Aquatic development
2001 Epinephelus Tukula / Potato Grouper, The world's first success
Potato Bass or Potato Grouper is called Blue Large Grouper or Blue Body Grouper in Chinese. The main area of production is in Red Sea, East Africa, Australia and coastal Taiwan occasionally. The body is grayish-brown with 5 points in line. It is a large size grouper and is the No. 2 in the world. According to the record of catch, the largest grouper ever caught is 200 cm long and weighed more than 130 Kg.
In Southeast Asia, this species is mainly in net cage cultivation before putting into landside pond. It is carnivorous fish and feeds are mainly fresh small fish. It grows fast. After one year cultivation, it can grow from 2 Taiwanese Catty to 10 Taiwanese Catty; it is no slower than Giant Grouper, only that the Potato Bass has more beautiful colors.
Presently the fries for cultivation in Southeast Asia are caught from wilds and mostly above 2 kgs. So far, no record of 2 inches to 5 inches fries of this species. Landside ponds, including aquarium, the total number is no more than 400 tails. Australia has put it under protection.
We began looking for this species since 1996 and we are studying cultivation of it and we had first success in 2000 (in small quantity). By 2001, our research team officially succeeded in growing 10000 tails under our careful research. Presently we can grow 6 cm fries to 2 to 3 Taiwanese Catty within one year. The survival rate is 80%. In 2002, we succeeded 200,000 tails and they are 6 inch fries.
Presently we have succeeded in artificial maturing and natural egg laying of this species and the fries can nurture successfully and smoothly. The incubation rate is even higher than that of Giant Grouper. This success really encourage our team. This proves that the reproduction technique of Taiwan is top class in the world. In 2004, we have supplied the market with 1 Taiwanese Catty Potato Bass and are very welcome. As the damage rates in both airfreight and in case transportation is very low, the cost of traders can be reduced substantially. It is expected to take over the market of Yellow Grouper.
In Southeast Asia, this species is mainly in net cage cultivation before putting into landside pond. It is carnivorous fish and feeds are mainly fresh small fish. It grows fast. After one year cultivation, it can grow from 2 Taiwanese Catty to 10 Taiwanese Catty; it is no slower than Giant Grouper, only that the Potato Bass has more beautiful colors.
Presently the fries for cultivation in Southeast Asia are caught from wilds and mostly above 2 kgs. So far, no record of 2 inches to 5 inches fries of this species. Landside ponds, including aquarium, the total number is no more than 400 tails. Australia has put it under protection.
We began looking for this species since 1996 and we are studying cultivation of it and we had first success in 2000 (in small quantity). By 2001, our research team officially succeeded in growing 10000 tails under our careful research. Presently we can grow 6 cm fries to 2 to 3 Taiwanese Catty within one year. The survival rate is 80%. In 2002, we succeeded 200,000 tails and they are 6 inch fries.
Presently we have succeeded in artificial maturing and natural egg laying of this species and the fries can nurture successfully and smoothly. The incubation rate is even higher than that of Giant Grouper. This success really encourage our team. This proves that the reproduction technique of Taiwan is top class in the world. In 2004, we have supplied the market with 1 Taiwanese Catty Potato Bass and are very welcome. As the damage rates in both airfreight and in case transportation is very low, the cost of traders can be reduced substantially. It is expected to take over the market of Yellow Grouper.