Production systems
Seed supply
While barramundi fingerlings are still collected from the wild in some parts of Asia, most seed supply is
through hatchery production. Hatchery production technology is now well established throughout the culture
range of this species.
Rearing fingerlings
Barramundi broodstock are held in floating cages or in concrete or fibreglass tanks. They may be maintained in
either fresh or seawater but must be placed in seawater (28–35‰) prior to the breeding season to enable final
gonadal maturation to take place. Barramundi show no obvious external signs of gonadal development and
must be examined by cannulation to determine their gender and reproductive status, although milt can be
expressed easily from male fish during the spawning season.
Barramundi broodstock are usually fed with 'trash' fish or commercially available baitfish. In order to improve
the nutritional composition of the broodstock diet, and prevent diseases associated with vitamin deficiencies, a
FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department
vitamin supplement may be injected into, or mixed with, the baitfish prior to feeding.