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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #202723
Title: Development and growth of hatchery-reared larval Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus

Author
item RILEY, KENNETH - HBOI
item Weirich, Charles
item Cerino, David

Submitted to: Fishery Bulletin
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2008
Publication Date: 3/24/2009
Citation: Riley, K.L., Weirich, C.R., Cerino, D.S. 2009. Development and growth of hatchery-reared larval Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus. Fishery Bulletin. 107:318-328.

Interpretive Summary: The Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus is an excellent candidate for aquaculture as it possesses a high market value and grows well in captivity. However, the lack of a consistent and reliable supply of juveniles has been a major limiting factor regarding commercial culture of this species. To improve the understanding of larval development and to refine hatchery production techniques, the present study was conducted to document growth and development of pompano from hatch through juvenile stage using digital photography and image analysis. In three larval rearing trials, 50,000 larvae were stocked into a 0.8-m3 tank. Larvae were fed enriched rotifers from 2 days after hatching (DAH) through 15 DAH and Artemia nauplii from 12 through 20 DAH. Samples of 10 larvae were photographed and measured daily. Newly hatched larvae possessed a large, elongate yolk sac and single oil globule. The lower and upper jaws as well as the digestive tract were not fully developed at hatch. Rotifers were observed in the stomach of larvae at 3 DAH, and Artemia were observed in the stomach of larvae at 14 DAH. Larvae grew approximately 0.27 mm/d over the course of the three trials. The mouth gape of larvae was 266 µm at first feeding. Predicted values for optimal prey sizes ranged from 80 to 130 µm at 3 DAH, 160 to 267 µm at 5 DAH, and 454 to 757 µm at 10 DAH. As a result of this study a refined feeding regime was developed to provide stage- and size-specific guidelines for feeding pompano larvae reared under hatchery conditions.

Technical Abstract: Although the Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus is a prime candidate for aquaculture, production of juveniles remains a major impediment to commercial culture of this species. To improve the understanding of larval development and to refine hatchery production techniques, the present study was conducted to characterize growth and development of pompano from hatch through metamorphosis using digital photography and image analysis. In three independent larval rearing trials, 50,000 larvae were stocked into a 0.8-m3 tank. Larvae were fed enriched rotifers from 2 days after hatching (DAH) through 15 DAH and Artemia nauplii from 12 through 20 DAH. Samples of 10 larvae were photographed and measured daily. Newly hatched larvae (SL = 2.5 ± 0.09) possessed a large, elongate yolk sac and single oil globule. The lower and upper jaws as well as the digestive tract were not fully developed at hatch. Rotifers were observed in the stomach of larvae at 3 DAH, and Artemia were observed in the stomach of larvae at 14 DAH. Specific growth rates (SGR, means ± SE) calculated from total length measurements were 0.22 ± 0.04, 0.23 ± 0.12, and 0.35 ± 0.09 mm/d for each of the larval rearing trials. The mouth gape of larvae was 266 ± 75 µm at first feeding and increased with a SGR of 0.13 ± 0.04 mm/d. Predicted values for optimal prey sizes ranged from 80 to 130 µm at 3 DAH, 160 to 267 µm at 5 DAH, and 454 to 757 µm at 10 DAH. As a result of this study a refined feeding regime was developed to provide stage- and size-specific guidelines for feeding pompano larvae reared under hatchery conditions.