Growth of Tilapia aurea in Seawater Cages |
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| Authors: | Robert B. McGeachin Robert I. Wicklund Bori L. Olla James R. Winton |
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| Affiliation: | Caribbean Marine Research Center, 100 East 17th Street, Riviera Beach, Florida 33404;Cooperative Institute for Marine Resource Studies, Northwest and Alaska Fisheries Center National Marine Fisheries Service, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport. Oregon 97365;Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport. Oregon 97365 USA |
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| Abstract: | Fingerling Tilapia aurea were reared for 90 days in three 1.0 m3 floating cages in seawater (36 ppt) at Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas. Fish stocking density (100, 200 and 400 fish/m3) apparently did not affect growth rate but it appears salinity inhibited growth. Daily weight gain and specific growth rate (G) averaged 0.34 g/day and l.08%/day, respectively, for Tilapia aurea fingerlings. Infection of the Tilapia aurea by Bacillus sp. was associated with a significant number of mortalities. The relatively low growth rate and the high incidence of disease and mortality of Tilapita aures in seawater indicate that it may not be a good candidate for cage culture in full-strength seawater. |
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