The increasing distribution and intensity of hypoxia (low dissolved oxygen, DO), exacerbated by cold weather-induced stratification, eutrophication, and algal blooms, poses a significant challenge for aquaculture in regions such as the Gulf of Mexico and Florida’s Indian River Lagoon. This study investigates how low DO impacts early development and lipid utilization in two commercially important aquaculture species: the Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus).
Fertilized eggs from each species were individually incubated under three DO conditions: severe hypoxia (20% saturation, 1.6 mg/L), moderate hypoxia (50% saturation, 3.9 mg/L), and normoxia (100% saturation, 7.6 mg/L). At 24 hours post-fertilization, larvae were sampled to assess hatch survival, development, and fatty acid (FA) lipid utilization. Severe hypoxia led to complete mortality in Florida pompano within 24 hours, while moderate hypoxia altered body structure and oil droplet length, with significant changes in polar FAs. In red drum, moderate hypoxia affected body and yolk length, with neutral FA utilization most impacted. Specific relative percentages of FAs between each species will also be discussed. These findings highlight species-specific differences in lipid metabolism under hypoxic stress, offering critical insights for optimizing conditions in aquaculture hatcheries to improve survival and development under suboptimal oxygen levels.