First juvenile production of Florida Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) through captive reproduction and larval rearing in southeastern Mexico

The Florida Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) is an emerging species for marine aquaculture due to its rapid growth, high market value, and adaptability to captive conditions. However, the reliable production of hatchery juveniles remains a major bottleneck limiting commercial expansion. The present study evaluated the technical feasibility of captive reproduction, larval rearing, nursery rearing, and juvenile production of T. carolinus under tropical hatchery conditions. A captive broodstock maintained for over 3 years was hormonally induced with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), resulting in successful volitional spawning and the production of fertilized eggs. Larvae were reared under green-water conditions using Nannochloropsis sp., enriched rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis), and Artemia salina nauplii and metanauplii, followed by progressive co-feeding with microdiets. Mouth opening occurred at 3 days post hatching (dph), notochord flexion at 10 dph, and metamorphosis at 23 dph. Early juveniles reached an average body weight of 0.9 ± 0.4 g at 30 dph and were subsequently transferred to nursery systems, where high survival and sustained growth were maintained. Overall, viable juveniles were produced, demonstrating that T. carolinus hatchery technology can be successfully implemented under tropical conditions. These findings provide a practical foundation for juvenile supply and support the expansion of T. carolinus aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean region.