Effects of stocking densities on growth and survival rate in early life stages of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus Linnaeus, 1766)

Abstract

The effect of stocking density on growth, survival rate of red drum was examined in two-phase experiments. In phase 1 which lasted for 30 days, newly hatched larvae were stocked at the densities of 20, 30, 40, and 50 inds/l. Results showed that the stocking density affected the growth and survival rate of Red drum larvae (p < 0.05). The growth and survival rate were lowest at the density of 50 inds/l, and no difference in the growth and survival rate was found in among the groups 20, 30, and 40 inds/l. In phase 2: Fingerlings of Red drum with the total length (TL) of 21.9 mm and body weight (BW) of 0.14 g were nursed for 28 days at densities of 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, and 4 inds/l. Results showed that the stocking density also affected the growth and survival rate of Red drum fingerlings (p < 0.05), and the stocking density at 3.5 inds/l was considered the best.