Growth, maturity and induced spawning of mangrove red snapper, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, broodstock reared in concrete tanks

Abstract

Mangrove red snapper, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, fry (n=30) were collected in 1993 and reared in concrete tanks. They were fed trash fish every other day initially at 10% to 5%, until they reached three years. They reached 4.18 plus or minus 0.14 kg (mean body weight) after five years in captivity. Males matured in four years (mean body weight 2.55 kg, mean total length 49.6 cm) and females in five years (3.92 kg, 57.0 cm). As with other lutjanids, L. argentimaculatus exhibited separate sexes and no sexual dimorphism. Mangrove red snapper broodstock were sexually mature from April to October coinciding with the appearance of fry in the wild and the breeding season of wild-caught adults. Reproductive performance (egg production and quality) of first-time spawning mangrove red snapper broodstock was poorer than that of wild-caught adults. However, the results demonstrate the feasibility of developing mangrove red snapper broodstock in concrete tanks to ensure the sustainability of snapper aquaculture.