Evaluation of three balanced feeds for fattening juvenile spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus (Pisces: Lutjanidae) in Nayarit, Mexico

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of three commercially-available feeds (currently used for shrimp, mackerel, and sea bass) on young spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus. One hundred and twenty wild juveniles were captured along the coast of Nayarit near Sayulita beach. The specific growth rate (SGR% g/day) and Food Conversion Factor (FCF) were evaluated over 60 days. One hundred and twenty wild juveniles in four 150 L tanks per treatment with 10 fish per tank were used. The initial length and wet weight for animals fed with food for shrimp, mackerel, or sea bass were 16.7 ± 0.68, 16.8 ± 1.14, and 16.4 ± 1.19 cm, respectively, and initial wet weight 119.1 ± 18.56, 115.5 ± 21.29, and 87.4 ± 21 g/animal, respectively. SGR and FCF changed throughout the experiments, with higher values in SGR in animals fed the sea bass feed (1.02% g/day; and lower of FCF (1.4:1)). Lower values of SGR were observed in fish fed with shrimp food, 0.45% g /day, although they had a higher FCF value (2.5:1). An intermediate SGR value was recorded in animals fed the mackerel feed (0.5% g/day), with higher FCF (4.43:1). All the experimental conditions were similar for all the treatments, suggesting that fish were only affected by the type of feed used. Consequently, we conclude that the feed currently used for sea bass can be recommended as feed for L. guttatus, at least when animals are maintained under conditions similar to those present in this study.