World Aquaculture Magazine - September 2021

32 SEP TEMBER 2021 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WA S .ORG with human consumption of many large-bodied, higher trophic level reef fish, including hogfish (Robins et al. 1986). The common name, which incorporates the term “snapper,” along with the high value of hogfish, has led to intentional mislabeling of lower-value seafood products as hogfish in foreign fish markets (Cox et al. 2013). Such a high- priced fish has the potential for large profits if economical aquaculture technologies can be demonstrated, which could also lead to a safer, properly labeled seafood product. Given the inefficiencies of the main harvesting method, spearing recreationally and commercially, and stagnant commercial supply, the full market potential of hogfish is likely not yet fully realized. Supplementing low supply markets with a cultured product should allow producers to command a premium price and increase their market share. Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus , cobia Rachycentron canadum , and red drum Sciaenops ocellatus are warmwater marine fishes that have been formally identified as aquaculture foodfish candidates for the US because they have demonstrated feasibility of culture and have been in commercial production for ten years or more throughout the world (McMaster et al. 2004, Faulk 2015, Kaiser and Holt 2015). These three species are still growing in popularity regarding commercial aquaculture in the US. Despite the high value, existing markets and negative natural population trends for hogfish, no information regarding aquaculture techniques has been available. Recently, basic culture methods of hogfish have been evaluated and results demonstrate the feasibility of culture following repeated research-scale culture successes. This success should increase aquaculture development for this species for conservation purposes and future foodfish production. Broodstock Collection Three methodologies were used to collect hogfish broodstock: angling (hook and line), scuba divers with nets and crab traps. Of the three, mortality was greatest using hook and line, especially with the largest fish. Survival of fish caught by divers with nets was high at capture but, following holding in tanks, fish had disease-related complications that reduced survival upon arrival at the lab. There was no mortality of fish collected as bycatch from commercial stone crab traps. Hogfish were acquired by angling using the services of Tampa Bay area recreational fishing charter boat captains. Fish collected via this method were extremely susceptible to barotrauma and required venting of the swim bladder when caught at a depth of 35 m. Fish were immediately vented and placed into live wells containing seawater and ice to cool the water. There was 50 percent on-board mortality. Fish collected during these trips were 10-18 inches in length and any fish captured >18 inches did not survive barotrauma. Fish were removed from live wells and transported to the University of Florida Indian River Research and Education Center Aquaculture Lab (UF-IRREC-AL) in insulated plastic (Bonar) boxes with a constant supply of pure oxygen. Generally, over 75 percent of fish captured during multiple trips and transported to the facility survived. Fish did not require anesthetics and were lethargic and lacked color during transport. One group of broodstock hogfish were collected by scuba divers in the Florida Keys. Fish were collected in less than 10 m of water and still required venting. Fish collected using this method were 7-10 inches. Fish were collected and then held at the collector’s facility in a flow-through tank systems that previously held other ornamental fish. No mortalities were experienced until fish arrived at the UF- FIGURE 4. Top: adult male hogfish with elongated snout, distinct mask coloration and light colored body. Middle: an assumed male adult hogfish that may or may not be undergoing trasnition from female to male. Bottom: adult female hogfish, distinctive characteristics are the short snout and consistent body coloration.