Effect of immersion time of cultch on spatfall of the scallop Argopecten purpuratus (Lamarck 1819) in the Marine Reserve at La Riconada, Antofagasta, Chile

A pilot program to evaluate the feasibility of collecting juvenile (seed) scallops using Japanese technology was carried out from October 2001 to April 2002 in the Marine Reserve at La Rinconada, Antofagasta, Chile. The continuous presence of larvae in waters in the reserve allowed for collection of 400–15,340 spat per collector and showed the high reproductive capability of local scallops and the relationship between numbers of larvae in the water and amount of spatfall. Highest rates of settlement were proportional to high numbers of umbone larvae in the water at >5000 larvae m⁻³ when collectors were first immersed. Absence of a relationship between larval numbers and postlarval settlement with trophic factors such as chlorophyll and particulate organic matter in the water suggests that productivity was not limited by these factors. Harvest of spat from collectors immersed for four and five months had recovery efficiencies of 5.5% and 59.4% compared with settlement in collectors after immersion for one month. Cohort analyses of recovered spat suggested that settlement occurred over the lengthy immersion period and was due to the continuous presence of larvae in the water. The loss of a high percentage of spat over the 4–5 immersion period compared with settlement in the first month can be attributed to intraspecific competition of spat density and growth as well as clogging of the collectors by sediment and marine fouling that impeded a flow of water through the nets.     

Barnacle culture: background,potential and challenges

There are approximately a dozen species of commercially interesting barnacles worldwide, some of which have been cultured on a semi‐industrial scale. These species are listed and information is provided with regard to geographical distribution, landings and prices. Traditionally, ‘goose’ barnacles (four species) are considered to be the most important for consumption. World production already stands at 500 tonnes year^?1, but this species has not been cultured to date. Some ‘acorn’ barnacles are also consumed (seven species), with harvest levels per species that do not exceed 200 tonnes year^?1 and selling prices that can reach US$17/kg. ‘Acorn’ barnacle culture on a world scale is still developing. Nevertheless, production has occurred on a semi‐industrial scale; specifically, spat have been collected from the wild and grown in suspended systems. Farming trials have focused on two species of acorn barnacles: Austromegabalanus psittacus (Molina 1782) ‘picoroco’ in Chile and Megabalanus azoricus (Pilsbry 1916) ‘craca’ in Portugal. The large‐scale production of these crustaceans will depend on the optimization of spat collection from the wild and/or the parallel development of mass production technologies for larvae (hatcheries). In addition, further development will be achieved by opening up new markets for commercialization.     

Effect of water velocity on growth and retention of cultured Greenshell™ mussel spat, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perna canaliculus</Emphasis> (Gmelin, 1791)

The Greenshell^TM mussel, Perna canaliculus, is a commercially important species forming New Zealand’s largest aquaculture export product. Losses of P. canaliculus spat from culture ropes between larval settlement and the time mussels reach initial reseeding size (c. 10 mm) are common. To test whether water velocity affects growth and retention of post-settlement P. canaliculus spat, and whether there is a threshold effect of increasing velocities on spat migration, a laboratory-based experiment was conducted. Spat were grown for 8 weeks in experimental tanks on culture ropes at four velocities typical of velocities within mussel farms (40, 10, 4, and 1 cm s⁻¹). Spat migration was observed at all the velocities tested, but the number of spat migrating decreased as water velocity increased. Spat retention was highest at the 40 cm s⁻¹ velocity. Mean spat size increased significantly with increasing water velocity. At the highest velocity tested (40 cm s⁻¹), migration increased as the spat grew suggesting that migration was density-driven. The results of this experiment indicate the potential for mussel farmers to reduce seeded spat loss and to increase the growth rate of spat by modification of the water flow within their farms, or placement of seeded ropes in locations of certain existing water velocities, and indicate that velocities in the range 15–40 cm s⁻¹ promote higher spat growth and spat retention for P. canaliculus.     

