Seed production and grow-out of sand goby (Oxyeleotris marmoratus) in Vietnam.
Abstract Pond area for broodfish ranges from 500 to 1,000 m2 with a depth of 1-1.2 m. Broodfish density ranges from 0.2 to 0.3 kg m-2. Fresh food such as snails, small prawns and fish are used to feed broodfish at a feeding rate of 3.5% of total body weight per day. Water exchange is done periodically at 20-30% of total volume per time. Sticky eggs of sand goby adhere to substrates. Hatching takes place 22-48 hours after fertilization. A suitable temperature is 28-29°C and pH at 6.5-7.5. Nursing fry to fingerlings is carried out in ponds at a stocking density of 300-500 fish m-2. After nursing for 50-60 days, they can reach the size of 3 cm. Large fingerlings of 15-30 g are obtained after at least 3 months of nursing. Continuing nursing up to 5-6 months gives larger fingerlings (60-80 g) for grow-out. Stocking density is 5-10 fish m-2 in grow-out ponds and 30-40 fish m-2 in cages. Fish, small prawns, snails and by-products from slaughterhouses are used to feed the fish. They can reach a marketable size of 500 g or more after 6-7 months of culture.