Abstract
The evaluation of the performance of new species in controlled aquaculture systems is important to reduce the pressure on the wild stock and potential negative environmental and social externalities, by offering sustainable ways to supply the demand in the markets of these species. The rearing performance of yellowtail snapper Ocyurus chrysurus reared in a controlled aquaculture system with partial discharge was studied and discussed, to have a first approach to technical and biological performance indicators. In this study, two densities were stocked, D1: 10 fish/m3 (mean 258.3 ± 57 g) and D2: 20 fish/m3 (mean 235.6 ± 55.9 g) in three tanks (1.7 m3) supplied with seawater (range 20.5 – 30°C). Fish were fed to satiety with an extruded diet containing 46% crude protein and 12% crude lipid. The survival rate was above 93%. After 238 days, the mean weight was 534.5 ± 19.4 g and 606.9 ± 34.5 g for D1 and D2 respectively. The final feed conversion (3.13 for D1 and 3.03 for D2) did not differ significantly between densities. The exponents (b) of the length-weight relationship calculated for D1 (3.15) versus D2 (3.10) demonstrated a higher condition factor than their wild counterparts. This study is one of the few reports on this specie performance in juvenile stage in RAS.