Rearing of spotted parrot fish Oplegnathus punctatus to market size in Chichi-jima, Ogasawara Islands, southern Japan

Growth, Survival and feed conversion of spotted parrot fish Oplegnathus punctatus under rearing condition were examined to assess the feasibility of aquaculture of this species in Chichi-jima, one of the Ogasawara Islands. Fish were reared for 254 days starting from 68 days after hatching (June 2003) until 321 days after hatching (March 2004). During the rearing period, water temperatures ranged from 20.3 deg C to 29.6 deg C (mean 25.3 deg C). These fishes were fed formula feed for red sea bream once or twice a day. Survival rate during the rearing period was 94.0%. Total length and body weight at 321 days after hatching were 26.8 +- 1.5 cm and 659 +- 106 g, respectively. Daily feed uptake and growth rates decreased during the rearing period. Feed conversion during the rearing period was 1.67 and to gain 1 kg body weight, about 362 yen per kg of fish in formula feed was required. These results suggest that spotted parrot fish can reach the market size within 1 year from hatching with excellent cost performance and therefore, it is a promising candidate for aquaculture in Chichi-jima.