Growth characteristics of cage-cultured large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea

Abstract

Large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea (LYC) is the most cultured marine fish species in China. We described growth characteristics of cage-cultured LYC from three typical culture districts: Jiaocheng (JC), Shacheng (SC) and Xiapu (XP) in Fujian Province, China. ANOVA revealed significant differences in average body length and weight among areas (P < 0.01), with Duncan’s multiple range test indicating fishes from XP had the best grow performance. Length-weight relationships for fishes from JC, SC and XP were: W=2.39 × 10−5×L2.99, W=2.22 × 10−5×L2.96, W=1.94 × 10−5×L2.98, respectively. All groups had isometric growth, with fishes from XP having the highest asymptotic length L∞ (34.9 cm), followed by fishes from SC (33.5 cm) and JC (27.8 cm). Trends in asymptotic weight (W∞) were similar, with values for fishes from XP, SC and JC being 748.3 g, 651.0 g and 484.4 g, respectively. Inflexion points of body weight occurred at 12, 17 and 18 months of age for fishes from JC, XP and SC, respectively. A significant negative correlation was apparent between fish fatness and water temperature (r = - 0.54, P < 0.05). LYC stock had faster growth and a smaller asymptotic size within an aquaculture environment compared to wild LYC stock.