Will Coker
us
Sciaenops Ocellatus
 Wide distribution spreading from the Western Atlantic to
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Mexico and S. America
Found in sandy or muddy coastal waters and around
estuaries
Feed on squid, shrimp, crab, and small fish
Max weight recorded was 94.6 lb
2-6 lbs is the best eating size
Economic Importance
• Usually sold in fresh or frozen filets or sold whole at $4.19-
$4.63 per kg
• Also are raised for stock enhancement
• The major producers of red drum are China, Isreal, Ecuador,
Martinique, and the U.S.
Life Cycle
 Spawn during September and
October in the Gulf or the bay
area
 Females can lay >1 million
eggs
 The eggs incubate for around
24 hrs before hatching into the
larval stage. The current
washes the larva into estuaries
where they settle in the grass
meadows.
 Juveniles and young adults
stay in the estuaries until
they are sexually mature
around 3.5-5 yrs old
Reproduction in Captivity
 S. Ocellatus adapt well to captivity
 Broodstock: 4-6 fish of equal sex ratios are put into a tank
to spawn
 This controlled spawning can be produced throughout the
year by manipulating the temperature and photoperiods to
mimic the fall months.
 The eggs are gathered and transferred to either rearing
tanks or incubators to be hatched.
 Use open water and RAS systems.
Hatchery
 Once the eggs hatch the larvae
(2.2mm) are usually housed in
RAS systems.
 Generally ready to feed 3 days
post hatch (dph)
Nursery
 Inorganic and organic fertilizer
are added to small ponds to build
up the zooplankton.
 The larvae are put into these
nursery ponds where they begin
feeding on the zooplankton.
 Also put into intensive indoor
systems where they feed on
rotifers and pellet food.
 The larvae stay there until 30 dph
where they then reach the juvenile
stage.
Grow-out
•Juvenile s. ocellatus are
grown in either cages or
ponds
•Red drum fingerlings (0.2
g) are stocked at 1,000
fry/m3. As the fish grow, they
may be moved into larger
cages and the density
decreased to ~400 fry/m3
•Cages yield market sized
fish (1kg) in a year and
ponds usually take 11
months
Feeds
Feeding
 Larvae feed on zooplankton
 For optimum growth, fish
rotifers, and Artemia
 Red drum juveniles require a
diet containing 35-45 percent
protein and 12 percent fish
meal for maximum growth.
 Usually fed fish pellets
throughout their juvenile and
adult life
should be fed approximately 3
to 5 percent of their body
weight daily until they reach
1pound in which 2% will
suffice.
 Can potentially double their
weight each month
 FCR around 2.2:1
Water Chemistry
 Dissolved oxygen must be >4ppm for optimal growth
 The salinity should be kept around 25-32 ppt
 Optimal temp. is 25-30C
 Juveniles cannot survive temperatures below 8C.
Red Drum Aquaculture
Advantages
Disadvantages
 They are well adapted to
 Can possibly contract and
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thrive in captivity
Very hardy species
Many offspring
Not a picky eater
Fairely easily grown and
harvested
Can be harvested within one
year
spread many diseases (mainly
as exotic species)
 The young are sometimes
cannibalistic in nature so
grading is necessary
 Environmental waste