Effect of water recirculation rate and initial stocking densities on competent larvae and survival of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in a recirculation aquaculture system

The present study evaluated the effect of initial stocking density and water recirculation rate on larval yield (percent of initially stocked larvae alive at the end of the experiment) and production of competent larvae (percent of initially stocked larvae alive at the end of the experiment retained on a sieve with mesh size 239 μm) of Crassostrea gigas in a recirculation aquaculture system (RAS). Different initial larval stocking densities (80, 160 and 320 larvae mL^?1) and water flow rates (100, 200 and 300 mL min^?1, totalling renewal rates of 60, 120 and 180 times day^?1 of water volume in culture tanks, respectively) were evaluated in 2.4-L tanks using a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme. The physicochemical parameters of the water (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity) were stable in all treatments during the experimental period. Our results demonstrated that the production of C. gigas larvae was feasible at the proposed densities. However, the water renewal rate affected both yield and competent larvae in the recirculation aquaculture system. Oyster cultures with densities of 160 larvae mL^?1 and flow of water of 300 mL min^?1 showed the best yield (89.34 ± 18.43%) and rate of competent larvae (84.09 ± 16.38%) and are therefore recommended with the aim of optimizing larvae cultivation.

     

The potential for Chilean oysters, Tiostrea chilensis (Philippi, 1845), from two populations in northern New Zealand as a source of larvae for aquaculture

The use of the Chilean oyster. Tiostrea chilensis (Philippi. 1845), for aquaculture has been hampered by difficulty in obtaining commercial quantities of larvae due to the low fertility of the existing broodstock of this species taken from well-known populations in Chile and the South Island of New Zealand. The larval productions of two wild populations of this oyster in northern New Zealand were assessed as potential alternative sources of broodstock for aquaculture. The study found both populations produced larvae from young, small oysters, and that a much larger proportion of the population was brooding larvae each year than has been reported elsewhere. The mean fertility of one of these populations, at 71 056 ± 3701 (SE) larvae per oyster, was the highest reported for any population of this species. The significantly higher fertility of these populations makes them well suited for further development as broodstock for aquaculture.     

Effects of water depth on survival and growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Argopecten purpuratus</Emphasis> (Lamarck, 1819) spat in northern Chile

Collection and suspended culture of Argopecten purpuratus spat in Japanese-type collectors was undertaken in the Rinconada Marine Reserve (Antofagasta, Chile) to determine growth variations between surface and bottom waters. Scallop spat was collected at 16-m depth and grown at 1- and 16-m depths. An initial settlement of ca. 13,000 post-larvae per bottom collector (2 cohorts) was observed on 3 February 2001. Two new cohorts settled in bottom collectors on 3 March, while no spat settlement occurred in surface collectors. The four cohorts exhibited substantial and different mortality rates over the study period, depending on the cohort and on-growing depth. The first and second cohorts exhibited mortality rates of 80.3 and 53.1% in bottom collectors, respectively, versus 29 and 43.6% in surface structures. The third and fourth cohorts exhibited mortality rates of 21.4 and 59.7% in bottom collectors, respectively. Mean shell height of scallop spat after 88 days of culture was 6.46 mm for the first cohort and 4.37 mm for the second cohort in bottom collectors, versus 10.33 and 7.31 mm in surface collectors, respectively. Mean post-larval growth rate in bottom collectors (86 μm day⁻¹) was significantly lower than growth rate in surface collectors (146 μm day⁻¹). Factors explaining the depth-related mortality and growth rates are discussed to improve scallop culture in the Reserve. It was concluded from the results that culture improvement in Antofagasta Bay would require collecting spat in bottom waters and raising it near the surface during initial cultivation stages.     

