Broodstock development, breeding and larval rearing of Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskal, 1775), a suitable species for farming in tropical waters

Standardization of seed production of the Picnic seabream, Acanthopagrus berda, was taken up in captivity. Broodstock development of A. berda was done in 6 m diameter galvanized iron cages during September 2020 to March 2021 using commercial feed (40% protein) supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Males with oozing milt were available consistently throughout the period while asynchronized maturation of female was observed. A pair of mature male and a female (oocyte diameter of 440 ± 12 μm) were induced using a dose of (0.25 ml kg−1) gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue and female was given a similar second dose after 6 h. Spawning occurred after 42 h of induction. Eggs were incubated in fibre glass tanks (100 L) in seawater (34 ppt) with gentle aeration. Number of eggs spawned was 0. 25 million with a fertilization rate of 88% and hatching rate of 80%. Planktonic larvae measured total length (TL) 1.7 ± 0.14 mm at 0 day post‐hatch (dph), started exogenous feeding from 3 dph (TL 2.7 ± 0.48 mm) when the mouth size was 180 ± 2.8 μm. Yolk sac was completely exhausted by 3 dph. Co‐feeding of rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis at 5 numbers (nos) ml−1 and nauplii of copepod (Parvocalanus crassirostris) at 3 nos ml−1 yielded better initial larval survival. Metamorphosis of the larvae started at 25 dph (TL12 ± 0.68 mm) and juveniles emerged from 35 dph (TL 22 ± 0.76 mm). This is the first holistic report about seed production of A. berda.