Abstract
We evaluated the optimal season for transferring juvenile greater amberjack Seriola dumerili from indoor tanks to sea cages. Four batches of juveniles were reared in indoor tanks (total length: 52-118 mm; body weight: 1.9-19.9 g) beginning in June, August, November, December 2010 and March 2011. We transferred these 4 groups to sea cages in August 2010 (June batch), October 2010 (August batch), January 2011 [two groups: A (November batch) and B (December batch)], and April 2011 (March batch). The fish were then cultured for 1-2 years. The group transferred in August (summer) died from red sea bream iridoviral disease 1 month after transfer. The survival of fish in the October (autumn), January-A (winter), January-B (winter), and April (spring) transfer groups was 88%, 68%, 21%, and 41%, respectively, at the end of the culture period. The time to harvest was shortest (617 days) for the juveniles transferred in October. Our results suggest that the optimal season for transferring juveniles from indoor tanks to sea cages is October (autumn) during a period of lowering water temperature.