Yields of great scallop, Pecten maximus, larvae in a commercial flow-through rearing system in Norway

Survival, growth and yield of competent great scallop (Pecten maximus) larvae were investigated during a full production season in a commercial hatchery in western Norway. Broodstock were collected from natural scallop beds and 12 groups were induced to spawn during the period December 2002 to July 2003. Larvae were reared on a large scale in 36 flow-through tanks (3500 l) at 17±1 °C and continuously fed a mixture of five algal species produced in an indoor continuous-flow system. Large variations in larval performance between spawning groups and tanks were observed, but the results were as good as earlier results using the batch system and prophylactic addition of chloramphenicol. Growth from days 3–24 averaged 4.8 μm day⁻¹±0.8 (sd) and survival 22.4%±21.8 (sd). Mean yield of day 3 larvae was 7.1%±10.0 (sd) and 26.6%±25.9 (sd) for those surviving to day 24. Yield was significantly correlated to larval survival. Larval success was related to initial larval density, algal concentration and season. It was found that the best production regime had an initial larval density lower than 6 ml⁻¹ and algal concentration of less than 12 μl⁻¹ regardless of season. Seventeen tanks met these criteria and produced a mean yield of 0.5 larvae ml⁻¹ to settlement. Flow-through systems are currently regarded as the only feasible method for viable hatchery production of P. maximus larvae in Norway.     

The influence of different microalgal diets on European clam (Ruditapes decussatus,Linnaeus, 1758) larvae culture performances

The European clam, Ruditapes decussatus is a species with high commercial importance in Portugal and other Southern European countries. However, the development of R. decussatus culture has been limited by the highly variable patterns of natural recruitment. The development of hatchery technology will provide an alternative source of spat. The effect of six nutritional regimes on the survival, growth and biochemical composition of R. decussatus larvae were evaluated, aiming to provide crucial information on its nutritional requirements. A holistic approach incorporating all physiological response showed that the bispecific diet I. aff galbana and C. calcitrans (60/40 cell μL^?1) was the more adapted throughout larval development. Moreover, the monospecific diet I. aff galbana provided an overall good performance. Larvae cannot use C. calcitrans at early stages of development; however, the inclusion of these microalgae improved late larval development. The results obtained constitute an important first step in the hatchery R. decussatus larval nutrition and a prerequisite for future work on the improvement of larval development and the optimization of feeding practices that will maximize larvae yield and minimize cost in aquaculture hatcheries.     

Optimisation of larval culture of the mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">edulis</Emphasis> (L.)

The blue mussel Mytilus edulis is a commercially important species whose fishery and culture generally relies on natural spat collection. Hatchery-production could provide an alternative source of seed, enabling reliable expansion of the industry. Mussel spawning and larval rearing trials were carried out to optimise elements of hatchery production. Culturing fertilised eggs at low density (20–200 eggs cm⁻²) rather than high density (400–720 eggs cm⁻²) significantly improved the quality of first veliger larvae and differences in this improvement were evident between the eggs from different females (maternal effects). Veliger larval growth at 17 or 21°C was significantly faster than growth at 14°C. Feeding veliger larvae an identical total ration either daily or at 2–3 day intervals did not significantly affect their growth. Different microalgal diets (1: Isochrysis sp. (clone T-ISO), 2: Chaetoceros calcitrans forma pumilus, 3: C. muelleri, 4: mixed Isochrysis sp. (clone T-ISO) and C. calcitrans f. pumilus, and 5: mixed Isochrysis sp. (clone T-ISO) and C. muelleri) were tested on veliger larval growth and mixed diets outperformed single-species diets.     

