Red Drum Culture

1. Red Drum Culture Thomas Piecuch tlpiecuch@crimson.ua.edu

2. Sciaenops Ocellatus • Natural range extends from central Mexico to Massachusetts. • World Record 94 lbs. 2 oz. • AL state record 43 lbs. 0 oz. • S. Ocellatus is the only red drum type cultured.

3. Economic Impact • Sold as fresh or frozen filets of steaks • Sometimes whole gutted fish sold as well. • In the US, whole drum price is $4.19 - $4.63/kg • 94% of S. Ocellatus is grown in China. • Israel, Mauritius, Mayotte, and US account for 3%. Graph Courtesy FAO

4. Map of World Production

5. Life Cycle • Juveniles are very tolerant of low salinity while larvae are not. • Juveniles will hide in estuaries until they reach sexual maturity which takes about 3 – 6 years, although longer is more rare. • Red Drum naturally spawn in September and October • Spawns normally found from Gulf-Bay passes to 12 miles of shore. • Eggs hatch in 18 – 25 hours. Larval stage maintained for 2-3 days with yolk sac attached. • Juvenile Stage reached in 3 – 6 weeks depending on water temperature. • Juveniles are very tolerant of low salinity while larvae are not

6. Captive Reproduction • Broods left in tanks until sexual maturity reached, and then the fish are sexed and moved to a spawning tank. • Brooder sized preferred to be 15 – 35 pounds • 2 females and 2 males per spawn tank. • Recirculating systems preferred but some hatcheries uses open water systems • Parasite and disease common in these tanks

7. Spawning Tanks • Temperature and light manipulation is used to replicate annual cycle in 120 days. • Allowed to spawn for 3-4 days • Salinity 32 – 34 ppt • Temperature 70 – 74 degrees C.

8. Hatching and Handling • Fertilization and hardening of eggs occurs in spawning tanks. • Eggs placed in hatch tanks with 1000 – 12000 eggs per gallon of water. • Hatch 24-30 hours at Temperature 70 – 74 degrees C. • Larvae can have developed mouths and lateral swimming after 3 days, 40 hours with higher temp.

9. Feeding • Feed should contain at least 12% fishmeal and 35% protein. • Pellets should be small enough for the fish to eat, yet not too small or ground, as much will be lost. • Should be feed 3-5% of body weight until the fish reach 1Pound. Then 2 %. • Under best conditions, fish will double weight every 30 – 60 days. • Fish do not feed well in rain.

10. Water Quality • Dissolved Oxygen should be kept above 4 ppm for optimum growth. • Salinity should be kept between 25 – 25 ppt • Calcium should be above 150 ppm • Chloride 1000 ppm

11. Pros & Cons of Red Drum Aquaculture • Red Drum are very hardy fish and can survive and thrive easily in aquaculture • Can be easily ongrown in cages or pens • Can be easily harvested with seine nets • Grow and survive on a variety of commercial feeds • Fingerlings can be cannibalistic • Discharge can negatively affect surrounding environment • Foreign diseases from redfish can harm native fish. • Treatment of waste is tough Advantages Disadvantages

12. Acknowledgements • Food and Agriculture Organization • www.alearn.org • The University of Alabama • DISL • Hugh Hammer

13. Questions?