Thomas Piecuch

 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.

 Sold as fresh or frozen filets of steaks  Sometimes whole gutted fish sold as well.  In the US, whole drum price is $ $4.63/kg  94% of S. Ocellatus is grown in China.  Israel, Mauritius, Mayotte, and US account for 3%. Graph Courtesy FAO

 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.

 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

 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.

 Fertilization and hardening of eggs occurs in spawning tanks.  Eggs placed in hatch tanks with 1000 – eggs per gallon of water.  Hatch hours at Temperature 70 – 74 degrees C.  Larvae can have developed mouths and lateral swimming after 3 days, 40 hours with higher temp.

 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.

 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

AdvantagesDisadvantages  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   The University of Alabama  DISL  Hugh Hammer