Volume 46

Growth Rate, Length-Weight Relationship and Condition Factor for Saltwater Grown Juvenile Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)


Authors
Deloach, W.
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Other Information


Date: 2005


Pages: 156-164


Event: Proceedings of the Forty-Sixth Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute


City: Fort Pierce, Florida


Country: USA

Abstract

A stock enhancement program was begun in 1989 to restock Biscayne Bay, Florida with red drum, Sciaenops ocellstus. This bay system had an extensive population of red drum that declined in the 1950s. Fish (41.7 mm SL, 10, (00) were stocked in ten circular fiberglass tanks (1500 1) at 525 fish/m3. Fish were fed daily on a 45 % protein dry ration and were stocked at a mean weight of l.4g and 41.7 mm standard Length. After eighty-nine days the population mean weight was 33.8g, an increase ofO.36g per day. Standard length increased by an average of 0.96 mm per day. The fish condition factor (weight x 100 I SL3) ranged between 1.65 and 1.78 and averaged 1.72 for the grow out. The 1engtb-weigbt relationship was 10g Weight = -4.5439 + 2.8867 (log SL). These observations on fish growth demonstrated that red drum can grow rapidly in saltwater tanks (33 ppt). These fish were tagged and released as part of the stock enhancement program in Biscayne Bay, Florida. (Supported by Contract C-6651 from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection).

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