Latin570 American Journal of Aquatic Research, 4 8 ( 4 ): 570 Latin-577, American2020 Journal of Aquatic Research DOI: 10.3856/vol48-issue4-fulltext-2452 Research Article Effect of stocking density on growth, survival and condition factor in tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus Gill, 1863) juveniles Leonardo Martínez-Cárdenas1, Miriam I. Hernández-Cortez2, Daniel Espinosa-Chaurand3 María R. Castañeda-Chavez4, Andrés E. León-Fernández5, Edna F. Valdez Hernández6 6 7 Carlos E. Bernal Rodríguez & Carlos A. Álvarez-González 1Secretaría de Investigación y Posgrado, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Tepic, Nayarit, México 2Licenciatura en Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Jalisco, Nayarit, México 3CONACYT-Unidad Nayarit del Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste S.C. Tepic, Nayarit, México 4Instituto Tecnológico de Boca del Río, Boca del Río, Veracruz, México 5Unidad de Tecnología de Alimentos, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Tepic, Nayarit, México 6Centro Multidisciplinario Capaz Arte, Tepic, Nayarit, México 7Laboratorio de Acuicultura Tropical, División Académica de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México Corresponding author: Carlos A. Álvarez González ([email protected]) ABSTRACT. Tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) is currently exploited regionally as food and commercialized in the aquarium trade. Natural populations of A. tropicus may already be negatively affected by anthropogenic alteration of the areas in which it is distributed. However, it is necessary to deepen the knowledge for the optimization of its culture. A. tropicus cultured in three stocking densities: 100, 200, and 300 ind m-3 (D4, D8, and D12, respectively) were used in the present study to examine the effect on growth, survival, and condition factor. At the end of the eight-week trial, D4 was statistically superior in weight, length, and SGR compared to D12. While D8 was statistically similar to D4 and D12 in weight and length. There were no significant differences in the survival and condition of the fish. The optimum density in the production systems generates the optimal use of resources and the increase in the profitability of the system. Based on the results, it is recommendable a stocking density of 200 fish m-3 for an increase in the profitability of the culture infrastructure for its production as food or ornamental purposes. Keywords: Atractosteus tropicus; stocking density; feeding; gar; aquaria; juvenile; tropical; aquaculture INTRODUCTION human consumption at a local/regional scale and as an ornamental fish countrywide. However, wild popu- Tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) it is considered a lations have been strongly impacted by changes in land living fossil. It belongs to the Lepisosteidae family, its use due to population growth, extreme climatic distribution in the tropical southeastern freshwaters conditions, pollution, and overfishing (Márquez- systems in Mexico, where it represents a food source Couturier et al., 2015), as well as the introduction of for local communities, although it is present in invasive species such as tilapias Oreochromis spp. Nicaragua, Guatemala and Costa Rica (Bussing, 2002; (Cassemiro et al., 2017). The improvement of A. Márquez-Couturier & Vázquez-Navarrete, 2015). Its tropicus culture can help the diversification of Mexican culture has been achieved in captivity where it has had aquaculture and alleviate illegal fishing, which can accepted artificial diets, while in the wild feeds mostly deteriorate natural populations (Waples et al., 2007). on fish and micro-crustacean (Miller et al., 2005; Their studies focused on innovative culture techniques Nelson et al., 2016). It is currently being marketed for that have been a successful tool to increase production _________________ Corresponding editor: Yassir Torres Effect of stocking density in Atractosteus tropicus 571 and protect native species (Pérez-Sánchez & Páramo- (3 mm gravel as filtration substrate) activated by Delgadillo, 2008; Martínez-Cárdenas & Purser, 2011). continuous aeration provided via an aeration pump ® Stocking density is a key factor in aquaculture that (Optima, Hagen ; Mansfield, Massachusetts) connec- has to be considered in the infrastructure planning for ted to flexible plastic tubing ending with 2.5 cm air this activity as impacts on fish performance (Oppedal stone diffuser. In each tank, a heater was set to maintain et al., 2011; Riche et al., 2013; Basto-Rosales et al., the desired water temperature. A 12:12 (L:D) photo- 2019). It can have an influence in various response period was provided (lights on at 08:00 h, lights off variables such as survival, growth and condition factor 20:00 h) by a timer-controlled cool white light 35 W of fish, and its effects can be positive or negative (General Electric Company; Fairfield, CT, USA) -2 -1 depending on the species, its life stage and the producing an intensity of 4.8 μE m s at the water system/practice