DEVELOPMENT OF REPRODUCTION AND LARVICULTURE PROTOCOLS FOR PRODUCTION OF FLORIDA POMPANO: A USDA AND HBOI RESEARCH INITIATIVE

Authors: Weirich, Charles; RILEY, KENNETH - HBOI

Submitted to: International Sustainable Marine Fish Culture Conference and Workshop Book of Abstracts
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2005
Publication Date: 10/15/2005
Citation: Weirich, C.R., Riley, K. 2005. Development of reproduction and larviculture protocols for production of Florida pompano: a USDA and HBOI research initiative [abstract]. International Sustainable Marine Fish Culture Conference and Workshop Book of Abstracts. p.7.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Renewed interest in the culture of Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus, a high-value species first identified as an excellent candidate for mariculture over three decades ago, has occurred in recent years. To support the development of pompano mariculture, trials were conducted in 2004 and 2005 by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) in collaboration with Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI) to evaluate captive reproduction of pompano via hormonal induction and to develop basic procedures for larval production. To establish and maintain a captive broodstock population, adult pompano were collected seasonally beginning in 2003 from the wild and were subjected to quarantine and feed training. Fish were then held in recirculating tank systems (sex ratio, 1:1) under controlled photothermal conditions and were sampled periodically to assess health and reproductive condition. To initiate spawning ripe females (mean oocyte diameter > 500 µm) and males were implanted with a 75-µg GnRHa pellet. Fish spawned approximately 36 h post-implantation and eggs were collected and stocked into incubation tanks (24-26 C) with hatching occurring approximately 30-36 h post-fertilization. In 2004 three spawning trials were conducted resulting in the production of 4.4 million eggs, of which 980,000 were floating (mean fertilization rate, 82.0%). In 2005 an additional four trials were conducted resulting in the production of 5.9 million eggs, of which 2.5 million were floating (mean fertilization rate, 96.9%). Hatching rate of eggs in trials conducted ranged from 70-98%. In 2004 and 2005 a total of 630,000 and 1.9 million larvae were hatched, respectively. Larvae were fed rotifers beginning at 2 days post-hatch (DPH), were weaned to Artemia 1st instar nauplii at 10-12 DPH, and were weaned to enriched Artemia metanauplii at 15-17 DPH. Weaning to a formulated diet was complete at metamorphosis (22-25 DPH). Greenwater culture conditions were maintained until larvae were fed 1st instar Artemia alone. Results to date indicate that pompano broodstock can be readily spawned in captivity over extended periods of time through environmental control coupled with hormonal inducement. Although moderate variability in egg quality between spawning events has been observed, pompano produce relatively large quantities of eggs necessary for mass production of seed stock. Regarding larviculture, significant improvement with respect to larval survival and production of metamorphosed juveniles was attained in 2005. In 2004 larvae were reared under suboptimal environmental conditions, feeding regimes, and in improper culture systems. In 2005, culture protocols and systems were improved and refined and over 10,000 juveniles were produced. Future research efforts will focus on developing methods for natural spawning of broodstock and refined procedures for larviculture.