Growth Performance of the Mangrove Red Snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) in Freshwater Pond Comparing Two Stocking Densities and Three Feed Types

Abstract

The mangrove red snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus (Forsskål 1775) is a high value, euryhaline marine fish with potential as a species for freshwater aquaculture. This study evaluated the growth and cost efficiency of the species in a freshwater pond in two experiments with three replications: (a) comparing stocking densities: (1) 0.5; (2) 1; and (3) 3 fish fish•m-2 reared for six months fed three times a day with trash fish to apparent satiation; and (b) comparing feed types: (1) trash fish; (2) moist diet; and (3) formulated dry pellet at a stocking density of 1 fish•m-2 fed to apparent satiation three times a day for seven months. The stocking density (SD) experiment showed significantly higher weight gain, absolute growth and specific growth rate (P<0.05) in 0.5 fish•m-2 SD (184.9 g; 1.04 g•day-1; 2.50%/day) than 3 fish•m-2 SD (172.7 g; 0.96 g•day-1; 2.38 %•day-1). No significant difference was detected between 0.5 fish•m-2 SD and 1 fish•m-2 nor between 1 fish•m-2 and 3 fish•m-2 (P>0.05). Survival rate (SR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not statistically different between treatments (P>0.05), which ranged from 78% to 92% and 5.0 to 5.9, respectively. Cost analysis showed high net returns for 1 and 3 fish•m-2 SD but low in 0.5 fish•m-2 SD. The feeding experiment study showed that feed types significantly affected weight gain, SGR, and SR (P<0.05). Snappers fed with trash fish attained significantly higher mean absolute growth (298.2 g) and SGR (1.81%/day) than those fed moist feeds (232.8 g and 1.61%/day, respectively) and formulated feeds (236.1 g and 1.51%/day, respectively). The survival rate was significantly higher in snappers fed trash fish (93.33%) and dry pellets (94.00%) than fed moist feeds (81.34%). FCR in trash fish, moist and dry pellet treatment was 6.4, 6.3, and 2.7, respectively. Cost analysis showed high net returns for trash fish and formulated pellet fed snappers but low in moist diet feed treatment. Cost-benefit analysis showed the feasibility of mangrove red snapper for freshwater aquaculture at a recommended stocking density of 1 to 3 fish•m-2 using trash fish, moist diet, or formulated dry pellet.

Performance of juvenile dusky grouper ( Epinephelus marginatus Lowe, 1834) fed different practical diets in an indoor water‐recirculation system

“…Present FCR values observed in treatments fed the reference fish meal diet (AQT) were lower compared with previously reported values for dusky grouper using dry or moist diets (López & Castello-Orvay, 2003;Ramos et al, 2012;Sanches et al, 2007;Sousa et al, 2019) and were similar to other consolidated farmed marine fish species (Aas et al, 2019;Company et al, 1999;Raggi et al, 2019;Rosenlund et al, 2004;Tacon & Metian, 2015). As expected, FCR was lower for dry diets compared with semi-moist and fresh fish diets, which is in agreement with previously reported for tropical carnivorous marine fish (Bunlipatanon et al, 2014;Ma et al, 2020;Raggi et al, 2019), including grouper species (Muyot et al, 2021;Nugraha & Rozi, 2020;Ramos et al, 2012;Shapawi et al, 2011;Sim et al, et al, 1991).…”

Title: Effects of Using Different Diets in the Growth Performance of Mangrove Red Snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus

“…The result showed that using trash fish, specifically on fish like the halfbeak and scalloped perchlet with no value in the wet market, significantly improved the growth and survival of mangrove red snapper since trash fish contains high protein content that is the primary nutrient requirement on the growth of the fish. The result was supported in the study by Muyot et al [15], that Mangrove red snapper cultured in a freshwater pond fed with trash fish exhibits higher growth and survival rate. The protein found in fish is of high biological value that can be used as a sole source of protein in the diet.…”

The global fish and invertebrate abundance value of mangroves

“…Three species of prawns account for two thirds of the total numbers in Southeast Asia, but fish are also a large component with Atherinomorus lacunosus, and Gerres filamentosus being among the most numerous. In addition to these highly abundant species, the model also contains species such as the mangrove red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) that, although making up only a small proportion of the total numbers, represents a particularly high-value species important across the region 42 . Given its extensive mangrove habitat, Indonesia has the highest totals, with this abundance shown to support livelihoods for communities across the country 43,44 and to have a critical role in food security and nutrition 45 .…”