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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #207694
Title: Use of imaging analysis for modeling growth and development of hatchery-reared southern flounder and Florida pompano

Author
item RILEY, KENNETH - EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
item Weirich, Charles
item Riche, Martin

Submitted to: American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2007
Publication Date: 2/1/2007
Citation: Riley, K., Weirich, C.R., Riche, M.A. 2007. Use of imaging analysis for modeling growth and development of hatchery-reared southern flounder and Florida pompano [abstract]. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. p. 29.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, and Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus, are prime candidates for aquaculture. Hatchery methods have been developed for each species, but rearing larvae through metamorphosis is difficult. We investigated the early life history of these fishes using image analysis. Larvae were reared through metamorphosis using established methods. Samples of 10 fish were photographed daily. Newly hatched larvae were transparent and small with a large, elongate yolk sac and single oil globule. The standard length of flounder at hatch was 3.1 ± 0.16 mm and pompano was 2.5 ± 0.09 mm. The lower and upper jaws as well as the digestive tract were not developed for either species. Rotifers were first observed in the stomach of flounder 5 days after hatch (DAH), and Artemia were observed at 23 DAH. Rotifers were observed in the stomach of pompano at 3 DAH, and Artemia were observed at 14 DAH. Growth rates were 0.18 ± 0.02 mm/d for flounder and 0.35 ± 0.09 mm/d for pompano. Flounder completed metamorphosis at 41 DAH at 18.9 ± 0.8 ÿC, whereas pompano completed metamorphosis at 19 DAH at 25.5 ± 0.2 ÿC. As a result of this study a refined feeding regime was developed to provide size-specific guidelines for each species.