Physico–chemical water parameters variation in the floating cages of snappers (Lutjanus peru and L. guttatus) farmed in tropical sea

La variación de los parámetros físico–químicos del agua en jaulas flotantes de pargos (Lutjanus peru Y L. guttatus) en una granja marina tropical

S. C. Vargas–Machuca¹, J. T. Ponce–Palafox^1,2*, J. L. Arredondo–Figueroa³, E. A. Chávez–Ortiz⁴ and E.J. Vernon–Carter³

¹ Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit–CBAP y Escuela Nacional de Ingeniería Pesquera. Av. Tepic–Xalisco S/N, Ciudad de la Cultura Amado Nervo, Tepic, Nayarit. México 63000.

² Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos–CIB, Av. Universidad No. 1001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. * Corresponding author. E–mail: jesus.ponce@usa.net Fax ; (52) (311) 2118813

⁴ Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas. Av. IPN s/n, Col. Playa Palo de Santa Rita, CP 23000, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México.

Received 31^st of May 2008
Accepted 23^th of October 2008

Abstract

The water column in a fish farm was sampled at three depth layers to determine large and short term changes in water quality. The overall goal of this study was to determine the variation of nutrient concentrations in the water column in open–ocean floating cages with cultures of Lutjanus peru (Pacific red snapper) and L. guttatus (spotted rose snapper). Nutrient concentration (ammonia–N, nitrite–N, nitrate–N, and phosphate) were evaluated every fifteen days in the water column at three stations (cages) and two depths; likewise, several water quality parameters were analyzed daily (water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and Secchi disk). Analyses of water in general showed that no significant differences existed between the monthly concentration of nutrients from the control stations and depths. Nitrate was the nutrient with the highest concentration (2.83 to 3.56 mg/L); however, these values were relatively low and normal for these waters. The results show that when working with fish densities of 2500 to 3500 fish/cage and small quantities of food (60 ton/year) no impact is made on the water column quality in the floating cages culture system.

Keywords: water physico–chemical parameters, floating cage, snappers, sea farm.

La columna de agua de una granja de peces fue muestreada a tres profundidades para determinar los cambios en la calidad del agua a largo y corto plazo. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las variaciones en la concentración de nutrientes en la columna de agua del cultivo en jaulas flotantes de Lutjanus peru (huachinango) y L. guttatus (flamenco). La concentración de nutrientes (amonio, nitritos, nitratos y fosfatos) fue evaluada cada 15 días en la columna de agua en tres estaciones (jaulas) y dos profundidades. También, varios parámetros de la calidad del agua fueron analizados diariamente (temperatura del agua, salinidad, oxígeno disuelto y profundidad de visión del disco de Secchi). Los análisis del agua muestran en general que no hubo diferencias significativas mensualmente entre la concentración de los nutrientes de la estación control y las estaciones experimentales. Los nitratos fueron el nutriente con la mayor concentración (2.83 a 3.56 mg/L), sin embargo, esas concentraciones fueron relativamente bajas y normales para ese tipo de aguas. Los resultados muestran que cuando se trabaja con densidades de peces de 2500 to 3500 peces/jaula y bajas cantidades de alimento (60 ton/año) no se impactan la calidad de la columna de agua del sistema de cultivo de jaulas flotantes.

Palabras clave: parámetros fisico–químicos del agua, jaulas flotantes, pargos, granja marina.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge financial support from SEDER (Secretaria de Desarrollo Rural) of State of Nayarit, México, and logistical support from the Escuela Nacional de Ingeniería Pesquera, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit (UAN). This study would not have been possible without the contributions and support of Posgrado of Ciencias Biológico Agropecuarias y Pesqueras (CBAP) of the UAN. Thanks to Noé Pelkasten and Ygor Saenz for collaborating with field samples taking and for helping with laboratory analyses.

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