Nutrition and feeding research in the spotted rose snapper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lutjanus guttatus</Emphasis>) and bullseye puffer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphoeroides annulatus</Emphasis>), new species for marine aquaculture

The spotted rose snapper (Lutjanus guttatus) and bullseye puffer (Sphoeroides annulatus) are fish species from the tropical Eastern Pacific for which controlled production of larvae and juveniles has been accomplished in recent years. Diverse topics relating to their biology and aquaculture production are currently under study, in particular the nutrition and feeding aspects required to formulate practical feeds and rearing protocols. Improvements in larval growth and survival are possible by feeding live food organisms with natural or enhanced essential fatty acids content and highly digestible artificial microdiets. The ontogeny of the digestive tract and the expression and activity of digestive enzymes have been described for S. annulatus larvae. The effect of various protein and lipid levels on growth and feed utilization has been studied in juvenile and on-growing fish. Both species have carnivorous feeding habits and require high levels of protein in their diets, from 40% to 45% (dry weight) in spotted rose snapper and above 50% in bullseye puffer, with the younger stages requiring the highest protein levels. Encouraging results have been obtained in feeding experiments with different sources of dietary protein from animal and plant origin to evaluate their suitability as feed ingredients in practical diets. Optimization of fish culture practices through feeding management has also been investigated. Trials with various fish densities and feeding frequencies in intensive culture systems are providing information to improve feed utilization and growth in on-growing fish. Further research is underway to evaluate factors in broodstock nutrition which have an impact on egg and larval quality, and into the use of various commercially available oil sources in on-growing diets. In this paper, the results on nutrition and feeding research with both species are reviewed and research needs to support their commercial production in the region are discussed.     

Microbial communities in various waters used for fish larval rearing

A major concern in larvae production is a mass mortality caused by fish diseases. In larvae production, pumped‐up natural seawater filtered through a sand filter system is used for fish rearing, and microalgae and rotifer cultures. Here, we investigated the community structures of eukaryotic microbes, as well as total bacteria and vibrios, in various processed ‘waters’ used in a larvae production site. We observed that ultraviolet irradiation of seawater was effective to reduce not only total bacteria and vibrios but also eukaryotic microbes. Moreover, the community structures of total bacteria and vibrios in rearing waters for fish larvae were different from those in rotifer cultures fed with Chlorella, but rather similar to those in natural seawater and microalgae cultures. These results suggest that the bacterial community in rearing waters may originate mainly from natural seawater and then be selected by microalgae in rearing water. Overall, this study provides useful information for avoiding the risk of fish disease outbreaks in a larvae production site.     

Effect of low salinity on the expression profile of Na+/K+‐ATPase and the growth of juvenile chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus Houttuyn)

Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus Houttuyn) is one of the most commercially important scombroid fish used as a food resource. Recently, there has been a demand for efficient rearing methods of this fish for a full‐life cycle aquaculture. In the present study, we evaluated the physiological responses in the juvenile S. japonicus to different ambient salinities. A significantly higher gain of the body mass was observed in the juveniles reared in 24 g/L and 13 g/L seawater than in those reared in natural seawater (34 g/L) within 40 days of the experimental period without affecting mortality. A principal enzyme for osmoregulation, Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase, was expressed in the ionocytes located in the gill filaments of the juveniles. The number and the cell size of ionocytes and the enzymatic activity of Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase in the gills decreased within 10 days after the low‐salinity challenge, which implies the reduction of the energy‐consuming active ion secretion under the low‐salinity environment. The physiological capacity for adaptation to low‐salinity seawater in chub mackerel could be basic knowledge to carry out culturing of these fish in coastal sea pens where ambient salinity fluctuates. The improvement of the growth performance by rearing in low‐salinity seawater will contribute to the efficient production of the seed juveniles for aquaculture.     

Mouth size and predicted food size preferences of larvae of three cyprinid fish species

Mouth size was examined in larvae and juveniles of three cyprinid fish species: grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Rich.) and bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis Rich.). A linear relationship was found between mouth size and the total length of fish, from the initial exogenous feeding stage up to 20–30 mm. Based on the mouth size, the size of the prey which could be consumed was calculated assuming 45° of mouth opening for optimum prey width and 90° for maximum prey width. Food particle size considered to be suitable for commencement of feeding amounted to 50–90 μm for silver carp larvae, 90–150 μm for grass carp larvae and 150–270 μm for bighead carp larvae. These criteria can be applied to moving rotifiers and nauplii as well as to the motionless particles of compound, dry diets.     

