Effect of three diets in the experimental culture of the common snook (Centropomus undecimalis Bloch, 1792)

Objective. To evaluate the effect of three diets on the growth of juvenile common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) maintained in freshwater ponds Materials and methods. 108 juvenile of common snook were homogenous and randomly distributed in a pond, divided into 9 corrals of 50 m2. Three diets were applied (D1: commercial food for trout, 45% protein; D2: commercial food for cobia, 50% protein and D3: fresh fish, 17.52% protein). The experimental treatments were assigned in triplicate and diets were supplied in two daily doses. Biometrics were performed every 20 days to assess: weight, size, Length-Weight correlation, Feed Conversion Factor (FCA), Condition Factor (K), Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and survival; during 120 days. The results were evaluated with a one-way ANOVA, when differences (p<0.05) were found the means were compared by test Median Mood, otherwise a pos-hoc test was performed (Tukey HSD). Results. Applying the test of Mood Median significant differences were found, showing the highest growth with D2, where values of SGR=0.65±0.09 g/day; FCA=3.76 and K=0.81±0.06. Survival was D1=51.4%, D2=50% and D3=77.8% without inferring statistically among the different diets. Conclusions. The culture of this species in freshwater ponds with commercial food for cobia, is viable in terms of growth and weight gain.