larval rearingepinephelus marginatusdusky grouperfeeding requirementmesocosm |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Maria Emília Cunha Hugo Quental Ana Barradas Pedro Pousão-Ferreira Elsa Cabrita Sofia Engrola |
spellingShingle |
Maria Emília Cunha Hugo Quental Ana Barradas Pedro Pousão-Ferreira Elsa Cabrita Sofia Engrola Rearing larvae of dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834), (Pisces: Serranidae) in a semi-extensive mesocosm Scientia Marina larval rearing epinephelus marginatus dusky grouper feeding requirement mesocosm |
author_facet |
Maria Emília Cunha Hugo Quental Ana Barradas Pedro Pousão-Ferreira Elsa Cabrita Sofia Engrola |
author_sort |
Maria Emília Cunha |
title |
Rearing larvae of dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834), (Pisces: Serranidae) in a semi-extensive mesocosm |
title_short |
Rearing larvae of dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834), (Pisces: Serranidae) in a semi-extensive mesocosm |
title_full |
Rearing larvae of dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834), (Pisces: Serranidae) in a semi-extensive mesocosm |
title_fullStr |
Rearing larvae of dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834), (Pisces: Serranidae) in a semi-extensive mesocosm |
title_full_unstemmed |
Rearing larvae of dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834), (Pisces: Serranidae) in a semi-extensive mesocosm |
title_sort |
rearing larvae of dusky grouper, epinephelus marginatus (lowe, 1834), (pisces: serranidae) in a semi-extensive mesocosm |
publisher |
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas |
series |
Scientia Marina |
issn |
0214-8358 1886-8134 |
publishDate |
2009-10-01 |
description |
One of the major obstacles to propagating dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus, is the difficulty of rearing the early larvae. We have successfully raised dusky grouper larvae in mesocosms using a mixed diet of endogenous plankton grown in the rearing tank and an exogenous supply of Brachionus plicatilis and Artemia sp. Newly hatched larvae at an initial density of 1.3 ind.l-1 were stocked in partially shaded 3 m3 circular outdoor tanks during the summers of 2007 and 2008. Before introducing newly hatched larvae, the water was left for six days to promote plankton growth. Larval growth occurred at two different rates: i) a faster rate from first feeding to the beginning of metamorphosis, and ii) a slower rate at transformation. Survival at the beginning of metamorphosis was less than 10% (33 DPH) in 2007 and between 25 and 50% (25 DPH) in 2008. High mortalities were observed during larval transformation. The estimated minimum food requirement per grouper larvae increased more than 300% from the beginning of the notochord flexion to the beginning of metamorphosis. To meet such a high feeding requirement the number of larger prey organisms/copepods in the mesocosm should be eight times higher during this time period. |
topic |
larval rearing epinephelus marginatus dusky grouper feeding requirement mesocosm |
url |
http://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/1122 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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