Cost comparisons of rearing larvae of freshwater shrimp,Macrobrachium acanthurus and M. rosenbergii,to juveniles

Costs were determined for rearing larval Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) and M. acanthurus (Wiegmann). Rearing was conducted in two phases. First-phase rearing (first 10 days) was conducted in conical fiberglass tanks with recirculated, filtered, brackish water; second-phase rearing (final 30 days) was done in aerated 1 000-l concrete tanks. To minimize water quality problems and debris accumulation in second-phase rearing, larvae were transferred every 4 to 5 days to a new tank of clean water. Larval food consisted of newly hatched Artemia and either freshly ground fish or freeze-fried fish.Mean survival in five M. rosenbergii rearing trials was 43% in 40 days at a final density of 12 juveniles per liter. Mean survival of four M. acanthurus trials was 25% in 44 days at a final density of 3 juveniles per liter. Average total cost of labor, operation (electricity), food and water per thousand juveniles produced was $3.56 for M. rosenbergii and $13.42 for M. acanthurus.Extrapolation of results to larger (3 000-l) second-phase rearing tanks showed M. rosenbergii rearing cost could be reduced to $\text{\$1.87}\text{1 000}$.     

Nutritional evaluation of live food organisms and commercial dry feeds used for seed production of amberjack Seriola dumerili

To improve the nutritional quality of live foods and dry feeds ordinarily used for the seed production of amberjack Seriola dumerili, the nutrient contents of rotifers, Artemia nauplii and commercial feeds used in two larval production stations were evaluated. For comparison of the nutrient contents, artificially produced larvae, wild-caught juveniles and wild zooplankton samples were also analyzed. The proportions of 22∶6n-3 in the polar lipid of the cultured larvae increased by feeding the dry feeds. The taurine contents of the cultured larvae reflected the contents of their foods (rotifers<dry feed<Artemia nauplii). The taurine content and the proportion of 22∶6n-3 in Acartia spp. were higher than in foods fed to the larvae. These parameters in the wild juveniles were higher than the cultured ones. The A/E ratios [(each essential amino acid/total essential amino acids)×1000] of the total amino acids of the live foods and dry feeds were similar to those of the cultured larvae, except for the lower ratios of histidine, arginine, threonine and lysine in the live foods. The mucosal folds of the intestine of the cultured larvae did not show typical signs of dietary phospholipid deficiency. These results suggest that requirements of nutrients such as 22∶6n-3 and taurine should be determined for mass production of amberjack seeds.     

人工控制培育缢蛏幼苗研究

本文探索采用缢蛏幼体实验生态研究的成果，控制缢蛏幼体各发育阶段较佳生态条件，进行人工控制培育幼苗研究，取得了较好的效果．单位出苗量为5．46万粒／M^2。至21．06万粒／M^2。，每公顷产量达8000千克至20000千克．这比自然海区正常年景蛏苗产量提高10-20多倍，从而显示出工厂化人工育苗的可行性和发展前景．文中也提及在人工控制培育幼苗中亟待解决的若干问题。这些为缢蛏人工控制培育幼苗进一步深入研究提供有益的参考．     

Combined effects of photoperiod and salinity on growth,survival, and osmoregulatory ability of larval southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma

The southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, is an important commercial and recreational marine flatfish that inhabits estuaries and shelf waters in the south Atlantic, from North Carolina through the Gulf coasts, with the exception of south Florida. Because juvenile and adult fish are highly euryhaline, it is a prime candidate for aquaculture. Methods for captive spawning of southern flounder are well developed; however, information on optimal culture requirements of the early larval stages is required for reliable mass production of juveniles.To determine the optimal photoperiod and salinity conditions for culture from hatching to day 15 post-hatching (d15ph), embryos were stocked into black 15-l tanks (75 l⁻¹) under four photoperiods (24L:0D, 18L:6D, 12L:12D, and 6L:18D) and two salinities (25 and 34 ppt) in a 4×2 factorial design. Temperature was 18 °C, light intensity was 150 lx, and aeration was 50 ml min⁻¹. Significant (P<0.05) effects of photoperiod and salinity on growth (notochord length, wet and dry weights) were obtained. Growth increased with increasing photoperiod and salinity and was significantly greater at 24L and 18L than at 12L or 6L, and at 34 than at 25 ppt. On d11ph and d15ph, significant interactive effects between photoperiod and salinity on growth (wet and dry weights) were also evident. Growth of larvae reared at 25 ppt increased with increasing photoperiod to a maximum at 24L, while growth of larvae at 34 ppt reached a plateau at 18L. While there were no significant photoperiod effects on these parameters, larval survival, body water percentage, and larval osmolality on d15ph were significantly higher at 34 than at 25 ppt (41% vs. 16% survival; 322 vs. 288 mosM kg⁻¹; and 84% vs. 76% water, respectively), suggesting stress and nonadaptation to 25 ppt, a salinity more nearly isoosmotic than full-strength seawater. Since larvae from both salinity treatments were neutrally or positively buoyant at 34 ppt, but negatively buoyant at 25 ppt, larvae reared at 25 ppt probably allocated energy to maintain vertical positioning, compromising growth and survival.The results demonstrate that growth and survival of early-stage southern flounder larvae are maximized under long photoperiods of 18–24L and in full-strength seawater. Longer photoperiods probably extend the time larvae have for feeding, while full-strength seawater salinity optimizes buoyancy and vertical positioning, conserving energy. The results show that early larval stage southern flounder larvae are not entirely euryhaline, which involves not only the ability to osmoregulate, but to conserve energy under reduced buoyancy. This is consistent with suboptimal vs. maximal growth of larvae reared at 25 and 34 ppt, respectively, under 18L (i.e., photoperiod×salinity interaction). This is also consistent with other reports that tolerance to lower salinities in these euryhaline flatfish increases post-metamorphosis when transition from a pelagic to benthic existence alleviates the need to counteract reduced buoyancy.     

Importance of various marine coastal habitats during the life cycle of Spratelloides delicatulus in Con Dao,the oldest MPA in Vietnam

• 1. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are set up to conserve biodiversity, but their design is not always based on strictly scientific considerations. Ideally, an MPA should protect all key habitats necessary for a marine species to complete its life cycle. The identification of these key habitats is complex, especially during the early life of marine fishes.
• 2. A widely distributed tropical and important low trophic‐level fish species, Spratelloides delicatulus (Clupeidae), was used to evaluate the significance of various coastal habitats for its larvae and juveniles in the Con Dao Archipelago MPA in Vietnam. Early stages (larvae and juveniles) were sampled monthly over one year (June 2016 to May 2017) using light traps in three main habitats (seagrass beds, coral reefs and harbour). The species was identified using morphometry and DNA barcoding. Age and growth variables were estimated using otolith daily growth increments.
• 3. A total of 3,581 fish were caught. The species was not found in captures between January and February, directly linked to the decrease in seawater temperature and was most abundant from April to June. For a subsample of 248 fish (7–38 mm standard length), ages ranged from 7 to 108 days.
• 4. Captures and back‐calculated birthdates using otolith daily increments showed that S. delicatulus spawns during the period of high seawater temperature, from March to October. The species colonizes all three habitats during the early stages (0–26 days old), with growth rate lowest on the seagrass beds. Nevertheless, the species occupies seagrass beds exclusively during the older stages.
• 5. The conservation of seagrass beds in the Con Dao archipelago is essential for protection of juvenile stages of this species but this habitat is presently not included in the MPA patches. Establishment of a continuum of protected areas linking habitats, rather than the existing patches is needed to conserve the complete life cycle of this species in the Con Dao MPA.

     

斜带石斑鱼生态优化与病害防控育苗模式的研究

本文报道了斜带石斑鱼生态优化与病害防控育苗模式的研究,研究重点为如何预防神经坏死病毒（NNV）的感染,包括：1、阻断病毒的传播途径,选择不带病毒的受精卵,并在布卵前,对育苗池、用具以及生物饵料进行严格消毒.2、保持育苗池水小生态相对稳定,使水体中益生菌成为优势种群,消耗水体氨氮等有害物质,同时抑制水体里有害细菌的繁殖.3、进一步规范仔、稚、幼鱼期的饵料系列及其配制,保证鱼苗的营养以提高鱼苗的活力和健康水平,提高其抵抗病毒病侵袭的能力,从而提高鱼苗的成活率.     

