Culture of Marine Sciaenids in Low Salinity: an Opportunity for Expanded Aquaculture in Mexico
Keywords:
Aquaculture, Sciaenids, Euryhaline, Low salinityAbstract
The Sciaenidae is a highly diversified family of fish with worldwide distribution across warm-temperate and
tropical waters. Numerous sciaenids are cultured commercially in different regions of the world. Most
sciaenids are marine, but many representatives are euryhaline, i.e., capable of withstanding a wide range of
environmental salinities. Surprisingly enough, the family encompasses 25 strict freshwater species within six
genera. Evidence of the salinity tolerance of various species of sciaenids across the world is large enough to
suggest that commercial culture of sciaenids in low salinity is possible. In Mexico, among finfish families
subjected to fisheries in the Pacific Ocean, Sciaenidae contributes with the largest number of captured species
(24 species), while 13 species of sciaenids are captured in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Besides
the 37 species exploited in commercial fisheries, there are more representatives of this family in Mexico. For
example, at least 30 species of sciaenids are found in the Gulf of California alone. Taking into account this
richness of species, some have been evaluated as candidates for aquaculture, including totoaba (Totoaba
macdonaldi), the Gulf corvina (Cynoscion othonopterus), and the shortfin corvina (C. parvipinnis). All three
species have shown to be euryhaline. For T. macdonaldi, definite proof that it can be cultured to marketable
size in low salinity is presented. The information herein presented provides opportunities for expanded
aquaculture of sciaenids in Mexico, using a variety of water sources, such as brackish or diluted saltwater,
rivers, dams, or ground waters, perhaps in locations in which commercial culture was not previously thought
possible.
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