Different light intensities were tested during the larval rearing of fat snook (Centropomus parallelus) to evaluate its influence on survival and functional swim bladder rate. Newly-hatched larvae were obtained by stripping of hormonally induced broodstock, and were stocked in 32-liter tanks at densities from 30 to 50 L-1. Four experiments were carried out testing six light intensities: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1500, and 2500 lx, and total darkness as a control. Mean survival ranged from 0.06 to 16.0% and were significantly influenced by light intensity. Complete darkness resulted in 100% mortality after one week, larvae appeared to have starved since they had empty stomachs. The species has the characteristics of a visual-feeder. Survival was the highest at 200... |