ACCELERATION OF DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH IN YOUNG GREEN ABALONE (Haliotis fulgens) USING WARMED EFFLUENT SEAWATER

Larvae and juveniles of the green abalone grow and survive well at temperatures in the range 20–28°C. A program of hatchery research with this species utilizing thermal effluent has been in progress since 1979 at the Redondo Beach Electric Power Facility, Southern California Edison Company. All life stages may be cultured in the effluent seawater with temperature regulation by admixture of ambient seawater when required. Using thermal effluent, growth rates of juveniles are increased by a factor of 1.5–2.0 over those reared at ambient temperatures (14–20°C) characteristic of southern California. The time to harvest for seed 1–2 cm is reduced from about one year to six months. While optimal temperatures for larvae and postlarvae fall in the range 20–24°C, juveniles are more broadly tolerant of heat and exhibit a growth optimum in the range 24–28°C. The upper lethal limit for juveniles is 31.5°C (LD₅₀, 48 hours). Postlarvae, juveniles and adults have exhibited no indications of unfavorable conditions in power plant effluent. Young adults at 1.5 years (4–5 cm) became reproductively mature and yielded viable larvae. Both hatchery-reared and wild-caught adult green abalone were conditioned to spawning readiness during winter months (natural period, spring-fall) when held in a mixture of effluent and ambient seawater at 20–24°C. Progeny from this research were provided to the California Department of Fish and Game for release in experimental plants. Approximately 30,000 juveniles were produced in 1980–81.     

Broodstock Condition and Egg Quality in Tiger Prawn, Penaeus monodon, Resulting from Feeding Bioencapsulated Live Prey

This study was motivated by the need to find a solution to poor egg quality and the resulting mass mortality of hatchery-produced larvae of the tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon. The approach adopted sought to improve the broodstock condition and determine its effect on egg quality using rates of fertilization, hatching and metamorphosis. Broodstock specimens were given four separate dietary treatments (D1–D4), all of which comprised squid and trash fish plus supplements. D2, D3 and D4 were supplemented with bloodworm, bioencapsulated bloodworm and a commercial broodstock diet, respectively. Tricalcic phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂) was used to enrich the live bloodworm. The bioencapsulated ration performed better than regular bloodworm and other diets. This was evident from the bioencapsulation results which showed the highest rate of hatching, survival of nauplii and larvae metamorphosing into zoea stage.     

Swim bladder inflation and survival of Mugil cephalus to 50 days

Excessive inflation of the swim bladder causes immobility and mortality of 12-day old larvae of Mugil cephalus and other marine fish. Increased aeration or mechanical agitation of the water in rearing tanks maintained the larvae below the water surface, and the swim bladder formed and functioned normally. Survival was dramatically increased. Two experimental production tanks, stocked initially with 15 000 and 20 000 larvae, at a density of 5.25 and 7.0/l, respectively, yielded 33.5% and 16.9% juveniles on day 50. Only an outbreak of ciliated parasites prevented both tanks from having survival figures of over 30%.     

A review of spawning induction,larviculture, and juvenile rearing of the fat snook, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Centropomus parallelus</Emphasis>

The fat snook, Centropomus parallelus, is a commercially valuable marine fish species with potential for aquaculture. This paper describes the development of technology for mass production of fat snook juveniles at the Experimental Fish Hatchery of the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, focusing on research about reproduction, larviculture, and juvenile rearing. Induced spawning of wild fat snook was first achieved in 1991 with a single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). There was a substantial increase in egg quality when broodstock was conditioned in maturation rooms and induced to spawn. Different dosages of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa) with saline injection and colesterol implant were also tested. As fat snook exhibits group-synchronous oocyte development, females could be induced to spawn (with 35–50 μg kg⁻¹ of LHRHa) once a month, resulting in up to four consecutive spawnings. Results of larval culture were highly variable at the beginning; survival rates were frequently around 1% until the juvenile stage. Several experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of environmental factors and feeding quality on survival and growth. With the improvement of the spawning induction technique and better larviculture practices, survival rates increased to 10–30%. Studies on the particular requirements of juveniles in terms of stocking density, feeding, nutrition, and environmental factors were also performed in order to improve growth rates and feed utilization. The present study demonstrates the feasibility of mass production of fat snook juveniles. However, further research is needed to develop cost-effective grow-out technology.     

