Growth and physiological rates of Peruvian grunt Anisotremus scapularis (Tschudi, 1846): Technical bases for cultivation

Abstract

We worked with Anisotremus scapularis under laboratory conditions at different acclimatization temperatures (14, 17 and 22 °C). The results provide information on growth and physiological rates (oxygen and feed consumption, ammonia excretion) and optimal particle size of food. The species presented similar growth at 17 and 22 °C, reached the minimal catch size (24 cm) in 24 months at 17 °C and 22 months at 22 °C. Physiological rates at 22 °C were significantly higher (p <0.05) in comparison with 17 and 14 °C. These results indicate that probably the metabolic processes of the species are found with a sub-optimal performance in individuals conditioned at 22 °C. In that sense, greater energy investment in maintenance processes could compromise the energy available for growth. This study allow us to identify productive challenges in order to develop an aquaculture package that generates the impulse of the cultivation of this species.