Survival of yolk-sac larvae of grouper (Epinephelus suillus) under simulated transport conditions.

Abstract

Transport of live fish is a routine activity in aquaculture. Various transport techniques have been reported by Berka. Transport of grouper eggs (Epinephelus suillus) between fisheries stations in Thailand is being conducted. However, no report has been made on transport of yolk-sac larvae of this fish. In the Philippines transport of eggs poses difficulties, particularly for hatcheries which are distant from the broodstock rearing site since spawning occurs between 1600 and 1800 h. Eggs can only be collected the following morning and hatching starts around 1200-1300 h (20 h after fertilization). Thus it seems advisable to transport yolk-sac larvae rather than eggs of grouper under such conditions. This study was conducted to determine the feasibility and optimum loading density of transporting grouper yolk-sac larvae for about 2 h.