CHYTIN AND CORNSTARCH EFFECT ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF WILD JUVENILES OF RED GROUPER Epinephelus morio

Gabriela Gaxiola, Carlos Maldonado, Gerogina Vargas, Adriana Paredes, Ana Castillo, Alvaro Barreto, Miroslava Zepeda
 

The effect of crab chitin and commercial corn starch on growth and survival of juvenile wild red grouper red grouper were evaluated. Three experimental diets: diet of chitin, corn starch and reference diet (without carbohydrates) were tested for a period of 90 days. The experiment was performed in 12 tanks with a capacity of 500 liters of water, installed in a recirculation system. The organisms were fed daily by providing semi-humid diet. Daily monitoring of temperature, dissolved oxygen was performed and weekly proof of nitrites and nitrates ionized ammonia was conducted to verify the quality of the water closed circulation system. Monthly for all fishes of each tank the wet weight, total length, fork length and height was recorded. No significant differences were founded in final wet weight  (mean value 189 g). The survival at the end of the experiment was higher with reference diet 97.5% and 95% chitin raw corn starch 92.5% fis