CRECIMIENTO DE JUVENILES DE PARGO PALMERO LUTJANUS ANALIS (CUVIER) EN JAULAS FLOTANTES EN ISLAS DEL ROSARIO, CARIBE COLOMBIANO

Abstract

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 1 to 8 days. Results showed an individual daily weight increase of 3.16 g/ day and a specific growth rate of t .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.