Red Drum CultureThomas Piecuchtlpiecuch@crimson.ua.edu

Natural range extends from central Mexico to Massachusetts.

World Record 94 lbs. 2 oz.

AL state record 43 lbs. 0 oz.

S. Ocellatus is the only red drum type cultured.

Sciaenops Ocellatus

Sold as fresh or frozen filets of steaks

Sometimes whole gutted fish sold as well.

In the US, whole drum price is $4.19 - $4.63/kg

94% of S. Ocellatus is grown in China.

Israel, Mauritius, Mayotte, and US account for 3%.

Economic Impact

Graph Courtesy FAO

Map of World Production

Red Drum naturally spawn in September and October

Spawns normally found from Gulf-Bay passes to 12 miles of shore.

Eggs hatch in 18 – 25 hours. Larval stage maintained for 2-3 days with yolk sac attached.

Juvenile Stage reached in 3 – 6 weeks depending on water temperature.

Juveniles are very tolerant of low salinity while larvae are not

Juveniles are very tolerant of low salinity while larvae are not.

Juveniles will hide in estuaries until they reach sexual maturity which takes about 3 – 6 years, although longer is more rare.

Life Cycle

Broods left in tanks until sexual maturity reached, and then the fish are sexed and moved to a spawning tank.

Brooder sized preferred to be 15 – 35 pounds

2 females and 2 males per spawn tank. Recirculating systems preferred but some

hatcheries uses open water systems Parasite and disease common in these tanks

Captive Reproduction

Temperature and light manipulation is used to replicate annual cycle in 120 days.

Allowed to spawn for 3-4 days

Salinity 32 – 34 ppt Temperature 70 –

74 degrees C.

Spawning Tanks

Fertilization and hardening of eggs occurs in spawning tanks.

Eggs placed in hatch tanks with 1000 – 12000 eggs per gallon of water.

Hatch 24-30 hours at Temperature 70 – 74 degrees C.

Larvae can have developed mouths and lateral swimming after 3 days, 40 hours with higher temp.

Hatching and Handling

Feed should contain at least 12% fishmeal and 35% protein.

Pellets should be small enough for the fish to eat, yet not too small or ground, as much will be lost.

Should be feed 3-5% of body weight until the fish reach 1Pound. Then 2 %.

Under best conditions, fish will double weight every 30 – 60 days.

Fish do not feed well in rain.

Feeding

Dissolved Oxygen should be kept above 4 ppm for optimum growth.

Salinity should be kept between 25 – 25 ppt

Calcium should be above 150 ppm

Chloride 1000 ppm

Water Quality

Pros & Cons of Red Drum AquacultureAdvantages Disadvantages

Red Drum are very hardy fish and can survive and thrive easily in aquaculture

Can be easily ongrown in cages or pens

Can be easily harvested with seine nets

Grow and survive on a variety of commercial feeds

Fingerlings can be cannibalistic

Discharge can negatively affect surrounding environment

Foreign diseases from redfish can harm native fish.

Treatment of waste is tough

Food and Agriculture Organization www.alearn.org The University of Alabama DISL Hugh Hammer

Acknowledgements

Questions?