Growth of spiny lobster in floating cages in Cayos Perla Wildlife Refuge, Laguna de Perlas municipality, RACCS, Nicaragua

Abstract

The common lobster (Panulirus argus) is a species with high commercial value in the Nicaraguan Caribbean. In recent decades its production has reached its maximum values, coupled with the fluctuations associated with climate variability and its use, demand the need to enter into complementary forms of production, such as aquaculture. In the Cayos Perla Wildlife Refuge, Nicaragua, the growth of 85 lobsters (P. argus), grown in a floating cage of 2 x 2 x 2.30 m, was evaluated during the period from December 21, 2018 to May 23 of 2019, fed daily with sardines at a rate of 7% of its weight. During this period the water presented average temperature values ​​of 28.5 ºC, pH 7.6, salinity of 34.4 g L^-1, turbidity greater than one meter and current velocity of 0.2 to 0.4 ft s^-1. Two stages of lobster growth were observed, 89 and 64 days, each. The first characterized by zero growth, density of 10.6 organisms m3 and high mortality at the end (39%); the second by a growth similar to that observed in its natural state, high survival (100%), with a density of 6.3 m³ organisms. The weight (W) - cephalothorax (LC) ratio of lobsters during cultivation was adjusted to equation W = 0.02788 LC ^2.2074. From the above it can be said that lobster cultivation in this region has a high potential.