Comparison of Pond-Culture Characteristics between Atlantic and Gulf Coast Red Drum Fingerlings

Abstract

Abstract Fry of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) from Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast brood stocks were cultured in fertilized saltwater ponds during spring and fall 1987 to compare production and growth characteristics. Ponds were fertilized with a combination of cottonseed meal, phosphoric acid, and urea. Fry were stocked at an average rate of 674,000 fry/hectare 2–4 weeks after pond filling. Spring production ranged from 2.11 to 3.19 kg/hectare daily, and survival ranged from 65.9 to 86.4%. Fall production values were 1.00–2.67 kg!hectare daily; survival ranged from 24.5 to 50.4%. Survival and production were similar between the two geographic populations of red drum. For both seasons combined, average standard length of Atlantic red drum fingerlings ranged from 15.6 to 26.2 mm, and weight ranged from 0.10 to 0.34 g; Gulf of Mexico fingerlings ranged from 19.5 to 23.7 mm and 0.16 to 0.26 g. No clear pattern of superior growth, production, or survival was found for either Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic red drum fingerlings in saltwater ponds.