Observations and Techniques for Maturation, Spawning, and Larval Rearing of the Yellowtail Snapper Ocyurus chrysurus

Abstract

Abstract.— This paper describes current techniques used at our laboratory for the controlled spawning, maturation and larval rearing of the yellowtail snapper. Juvenile yellowtail snapper were obtained from Florida and transferred to the Fisheries and Mariculture Laboratory in July 1990. Temperature and photoperiod manipulation resulted in precocial spawning in 1991, with sustained successive spawning beginning in February 1992. Average weekly spawning from 1992–1994 was 308,000 and 247,000 eggs/tank, with fertilization rates of 46.1 % and 32.5% for fish maintained in two separate spawning tanks. Observations on spawning activity from 1995 to 1996, during which a decreasing trend in egg and larval quality was observed, imply a possible problem with broodstock nutrition. Evaluation of feeding regimes during this period indicated a shift to a high (almost exclusively) usage of fresh squid and a reduction in fish and shrimp. Returning to a feeding regime of alternating feedings of fresh fish, squid. and shrimp have yielded improved spawning and egg quality. Larval rearing techniques using live and prepared feeds has resulted in an overall survival of 3% from egg to advanced juvenile. Growout of first generation (F1) juveniles yielded a marketable size (1 1b) fish in 25 mo. Spawning of F1 fish hegan in 1998. larval rearing and grow out of F2 fish are currently underway. Results demonstrate that yellowtail snapper culture is technically feasible; however. further research to develop species specific culture techniques will be required before the culture potential of this species can be accurately evaluated.