Evaluation of First-Feeding Regimens for Larval Nassau Grouper Epinephelus straitus and Preliminary, Pilot-Scale Culture through Metamorphosis

Two 10-day hatchery experiments were conducted to evaluate s-type (Hawaiian strain) and ss-type (Thailand strain) rotifers Brachionus plicatilis and cryogenically preserved oyster Crassostrea gigas trochophores as first feeds for larval Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus. Newly hatched grouper larvae were reared at densities of 11.2–20.8/L in 500-L tanks at 36–38 ppt salinity, 25–26 C, and under a 11-h light: 13-h dark photoperiod. Beginning on day 2 posthatching (d2ph), prey were maintained at a density of 20 individuals/mL, while phytoplankton (Nanochloropsis oculata) was maintained at 500 × 10³ cells/mL. In experiment 1, survival and growth were higher (P < 0.05) for fish fed small s-type rotifers (mean lorica length = 117 μm; fish survival = 7.96%) selected by sieving than for fish fed non-selected rotifers (mean lorica length = 161 μm; fish survival = 2.13%). These results demonstrated the advantage of small prey size and suggested that super-small (ss-type) rotifer strains would be beneficial. In experiment 2, three feeding regimens were compared: 1) ss-type rotifers (mean lorica length = 147 μm); 2) oyster trochophores (mean diameter = 50 μm) gradually replaced by ss-type rotifers from d5ph; and 3) a mixed-prey teatment of 50% oyster trochophores and 50% ss-type rotifers. Survival was higher (P < 0.05) for larvae fed mixed prey (15.6%) than for those fed rotifers (9.73%) or trochophores and rotifers in sequence (2.55%), which also showed the slowest growth. Oyster trochophores, although inadequate when used exclusively, enhanced survival when used in combination with rotifers, possibly by improving size selectivity and dietary quality. In a pilot-scale trial, larvae were cultured through metamorphosis in two 33.8-m³ outdoor tanks. Fertilized eggs were stocked at a density of 10 eggs/L and larvae were fed ss-type rotifers from d2ph-d20ph, newly hatched Artemia from d15ph-d18ph, 1-d-old Artemia nauplii from d18ph-d62ph. Survival on d62ph was 1.17%, with a total of 5,651 post-metamorphic juveniles produced.     

Oocyte Growth in the Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus L. Maturing at Different Salinities

Profiles of oocyte growth were obtained from female striped mullet Mugil cephalus L. held in salinities ranging from fresh water to seawater during two consecutive spawning seasons (1988–1990) in Hawaii. Females underwent vitellogenesis at all salinities (i.e., 32–35, 13–20, and 0%‰) tested. Females maturing in fresh water exhibited a slower rate of oocyte growth, and a significantly lower number completed vitellogenesis. All females were induced to spawn in full seawater. The number of fertilized eggs per spawning was highest from females maturing in brackish water. More females were able to be induced to spawn twice in brackish water during the 1989–1990 season than in fresh or seawater. The results from the current investigation suggest that salinities ranging from 13–35 ppt are adequate for ovarian maturation in captive striped mullet females.