SPAWNING AND LARVAE PRODUCTION OF COMMON PANDORA, PAGELLUS ERYTHRINUS L.

Spawning of the common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus L.) in captivity was studied at ambient temperature (21.2±1.2°C) during the breeding season in 1998. Broodstock were cultivated in net fishpens and spawned in large fiberglass tanks (10 m diameter) between June and July. Approximately 33.2 million eggs were collected from 30 mature 4-7 year old females, 97% of which were buoyant healthy eggs with diameters ranging 753-801 µm. The eggs were incubated at 19, 21, or 23°C and development and morphological changes were observed until day 50. The best hatching rate (88.9%) was obtained at 19°C. Swim bladder inflation occurred 8-20 days after hatching. The average survival at day 50, at an initial density of 40 larvae/l, was 3.2%. Exogenous feeding began on day 3. Larvae were first fed rotifers, Brachionus plicatilis, and later Artemia nauplii. Larvae completed yolk absorption 78 hours after hatching. A green water environment was maintained by introducing cultured microalgae (Nannochloropsis oculata and Tetraselmis suecica). Larvae (13.3 mm) transformed into juveniles (18.71 mm) 29-37 days after hatching.