Nutrition of Marine Fish Larvae

ABSTRACT

In the hatchery production of aquatic animals for aquaculture, livefoods such as diatoms; rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis and brine shrimp, Artemia salina, have been used throughout the world. However, such production requires large facilities, maintenance expenses, and labor to produce a desired amount of live foods constantly and reliably. Also, the nutritive value of planktonic organisms is occasionally variable, indicating that the dietary quality of these live foods varies with the content of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (n-3 HUFA). Therefore it is necessary to develop microparticulate diets as a substitute for live foods to further increase theproductivity of seed for fish culture. The nutritional components of microparticulate diets for fish larvae should be determined on the basis of requirements of the larval fish for proteins and amino acids, lipids and fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Moreover, the efficient development of microparticulate diets for the fish larvae has promoted the improvement of nutritional requirement studies. The present reviewconcerning the nutrition of marine fish larvae focuses on the proteins, amino acids, peptides, fatty acids, phospholipids, depigmentation of flatfish, stress tolerance of lipids, incorporation of HUFA in neural tissues, HUFA in egg and larvae, HUFA enrichment of live food, carbohydrates, vitamins, energy source during embryo and larval stages, enzyme supplement in microparticulate diets, and application of microparticulate diets inaquaculture.     

七带石斑鱼繁殖生物学及人工繁育技术研究进展

石斑鱼是我国南方海水养殖的主要种类之一,而大部分石斑鱼种类均为暖水性鱼类,养殖水温要求在15℃以上,限制了石斑鱼在北方的发展。七带石斑鱼是唯一一种可以在较低温下生活,被人们称为“冷水石斑”,适合在北方养殖,如今已成为中、日、韩三国海水鱼类繁育研究的热点。由于七带石斑鱼人工繁殖和苗种培育过程中有许多制约条件,其人工繁育仍未达到稳定大批量生产的规模。主要问题有以下几个：①雄性亲鱼难获得,数量较少,限制了苗种的大量繁育;②初孵仔鱼的个体弱小、口径小,对开口饵料要求严格,适口饵料极少;③稚鱼期鱼苗互相残杀极其严重,出现大鱼吃小鱼的现象。此外,还有卵质不良,仔稚幼鱼疾病等难题。本文简要概述了国内外七带石斑鱼繁殖生物学与人工繁育研究进展情况,并对其养殖过程中出现的问题进行探讨和总结,为今后开展七带石斑鱼规模化人工养殖研究提供参考。     

黄海南部近岸水域棘头梅童鱼仔稚鱼的分布和漂移趋势

鱼类早期资源特征对鱼类种群的研究和渔业资源的评估管理具有极大的价值.实验于2019年3月—2020年1月在黄海南部近岸水域设置47个站点,每月大潮期间使用仔稚鱼网采集仔稚鱼,揭示了棘头梅童鱼仔稚鱼丰度的时空分布特征和漂移趋势,采用广义相加模型分析环境因子与之关联.调查共采集到棘头梅童鱼仔稚鱼2385尾,出现在6—10月...     

Estimation of Arachidonic Acid Requirement for Improvement of Pre‐maturation Growth and Egg and Larval Quality in the Female Blue Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus; Pallas, 1770): A Model for the Anabantidae Family

