Effects of fatty acid composition and spawning season patterns on egg quality and larval survival in common snook (Centropomus undecimalis)

Common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is a new candidate species for aquaculture. Its reproductive cycle has not been completed in farmed fish since knowledge of their behaviour in the wild and its reproductive physiology remains incomplete, and the only source of seeds comes from wild broodstock. This study was undertaken to examine the fatty acid profile of common snook eggs throughout the spawning season (May to September) in relation to egg quality and larval survival. The fatty acid (FA) composition of eggs collected from wild broodstock stripped on the field (2002–2005), was determined over the spawning season. In general the FA profile observed was consistent with that observed in marine fish apart from a high level of arachidonic acid (ARA) (3.68% of Total FA). The profile of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) changed over the spawning season (37.5%–29.4% Total FA) and egg quality was best in May, June and July. Eggs with higher concentration (13% of Total FA) of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were found to have higher fertilization, hatching and larval survival rate.