The present work is a review of the literature on the native Mexican fish Dormitator latifrons. The aim is to contribute to the integration and systematization of current knowledge to make it easier to identify existing knowledge gaps and breakthroghs Moreover, promote the successful cultivation and protection of this species whose consumption is increasing in Latin America. A review of the articles related to D. latifrons published in international and regional databases was carried out. The articles reviewed focus on taxonomy and systematics, phylogenetic, geographic distribution, ecology, physiology, reproduction, development, pathology, health, and the technologies used to cultivate this fish species. The conclusion is that, even though the cultivation of D. latifrons is of commercial interest in some countries, there are still significant gaps in our knowledge of biology and, consequently, the domestication potential of the species. Filling these gaps will require systematic research efforts on protecting natural populations and improving mass cultivation techniques.

Un pez nativo cada vez más estudiado en Latinoamérica es el Dormitator latifrons, pero se desconoce el efecto de altas densidades de siembra en su fisiología. El objetivo fue determinar el efecto de diferentes densidades de siembra en el crecimiento y parámetros sanguíneos. Se utilizaron organismos silvestres aclimatados al cautiverio, alimentados al 4% de biomasa total durante 60 días. Se registró peso y longitud inicial y final, determinando índices de crecimiento y supervivencia. Al final del experimento se tomó una muestra de sangre al total de organismos para evaluar parámetros sanguíneos No se encontraron diferencias en el crecimiento y supervivencia entre las diferentes densidades. Los parámetros sanguíneos no fueron afectados por la densidad, a excepción del estallido respiratorio, todos se encuentran entre los rangos de referencia de buena salud para peces. La especie no presentó señales de estrés o respuesta inmune adversa asociada al incremento de la densidad de cultivo.

Consumption of wild mushrooms has increased in recent years; however, not all of them are edible and there is no precise information on those that may cause poisoning. Therefore, studies to obtain data about their toxicity are needed. For this purpose, we used the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana, a crustacean employed in toxicity tests and with wide application in the toxin detection, including mycotoxins. Mushrooms were collected in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, with which aqueous extracts were prepared. Dilutions of the stock solution of each extract were made to final concentrations of 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 µg/mL. Potassium dichromate (PD) was used as positive control and artificial seawater as negative control. The median lethal dose (LD50) of extracts on nauplii of A. franciscana was calculated. The aqueous extracts obtained from Amanita amerivirosa, A. muscaria, Chlorophyllum molybdites, and Leucopaxillus amarus showed a LD50 < 70 µg/mL, similar to PD (LD50 = 37 µg/mL). This is the first indication of the probable toxicity of Leucopaxillus amarus in humans. Cantharellus cibarius and Scleroderma texense caused the lower toxicity to the nauplii. The brine shrimp bioassay was effective in evaluating the toxicity of Basidiomycota. Scleroderma texense has been reported to be toxic, but it was not for this crustacean nauplii, and probably not to humans either, as recent literature has reported.

Aquaponics is the integration between aquaculture and hydroponics, where bacteria mediate the interaction between fish and plants, facilitating a mutually beneficial system. Although there have been numerous studies on aquaponics, there have been few studies focused on optimizing management parameters in small-scale systems for family farming. A key aspect is to find the appropriate culture density to maximize the production of both fish and plants. In aquaculture, introduced species have predominated due to their ease of management, great adaptability, and high growth rates; however, it is important to consider alternatives such as Dormitator latifrons. To determine the effect of density on the yield of D. latifrons and chard Beta vulgaris in an aquaponic culture, three culture densities of 10, 30, and 50 fish m⁻³ were evaluated in triplicate with a fixed plant density of 20 plants m⁻². Nine experimental units (EU) were implemented consisting of 300 L Rotoplas^® troughs, a settler (80 L), a biofilter (80 L), and a submersible water pump connected to a nutrient film technique (NFT) system that represented the hydroponic component. The results obtained suggest that an intermediate stocking density (30 fish m⁻³) could provide a favorable balance between fish and plant performance and fish health. These findings contribute to the knowledge on the culture of this species in aquaponics.

Dormitator latifrons is an amphidromous fish widely distributed in the Pacific slope from California to Peru. Although this species has a high potential for aquaculture, there is little information about the blood parameters of sex and growth stage. Eighty specimens of D. latifrons (40 males and 40 females in two growth stages) were used. They were placed in 1700 L tanks, one for each group, and fed with a feed for Tilapia diet with 35% protein and 8% fat. At the end of 30 days, blood samples were collected. Some blood parameters were determined (hematocrit, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, and A/G), and hematocrit percentage, glucose, albumins, and globulins presented significant differences between stages (P < 0.05). Total proteins showed differences only between males and females (P < 0.05). The hematocrit registered significant differences between stage and sex (P < 0.05). Differences between stages and sex may be related to a higher growth rate, differences in feed conversion, an increase in energy expenditure, and variations in hormonal levels. This study is the first to determine some blood parameters of D. latifrons under experimental aquaculture conditions concerning sex and growth stage.