adopted (Tolussi et al., 2010; Tibile et surface. Water quality for the experiment was al., 2016). A suboptimal stocking density can have maintained as follows: average pH 7.8 (range 7.6-8.0), adverse effects on fish survival and growth due to dissolved oxygen >75%, total ammonia nitrogen -1 -1 competence for food and space that can lead to (TAN) < 0.5 mg L , nitrite < 0.25 mg L , nitrate < 5 -1 inadequate food intake and conversion efficiency as a mg L . For the determination of pH, TAN, nitrite, and result of chronic stress (Ellis et al., 2002; Diana et al., nitrate, a colorimetric saltwater liquid test kit (Aqua- 2004; Ashley, 2007; Abdel-Tawwab, 2012; Akinwole rium Pharmaceuticals; Chalfont, PA, USA.) was used. et al., 2014). The temperature was monitored every 24 h while TAN, pH, nitrite, and nitrate were recorded every 48 h during Several studies have found that a high stocking the experiment. Tanks were inspected daily for density can be the source of that stress either for mortalities, and any excess food and feces were hierarchical interactions or an excessive number of fish siphoned to waste. been raised in a tank (Bolasina et al., 2006). The majority of the studies on stocking density, have found Experimental design a positive effect at low stocking densities and have been focused in freshwater fish species with commercial For this study three culture densities were tested; importance such as tilapia (Osofero et al., 2009; Yuan treatment D4 consisted in a stocking density of four -3 et al., 2010; Mensah et al., 2013; Daudpota et al., 2014; individuals per tank (100 ind m ), in treatment D8 were -3 Ronald et al., 2014), and African catfish Clarias located eight individuals per tank (200 ind m ) and in -3 gariepinus (Van de Nieuwegiessen et al., 2009; Dasuki treatment D12, 12 individuals per tank (300 ind m ). et al., 2013). These studies also have been conducted During the experiment the food provided was pelleted using low intensification production systems such as for juvenile trout "El Pedregal” that were 1.5 mm floating cages and ponds. A few studies have shown particles, consisting of 45% protein and 16% fat, a that a low stocking density triggers a negative ration rate of 2% body weight (BW) per day (dry weight hierarchical interaction (Chakraborty & Banerjee, pellet: wet weight fish) divided into two equally sized 2010; Shubha & Reddi, 2011; Aragón-Flores et al., meals (1000 and 1500 h). The mentioned trout diet was 2014). Finding an adequate density contributes to the selected because as it is similar to the actual require- optimization of production systems. A balance between ments of Atractosteus tropicus at the age tested in the the resources used, a product of differentiated quality present study (Contreras, 2008; Huerta-Ortiz et al., and environment impact was established, all this leads 2018). After a series of attempts, the ration rate of 2% to the maximum possible profitability for the producer. body weight (BW) per day (dry weight pellet:wet Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the weight fish) was chosen to achieve an ingestion rate effect on growth, survival, and condition of A. tropicus without waste. Feeding adjustments were calculated cultured in 100 (D4), 200 (D8), and 300 (D12) fish m-3. based on the daily mortality (assigned by the previously recorded mean weight) and weekly bulk weight per tank, (the rations corresponding to mortalities were not MATERIALS AND METHODS fed to the remainder of fish). The standard length was measured by placing the System design and general methods fish on a 1 mm scaled sheet covered with plastic. Wet A total of 81 juveniles (mean ± SD, standard deviation) weight was measured on an electronic scale and 9.15 ± 0.16 cm in standard length (tip of the snout to recorded to the nearest 0.1 g. Fish were not fed for 24 h the base of caudal fin) and 3.80 ± 0.11 g in wet weight, before each weighing. Standard length and wet weight were allocated to a 200 L holding tank at a temperature of individual fish were recorded on day zero. After of 26°C and a salinity of 0 g L-1. Each 40 L glass tank eight weeks, the surviving fish were counted. Their wet used in the experiment had a biological platform filter weight and standard length measured individually. 572 Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research These parameters were calculated according to the growth was observed among the treatments D4, D8, following formulae: survival (%) = 100 - (initial and D12, similar to the final growth data (Fig. 1). In number of fish - final number of fish / initial number of treatments D4 and D8, there were significant fish) × 100; length gain (cm d-1) = final length - initial differences among the weeks of the experiment within length / experiment days; in weight gain (g d-1) = final each treatment, while the D12 treatment between the weight - initial weight / experiment days. Fulton’s K last two weeks there was no significant difference in was calculated as K = (W × L-3) × 100, where W = wet weight (Fig.