Improving the fitness of Holothuria arguinensis larvae through different microalgae diets

Development and design of adequate feeding protocols on sea cucumber larvae are necessary for improvements on larvae growth, survival and production of competent juveniles. This work assessed the Holothuria arguinensis larvae growth and survival, fed with three different single microalgae diets of Chaetoceros calcitrans, Isochrysis galbana and Tetraselmis chui, and two microalgae diets based on a combination of C. calcitrans and T. chuii (C:T; 1:1) and C. calcitrans, T. chuii and I. galbana (C:T:I; 1:1:1) during 2 months. Holothuria arguinensis larvae fed with T:C:I, showed higher survival and larger larval and stomach sizes than the ones fed with the other diets. Comparing the results obtained from the single diets, H. arguinensis larvae fed with I. galbana grew and survived better during the first 5 days. However, higher growth was obtained on the larvae fed with C. calcitrans from day 5 to day 12; since this day, larvae fed with T. chuii showed the largest size. These results could be related to the different microalgae size and morphology, in addition to the nutritional value of the different microalgae used. However, no competent larvae that metamorphosed into doliolaria were obtained during this experiment. The tanks used were transparent, which could be causing light stress to the larvae, since competent larvae were obtained in opaque production tanks in our aquaculture installations during the same time period. The combined diet of C. calcitrans, T. chuii and I. galbana (C:T:I) could improve the growth and larvae competency of H. arguinensis.     

Mass production of competent larvae of the sea urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lytechinus variegatus</Emphasis> (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

We evaluated the mass production of competent larvae of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus cultured at three initial densities (0.25, 0.5, and 1 larvae per ml) and fed Chaetoceros muelleri. Survival, length, dry weight of larvae, and larval stage index (LSI) were estimated in each treatment as a function of the density. Density decreased during the experiment due to mortality, but the percentage was similar in all three treatments (68.5, 66.7, and 76.0%). The experiment was stopped at 13 days after fertilization, when most of the larvae were competent and had settled. There were no significant differences in survival (exceeded 65% in all treatments), length and larval stage index among treatments. However, larvae weight in the two low density treatments (1.1 ± 0.11 mg and 1.2 ± 0.05 mg, respectively) was greater than the high density treatment (0.59±0.376 mg). This study demonstrates that competent larvae of Lytechinus variegatus can be produced with less than 25% mortality in 13 days when cultures are started at densities of 0.25–1 larvae/ml. Culturing at higher densities (0.5–1 larvae/ml) had no apparent disadvantages and would reduce the cost of production.     

Towards development of large-scale hatchery cultivation of larvae and spat of the pearl oyster Pinctada mazatlanica in Mexico

The results of a series of pilot-scale runs with P. mazatlanica larvae from 2004 through 2006 are reported. Preliminary runs in 2004 and 2005 used broodstock collected in summer, when massive spawning of wild populations naturally occurs. However, results of larval development were very poor and failed to produce spat in both years. In 2006, ripe broodstock were still collected in summer, but also in the spring time, based on the hypothesis that the gonads in this season were in better reproductive condition that in summer. Three larval runs were conducted in 2006: two in spring and one in summer. Larvae growth and survival greatly increased in both spring runs, ending with two successful productions of spat (∼ 20 × 10³ and ∼ 100 × 10³ juveniles). The summer larval run in 2006 failed again to produce spat. Additionally, the first run of April 2006 refers to an experiment that evaluated two different larval culture conditions: constant temperature (27 °C) and low stocking density (3-4 larvae ml^− 1) versus variable temperature (24-28 °C) and high stocking density (8-9 larvae ml^− 1). The first trial significantly increased larval survival and growth, which in turn resulted in greater numbers of settled spat, in comparison of the second trial, where survival, growth, and settlement of spat were significantly lower. Also in 2006, the quality of seawater used at the hatchery was evaluated with microbiological and chemical tests. The implication of these tests, together with results from all experiments are analyzed and discussed in terms of the potential development of large-scale hatchery cultivation of P. mazatlanica larvae in Mexico.     

