Broodstock development and induced spawning of the John’s snapper Lutjanus johnii (Bloch, 1792) under controlled conditions

Abstract

Broodstock of the John’s snapper Lutjanus johnii were raised in sea cages from wild collected juveniles of the species. Individual fishes were tagged using passive integrated transponders (PIT), cannulated and gonadal biopsies were examined periodically for assessing the maturity status. The matured fishes were shifted from cages and maintained in indoor FRP tanks. Females were given two doses of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and ovaprim @ 800 - 900 IU kg-1 and 1.25ml kg-1 respectively. Males were given only hCG in a range between 400 and 600 IU kg-1. Two successful spawning were obtained with 80-85% fertilisation rate. In both the trials, embryonic development was observed to be arrested before hatching which could be attributed to nutritional deficiency of the broodfishes and high water temperature in the spawning tank.