Thermal physiology of juvenile white snook (Centropomus viridis): Implications for its culture

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Aquaculture in Latin America has grown; however, it continues to rely on a limited number of species, which limits its potential for diversification and innovation. The white snook (Centropomus viridis), a high-value species native to the eastern tropical Pacific, with strong demand in local and international markets, remains underutilized due to gaps in our understanding of its physiology. The present study provides the first detailed thermal profile of C. viridis, identifying temperature conditions that could enhance survival, growth, and aquaculture performance. After 30 days of thermal acclimation at 20, 23, 26, 29, and 32°C, 230 juveniles (46 per temperature; 15 ± 3.4 g at acclimation start; two replicate tanks of 23 fish each) were assessed for their upper and lower critical thermal limits (CT_max and CT_min), thermal window area, preferred temperature, and thermal metabolic scope (TMS). Tolerance to higher temperatures increased with acclimation temperature, reaching CT_max values of 36.9 to 41.9°C. CT_min increased from 9.9 to 16.4°C across the acclimation gradient. These results show a narrow thermal window area (228°C²). The overall preferred temperature was 27.3°C. The maximum TMS was observed at 29°C, indicating that this temperature may represent a thermally favorable condition for maximizing aerobic performance. These findings establish a crucial physiological foundation for optimizing C. viridis aquaculture and will contribute to the diversification and resilience of native species for future marine farming in Mexico.