太平洋牡蛎与近江牡蛎的种间杂交

为了评估太平洋牡蛎与近江牡蛎能否产生远缘杂种优势,于2010年5月,以成熟的两种牡蛎亲本为材料开展了2×2远缘杂交研究,由长牡蛎自繁组GG(Crassostrea gigas♀×C.gigas♂)、近江牡蛎自繁组AA(C.ariakensis♀×C.ariakensis♂)、正交组GA(Crassostreagigas♀×C.ariakensis♂)、反交组AG(C.ariakensis♀×C.gigas♂)4个实验组组成。分析了子代早期表型性状和杂种优势,并对杂交子代进行了遗传鉴定。结果表明:GA杂交组与AG组的受精强度具有不对称性。幼虫浮游期间,表型性状的中亲杂种优势几乎为0,GA组生长与存活性状表现出积极的单亲杂种优势,而AG组则具有明显的远交衰退现象;幼虫早期表型性状受到母本效应影响,而后减弱。变态期间,GA组变态率较高,得到了大量杂交稚贝;而AG组变态率极低,仅获得了72个杂交稚贝。稚贝培育期间,稚贝表现出中亲生长劣势与存活优势;GA组具有明显的单亲生长与存活优势,而AG组则表现出生长劣势并具有一定程度的存活优势。利用复合COI及ITS2鉴定了种间杂交子结果表明:正反交组杂交子均为真正意义上的两性融合杂交子。实验获得了具有显著杂种优势的GA组杂交子,为现有牡蛎的遗传改良提供了新的方向。     

The effects of dietary lipid sources and lecithin on the production of giant freshwater prawn <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrobrachium rosenbergii</Emphasis> larvae in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam

The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is cultured widely in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam but it is often difficult or expensive for hatchery operators to purchase commercial diets used as a feeding supplement to Artemia nauplii. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of lipid sources and lecithin on the growth and survival rate of M. rosenbergii larvae were examined in order to develop suitable hand-prepared larval diets for seed production of M. rosenbergii in this area. Six egg custard diets consisting of various ratios of lipid (originating from soybean oil and squid oil) and lecithin were used for rearing Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae. Treatments in which larvae were fed diets containing squid oil exhibited the highest body length and survival rates (7.14–7.43 mm and 51.1–68.1%, respectively), and differed significantly from other treatments (P<0.05). Use of dietary soybean oil yielded the lowest body length and survival rates (6.29–6.75 mm and 22.0–48.7%), respectively). The supplementation of dietary lecithin did not increase final body weight but did improve larval survival rates. The n-3 HUFA content of prawns fed dietary squid oil was higher than those of animals provided with other diets. These results indicated that the most appropriate diet for rearing M. rosenbergii larvae is the diet containing 3% squid oil and 1.5% lecithin.     

The effect of density in larval rearing of the pullet carpet shell Venerupis corrugata (Gmelin, 1791) in a recirculating aquaculture system

The pullet carpet shell Venerupis corrugata is an economically valuable species in several European countries, however, nowadays stocks are under high fishing pressure. Hatchery production of juveniles for release is a major contributor to strengthen the stock and consequently improve the sustainability of the natural stocks. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of rearing V. corrugata larvae with different larval densities (10, 40 and 200 larvae per mL) in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), compared with the traditional larval rearing methodology (Batch). The mean survival, growth and metamorphic rate of V. corrugata larvae in RAS was higher (11.1%; 71.3 μm; 21.6% respectively) than in the Batch system, in all tested densities. The larval growth was not affected by the initial density until 40 larvae per mL, however, 200 larvae per mL decreased the larval growth in length nearly 54 μm. The larval rearing time was shortened in 2 days in the RAS system. The physical, chemical and microbiologic parameters suggested that the tested densities were not excessive to disturb the biofilter stability of RAS. The V. corrugata larval rearing performed at high larval stocking densities in RAS system present a reduction in the operating costs to produce this species.     

