Artificial Spawning of Snook

Satisfactory procedures were developed for the artificial propagation of snook, Centropomus undecimalis, as were methods for capture, care, transport, and handling of the broodfish. Milt stored at 40' F. up to 12 hours was satisfactory for fertilization. Fecundity was determined to be approximately 45,000 eggs per pounds of body weight. Fertile eggs were bouyant at salinities greater than 2(1'/0<> Lack of agitation during the first 6 hours of incubation proved critical for consistent embryo development. Hatching occurred between 24 and 30 hours after fertilization at incubation temperatures between 82' and 87" F. Fry culture efforts were limited to intensive culture techniques in the laboratory.