EFFECTS OF DIFFERENTIAL LIPID LEVELS IN BROODFISH DIETS FOR GULF HLLIFISH Fundulus grandis SPAWNING IN INDOOR RECIRCULATION SYSTEMS

摘要

The marine baitfish culture industry is presently in early stages of development. Live bait has the advantage of immunity to pressure from overseas imports which has been a common obstacle in other segments of aquaculture. Gulf killifish have been identified as a species with high potential for success within this industry. Currently wild-caught Gulf killifish are sold in bait shops throughout the Gulf Coast; they are prized for their ability to tolerate a wide range of salinities and good life onthe hook. This hardiness translates well to aquaculture, where culture techniques have been well developed through research. Public interest in growing Gulf killifish has been gauged by surveys and encouraged through extension activities. One remaining limitation to successful culture is low fecundity. Commercial scale production of embryos requires maintenance of large numbers of broodfish, and a better understanding of the physiology of reproductive potential may help reduce the resources producersmust dedicate to spawning.