Acondicionamiento reproductivo del pargo lunarejo Lutjanus guttatus en cautiverio para la obtención de desoves viables

Abstract

Ecuadorian aquaculture relies heavily on shrimp production, which has prompted the search for alternative species to strengthen the sector. The spotted rose snapper (Lutjanus guttatus) is a marine species of high commercial value and socioeconomic importance for Ecuador’s artisanal fisheries; however, its culture has been limited by the absence of reproductive protocols adapted to local conditions. The present study aimed to determine a reproductive conditioning protocol for L. guttatus under captive conditions at the National Center for Aquaculture and Marine Research (CENAIM), enabling the consistent production of viable spawns. The broodstock were captured off the coast of Santa Elena and subjected to quarantine, health management, and nutritional conditioning prior to their transfer to an aquaculture recirculation system (RAS). Reproductive variables, egg quality, and larval performance were evaluated under different spawning temperature ranges. Hormonal induction was ruled out due to its ineffectiveness and the appearance of adverse clinical signs. Under the RAS system, with thermal control between 28 and 29 °C, 28 successful spawns were recorded, yielding a total of 3,969,120 eggs and 3,333,500 floating eggs. Fertilization rates reached up to 100%, and hatching rates up to 91.66%. The average egg diameter (0.75 ± 0.02 mm) and lipid droplet diameter (0.15 ± 0.03 mm) demonstrated high homogeneity and quality. The results confirm that reproductive management without hormonal induction, based on environmental control within a RAS system, is viable and efficient for the reproductive conditioning of Lutjanus guttatus, laying the groundwork for its sustainable aquaculture development in Ecuador. Keywords: Lutjanus guttatus; reproductive conditioning; recirculating aquaculture system (RAS); temperature; egg quality