Induced spawning and early life description of the mangrove red snapper, Lutjanus argentimaculatus

Abstract

Wild-caught mangrove red snapper, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, reared in a concrete tank for 1 year, spontaneously matured in June 1992. On 19 August 1992, a sexually mature female and male (4.6 and 3.2 kg body weight, respectively) were administered a single intramuscular injection of HCG 1500 IU·kg⁻¹ body weight. Spawning occurred 27 h after injection. Hatching occurred 16 h after spawning at 28°C and 32 ppt. Yolk resorption was completed 72 h after hatching. Growth was slow in the first week but rapid in the second and third weeks. Egg and larval development is similar to that of other lutjanids. Larval rearing revealed two critical periods: days 3–5 and days 18–20. Future studies must be geared to avoid mass mortality of the larvae during the critical stages for mass seed production.