Abstract

BOTERO, Julián  and  OSPINA, José Fernando. GROWTH OF JUVENILES OF THE MUTTON SNAPPER LUTJANUS ANALIS IN FLOATING CAGES AT THE ROSARIO ISLANDS, COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN. Bol. Invest. Mar. Cost. [online]. 2002, vol.31, n.1, pp.205-217. ISSN 0122-9761.

An experimental culture trial of juveniles of mutton snapper Lutjanus analis was conducted in order to evaluate the growth potential of the species and its adaptability to culture conditions.  The juveniles (N = 127) with an initial weight ranging between 125 and 178 g were held at a stocking density of 15.9 fish/m³ in a floating cage and fed on a commercial artificial diet of 45% protein for a period of 118 days.  Results showed an individual daily weight increase of 3.16 g/day and a specific growth rate of 1.06%/day.  Although, the food conversion ratio obtained with the artificial diet was high and inadequate (TCA = 3.53).  During the culture period all fish showed great tolerance to handling stress and to water quality conditions in the cage (O₂ = 6.2-7.1 mg/L; Temp = 27.9-30.5 oC; Sal = 31-37).  Overall survival was 97.6%.  It is concluded that the mutton snapper has very important advantages for its culture like fast growth and tolerance to captivity conditions.

Keywords : Mutton snapper; Lutjanus analis; Culture; Floating cage; Growth.

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