A review of grouper (Epinephelus suillus) fry production research in Malaysia
Share
Abstract
Research on grouper (Epinephelus suillus) fry production in captivity has been carried out in Malaysia since 1986 at Tanjung Demong Marine Finfish Production and Research Centre (TDMFPRC) but the breakthrough was only achieved four years later in 1990. Eggs were obtained through natural and induced spawning in tanks. Natural spawning of grouper in captivity seldom occurred and was unpredictable. However induced spawnings were successfully carried out by injecting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) intramuscularly at a dose of 500-1000 IU/kg fish.
The results from several trials on larval rearing conducted since 1989 until recently showed that larvae obtained from natural spawnings survived longer with some reaching the juvenile stage. The highest recorded survival rate of 43 days posthatch (32.5 mm total length) was 12.1% at 28-32 °C water temperature. On the other hand, 100% mortality usually occurred in larvae obtained from induced spawning 7 days after hatching.
The major constraints of grouper fry production in Malaysia are lack of male spawners, inconsistent and unpredictable natural spawning, small quantity of eggs released every spawning day, poor fertilization and hatching rate, weak hatchlings, and high mortality rate at the early stages of larval development. The latter is probably due mainly to problems on initial feeding.
Suggested Citation
Ali, H. M. (1996). A review of grouper (Epinephelus suillus) fry production research in Malaysia. In C. L. Marte, G. F. Quinitio, & A. C. Emata (Eds.), Proceedings of the Seminar-Workshop on Breeding and Seed Production of Cultured Finfishes in the Philippines, Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines, 4-5 May 1993 (pp. 140-149). Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines: Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center.
Type
Conference paperISBN
9718511326Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Philippine National Standard: Live, chilled/frozen grouper
(Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards, 2009)This Philippine National Standard for live, chilled/frozen grouper identifies the Philippine species of grouper, specifies their essential composition and quality factors (including size classification and quality characteristics), provides the presentation, packaging and labeling requirements, indicates the methods sampling, examination and analyses, and defines the types of defectives. It is hoped that this standard accomplishes our two pronged goal of protecting consumer health and making the Philippine fish and fishery products globally competitive. -
Collection of the orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides from Tinagong Dagat and Sapian Bay in northern Panay
(Bureau of Agricultural Research, Department of Agriculture, 2007)In Capiz, northern Panay, grouper catches by hand picking, hook and line, shelters, and fish corral were low throughout the year, on average 1-3 fish from each fishing operation, but higher in Tinagong Dagat than in Sapian Bay. Epinephelus coioides was the most common of the three grouper species collected; E. quoyanus and E. malabaricus were not numerous. The 882 specimens of E. coioides from Tinagong Dagat measured from 3.6 to 39 cm in standard length; the 250 E. coioides from Sapian Bay were between 1.7 and 31.2 cm SL. The size distribution showed a modal length of about 17 cm SL (21% of the fish) in Tinagong Dagat, and 11 cm (26%) in Sapian Bay. Small juveniles 2–8 cm were collected from Tinagong Dagat in January-April 1993, but not in Jan-Apr 1994. Such small juveniles were also collected from Sapian Bay in January and in April–August 1993. Groupers 9–23 cm occurred year round, but the 9–15 cm group was more abundant from January to June. At both sites, groupers >30 cm could hardly be found. Both grouper habitats experienced wide ranges of water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen during the year. -
Assessment of grouper resources around Zamboanga City and Basilan, Philippines
(Bureau of Agricultural Research, Department of Agriculture, 2007)A total of 2,643 kg of groupers were collected from six markets (96% of the biomass) and from prescribed fish traps in three fishing grounds (106 kg, 4%) around Zamboanga City and Basilan from November 1993 to October 1994. The collection included 26 species in seven genera: Aethaloperca, Cephalopholis, Cromileptis, Epinephelus, Niphon, Plectropomus, and Variola. The three species of highest biomass were Epinephelus fasciatus (26%), Cephalopholis sonnerati (14%) and Cromileptis altivelis (13%). The least biomass was contributed by Epinephelus sexfasciatus (0.1%), Plectropomus areolatus (0.1%), and Cephalopholis sexmaculatus (0.3%). Grouper biomass was lower from November to April and greater from May to October. Groupers caught by the prescribed fish traps were mostly Epinephelus merra (50% of the total). The highest catch of grouper was 0.8 kg/fish trap around Sta. Cruz Island in July, and the highest catch of all demersal fishes was 7 kg/trap around Malamawi Island in September. On average, groupers made up less than 10% of the monthly catch of fish traps. The groupers collected from the markets and from the fish traps averaged 28 cm in total length— all young juveniles. Cromileptes altivelis (average 38 cm) were the largest individuals and Plectropomus spp. (36 cm) similarly so. The largest C. altivelis (1.5 kg) was caught in December and the smallest (0.8 kg) in April and August. The various Cephalopholis species averaged 31 cm, and the various Epinephelus species were smallest at 26 cm. Groupers were largest in December and smallest between January and May. Length-weight equations were derived for seven grouper species. Of the 78 grouper stomachs that were dissected, 52 were empty and 26 contained food, mainly crabs, anchovies, hermit crabs, soldierfish, squids, and shrimps. Groupers with mature and ripe varies had from 3,000 to 11,000 eggs per gram ovary.
