Black snook (Centropomus nigrescens ) a native carnivorous species from the Eastern Tropical Pacific, has gained attention as a candidate for aquaculture diversification due to its fast growth, euryhalinity, and market potential. However, larviculture protocols remain poorly defined. This study aimed to evaluate larval growth and survival under pilot-scale hatchery conditions, identify critical biological and operational bottlenecks, and generate baseline data to support domestication and larviculture development of this promising species.
Two pilot-scale larviculture trials (ER1 and ER2) were conducted over 60 and 45 days post-hatching (DPH), respectively, at CENAIM-ESPOL in Ecuador. Fertilized eggs were obtained via hormone-induced spawning of captive wild broodstock. Larvae were stocked at 10 ind /L and reared using a pseudo-green water system with Tetraselmis maculata (1×105 cells/mL) and live feed. ER1 was maintained at 24.29±0.13°C and ER2 at 26.85± 0.18°C. Feeding protocols included enriched rotifers and Artemia nauplii or metanauplii , followed by gradual weaning onto microdiet. Larval growth was monitored weekly, and survival was calculated at the end of each trial (Figure 1).
Larval of C. nigrescens showed exponential growth, with significantly faster rates at 26.85°C (ER2) that at 24.29°C (ER1). Ontogenetic milestones occurred earlier in ER 2 (Figure 2). Final survival was 6.84–7.42% with no significant differences (P> 0.05). Mortality was mainly due to intracohort cannibalism and Amyloodinium sp. infections. Post-weaning juveniles showed high rates of skeletal deformities (lordosis), particularly in ER2. Despite these issues, 17,898 juveniles were produced across trials, demonstrating technical feasibility. Higher temperatures accelerated development, suggesting physiological plasticity and potential adaptation to tropical hatchery conditions. These findings provide a foundation for refining larval rearing protocols for C. nigrescens, supporting its inclusion in aquaculture diversification efforts in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.