Food demands of the growing human population requires the expansion of sustainable and efficient food production systems. Aquaculture is crucial to ensure a consistent seafood supply while alleviating harvest pressure on wild fish stocks. Aquaculture of hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus), a highly valued sportfish and foodfish species, could potentially alleviate pressure on wild hogfish stocks, while also meeting the increasing demand for this popular foodfish species in the seafood supply. Recent studies have defined initial culture methods for aquaculture of hogfish. While showing great promise, continued research is necessary to replicate results and improve culture efficiency. The objectives of this study were to define effective protocols for broodstock capture, transport, quarantine, harem formation, husbandry, conditioning, and induced spawning.
Broodstock were acquired by multiple methods and transported to the UF-IRREC. A total of six hogfish harems were formed. Broodstock conditioning and induced spawning were explored through photothermal manipulation and hormonal injections. Two hogfish harems were induced to spawn though photothermal manipulation and hormonal injections, yet no successful fertilization occurred. One harem was induced to spawn through photothermal manipulations while replicating natural hogfish spawning season, while a second harem was induced to spawn with injections of the product OvaprimÒ in a single dose at 0.5 mL/kg for females. Unsuccessful spawning observed in this study could be caused by improper harem formation, developmental dysfunction, no synchronization between males and females, or reproductive dysfunction. The results from this study will help refine and improve aquaculture protocols for hogfish and inform producers best methods for commercial aquaculture of hogfish.