This study investigates the dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) requirement from juvenile to maturation stage in an anabantid model fish, the blue gourami, Trichopodus trichopterus. Specifically we determined the optimum dietary ARA content to maximize juvenile growth and subsequent sexual maturation and to improve the quality of their eggs and offspring. Five experimental diets containing 0.02, 0.53, 1.05, 1.60, and 2.12% ARA (of dry weight) were fed to juveniles over 5 mo. The results showed that whole‐body fatty acid profile of broodstock significantly changed in fish fed diets of different ARA content (ANOVA, P < 0.003). The highest contents of 18:2n‐6 and Σn‐6 were obtained in fish fed 0.53% ARA, and a decreasing trend was observed with elevated dietary ARA levels. Monthly specific growth rate (SGR) measurements revealed significant differences in the juvenile stage, but the SGR of broodstock was unaffected by dietary ARA. Protein and ash content of whole‐body broodstock showed no differences among groups, while lipid content decreased as ARA levels increased. Maximum volume of the oocyte was obtained in the 1.05% ARA group, while the yolk sac size increased as dietary ARA increased. The optimum growth and survival of the larvae produced by broodstock were recorded in the 2.12 and 1.6% ARA groups, respectively. It was concluded that despite the presumed ability of freshwater fish to synthesize and meet their highly unsaturated fatty acid requirements, dietary ARA higher than 1.05% had significant stimulatory effects on growth of juveniles but no obvious influence on the growth of matured fish. Also, higher ARA levels (1.6–2.12%) were found to improve the quality of eggs and offspring.     

A comparison of larval production of the northern scallop,Argopecten purpuratus,in closed and recirculating culture systems

Northern scallop Argopecten purpuratus aquaculture relies on an efficient all year-round larval supply. Larvae are generally produced in closed aquaculture systems (CAS) using the batch techniques with periodical water changes. For instance, survival rates are greatly variable and can range from 0 to 80% making production of scallop larvae uncertain. The main goal of this study was to determine the feasibility of rearing scallop larvae in a recirculating aquacultural system (RAS), and secondarily to compare scallop larval growth rate and time length to reach the settling stage when reared with a traditional Chilean CAS technique and in a novel RAS technique in an industrial-like approach.Several batches of larvae were cultured in CAS and RAS. Larvae were fed on Isochrysis galbana cultured in 35-L tubular photobioreactors. Growth rates were significantly different (F_11,2840 = 274.66; p < 0.001). All scallop larvae cultured in CAS showed lower growth rates ranging within 4.49 and 7.30 μm day^?1 and protracted period of culture until settlement (at least 10 more culture days) than those reared in RAS (growth rates between 9.56 and 13.15 μm day^?1). However, final survival (from D-larvae until settlement) of larvae reared in CAS showed higher values than those values recorded for larvae cultured on RAS. Higher growth rates observed in RAS could be attributed to a reduction in daily manipulation of the animals and/or more feed availability as well as higher temperatures and a steady state conditions in water quality. Even though, the reduction in time for rearing larvae until settlement in RAS was high, the comparison between systems is more significant in view of the reduction in make up seawater from 100% of system volume (CAS) to less than 10% of system volume (RAS). Therefore, RAS was independent from daily water quality variation from natural seawater by increasing water retention time, and with that improve water quality steady state conditions. Results of this research show that a more efficient use of water and heating systems than generally used in the Chilean hatchery industry is achievable. This is an important result since it could lead to significant reductions in the cost of operating a scallop hatchery, however further work is required to accurately compare the two systems (CAS and RAS). The main result from this research is that scallop larvae can be cultivated using recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) as a method to increase production. The information reported in this paper will be useful for the improvement of scallop larvae culture techniques under controlled conditions.     

Effects of different diets and seawater systems on egg production and quality of the broodstock Babylonia areolata L. under hatchery conditions

The broodstock of spotted Babylon snail, Babylonia areolata, were conditioned in indoor tanks under two seawater systems (static system and flow‐through system) and five types of foods (fish, shrimp, squid, green mussel and formulated diet). High survival and good feeding was found from broodstock conditioned in all treatments of seawater systems and diets. All broodstock showed active behaviour with no signs of stress as exhibited by active movement and feeding, protrusion of siphonal tube and constant egg laying throughout the experiment. Two‐way analysis of variance showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the total yield of egg capsules, size of egg capsules, size of newly hatched larvae and growth of larvae among broodstock B. areolata conditioned in the seawater system and diet treatments, but there were significant differences (P>0.05) in the frequency of egg capsule laying, number of fertilized eggs/embryos per capsule, total yield of fertilized eggs/embryos and final survival of larvae among broodstock B. areolata conditioned in the diet treatments. We present initial evidence that the seawater system had a stronger influence on the egg production and quality of broodstock B. areolata than conditioning diets.