The use of mesocosm technology on the mass production of juveniles Puntazzo puntazzo <B>The use of mesocosm technology on the mass production of juveniles Puntazzo puntazzo</B><P> P. DIVANACH(1), M. KENTOURI(1,2), A. STERIOTI(1)</B><I><P> 1 Institute of Marine Biology of Crete, Iraklion</I><EM><B></B></EM><B><P> Abstract</B><P> In order to screen the possibilities of rearing in <I>Puntazzo puntazzo </I>with mesocosm technology, a 60 m(3) out-door tank was filled with unfiltered sea water. 15 days later, when a bloom of adequate sized zooplankton <I>(Tintinnides, Favella </I>and rotifers <I>Synchaeta) </I>had developed, it was inoculated with 21000 larvae. During the first 23 days larvae fed only by the endogenous bloom. Then, when they became able to ingest <I>Artemia</I> nauplii, these organisms were added daily to the tank whose management became classical. Weaning with commercial feed began on day 82.<P> On day 130 of rearing, 9500 fry (44.5% survival) of 0.8 g mean weight and 39.4 mm mean length, 0% spinal deformity and 100% inflated swim bladder are collected from the tank. Biological results and rearing conditions were reported and discussed in terms of technology for southern Mediterranean zones, mainly Greece.<P>