DIFFERENT DENSITIES OF COMMON SNOOK REARED IN MARINE CAGES IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Two growth stages of juvenile snook (Centropomus undecimalis) under three different densities were evaluated: 10, 20, and 40 fish m-3, in 2.5-m3 cages with 12-mm mesh. In phase I, snooks of 72.0 g and 21.2 cm were raised for 270 days. In phase II, snooks of 204.6 g and 29.2 cm were raised for 202 days. The average water temperature and salinity were 24.3°C and 34.5, respectively, at Santa Catarina Island, Brazil. The data were evaluated using regression models. Density increase did not influence survival rate, with 51.0% (phase I) and 88.7% (phase II). The density of 20 fish m-3 provided the best results, such as body weight, in the two phases, with 215.7 and 364.7 g, respectively. Water temperature was the main limiting factor for the growth of snook. Therefore, in a subtropical climate, it is recommended to start growing in the spring (> 24°C) and avoid handling fish when the temperature is below 20°C. Regression analysis on the final weight showed that densities of 24 fish m-3 could be indicated for common snook under the conditions of this study.