Optimal Culture Temperature for Larval and Juvenile Pigfish, Orthopristis chrysoptera

Pigfish, Orthopristis chrysoptera, is a candidate for aquaculture because it is a regionally popular marine baitfish and commercial production could increase its supply and reduce fishing pressure on wild populations. Identifying optimal conditions for pigfish growout is needed for efficient production. We investigated the effects of temperature on growth and survival from hatching to market size at five constant temperatures, ranging from 22 to 30 C. Larval survival was greatest at 22 C, but growth was slowest. Complete mortality of larvae at 30 C occurred by 6 d after hatch, suggesting an upper thermal limit between 28 and 30 C. For juveniles, growth in length and weight was greatest at 28 and 30 C, but there were no differences in survival among temperatures. The predicted upper thermal limit for juveniles is 35 C. Results indicate that maximum growth and survival would be achieved by rearing larvae at 24 C and juveniles at 28 C. Under this temperature schedule, pigfish would reach preferred market sizes of 7.6 cm (for bay fishing) and 15 cm (for offshore fishing) after 2.5 and 4 mo of culture, respectively.