Effect of transportation time and stocking density on seawater quality and survival of Anisotremus scapularis (Perciformes: Haemulidae)

The transport of live fish for aquaculture is a key issue in the domestication of new species. National level programs were developed in Peru for controlled repopulation of Peruvian grunt (Anisotremus scapularis), reared in extensive systems or ongrown in floating cages, but these were limited by inadequate knowledge of the best transport parameters to ensure survival. This study aims to identify the effect of low-density (21.18 +/- 4.38) medium (31.77 +/- 6.57) and high-density in (42.36 +/- 8.76 kg m(-3)), corresponding to 6 (48), 9 (72), and 12 (96 ind center dot bag(-1)) ind center dot L-1 during the transport time (8, 10, and 12 hr), on survival. Also seawater temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N), ammonia (NH3), and ammonium (NH4) were recorded at the end of transport. Survival at 8 and 10 hr at low-density was similar, but decreased at 12 hr. In contrast, all densities showed a greater effect after 12 hr of transport with 61.11 +/- 17.35; 67.13 +/- 7.13, and 70.49 +/- 4.70% survival, respectively. Finally, the influence of the variables analyzed to contribute to survival and the sum of these, plus other parameters that were not measured, such as stress, leads to the conclusion of between 8 and 10 hr of transport time and not exceeding stocking density of 72 ind/bag (31.77 +/- 6.57 kg m(-3)) should be used.