Resumen de Short-tailed pipefish (Microphis brachyurus) juvenile culture: effect of stocking density on growth, survival and condition factor

Leonardo Martínez Cárdenas, Miriam I. Hernández Cortez, María del Refugio Castañeda Chávez, Fabiola Lango Reynoso, Edna F. Valdez Hernández, Jesús T. Ponce Palafox, Luis Daniel Espinosa Chaurand, Carlos Alfonso Álvarez González

• The present study aimed to test the effect of three stocking densities: 100, 200, and 300 ind m-3 (D100, D200, and D300, respectively) on survival, growth (weight and total length), and condition factor of Microphis brachyurus. At the end of the six-week trial, there were no significant differences in the fish's survival, growth, and condition. The results suggest that this species presents high adaptability under culture conditions. A suboptimal stocking density generates a suboptimal use of infrastructure and decreases the production system's profitability. Based on the present study, a stocking density of 300 ind m-3 is recommended to increase the aquaculture infrastructure's profitability for ornamental or conservation purposes.