Growth,settlement and survival of Dicathais orbita (Neogastropoda,Mollusca) larvae in response to temperature,diet and settlement cues

The southern Australian whelk, Dicathais orbita, is a potential candidate for aquaculture, as both seafood and for bioactive compound production. Larval rearing experiments to determine the effects of temperature and diet on the growth and survival of D. orbita larvae under laboratory conditions comprised five different unicellular algal diets of two brown algal species; Isochysis galbana and Chaetoceros muelleri, two green algae; Tetraselmis seucica and Nannochloropsis oculata, and a mixture of all four strains for larvae maintained at 16 and 22°C. Absolute growth, specific growth rate (SGR) and survival were determined regularly. Larvae reared at 22°C on a mixed diet, or brown algae, performed significantly better than those reared on green algal diets alone. Preliminary trials with settlement cues were undertaken on different aged larvae to determine when larvae become competent. An array of natural cues (carrion, Xenostrobus pulex, adult mucus and Ulvella lens), as well as concentrations of KCl was tested. KCl(concentration of 20 mM) induced the greatest settlement, however, no larvae metamorphosed under the conditions provided. This study confirms long‐lived planktotrophic larval development for Dicathais orbita with higher development rates at the higher water temperatures. Further studies will optimize culture conditions and cues for settlement and metamorphosis.     

Growth,survival and fatty acid composition of Rhamdia quelen (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824) larvae fed on artificial diet alone or in combination with Artemia nauplii

Black catfish (Rhamdia quelen) is a species of interest for aquaculture in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding R. quelen larvae on either only an artificial diet or in combination with Artemia nauplii (AN) on larval performance and fatty acid composition. For 12 days, larvae were fed from first feeding (3 days after hatching, TL = 5.88 ± 0.23 mm) with artificial food only or a combination of artificial food and AN (co‐feeding). At the end of the trial, total length of co‐fed larvae was significantly higher than that of larvae fed solely artificial food (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in survival rates. Co‐feeding microdiet with a small amount of AN significantly affected larval fatty acid composition. Lipid and fatty acid composition of food and larvae revealed the importance of n‐3 fatty acids for growth of black catfish larvae and that, as most freshwater fish, R. quelen larvae can elongate and desaturate linolenic acid to n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids. Results suggest that R. quelen larvae can be fed from first feeding on microdiets as unique food source, although better larval performances are obtained by co‐feeding with a small amount of AN.     

Breeding and larval development of Holothuria mammata,a new target species for aquaculture

Sea cucumber commercial fisheries in the North‐eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea started in Turkey in the 1990s. Due to ineffective management practices, the sea cucumber resource was overexploited. Holothuria mammata is one of the sea cucumber species exploited from this geographical area, showing high potential for its aquaculture. This research was undertaken to develop the breeding, larval and juveniles rearing techniques for development of H. mammata aquaculture. Broodstocks collected from Ria Formosa (Faro, S Portugal) were successfully induced to spawn by thermal stimulation from July to October, yielding up to 6.95 million eggs/female. The eggs and larvae were reared and their development described. H. mammata showed the five typical larval stages of most aspidochirote holoturians. Juveniles stage was reached after 21 days post‐fertilization. This is the first work focused on the aquaculture biotechnology of H. mammata, however, further research is need to improve the survival of juveniles to ensure the future production of this species.     

Evaluation of larval quality of viviparous scorpionfish Sebastiscus marmoratus

The aim of this study was to develop an acute test for larval quality in the viviparous scorpionfish Sebastiscus marmoratus. Rearing experiments until day 13 post parturition were conducted to investigate the survival of larvae for 13 different batches, and tolerance to starvation of larvae was examined and expressed by the survival activity index (SAI). The morphological characters, enzyme activity, and swimming behavior of larvae on day 0 and 1 were also observed, followed by the correlation analysis between SAI. Larvae with high SAI (≥26) showed significantly higher survival on day 13 than larvae with low SAI, which confirmed that SAI is a reliable index that can be used to evaluate larval quality, similar to the former findings. The esterase activity (r=−0.713, P<0.01), swim frequency (r=−0.735, P<0.01) and swimming speed (r=−0.588, P<0.05) of larvae on day 0 were significantly and negatively correlated with SAI. It was concluded that enzyme activity and behavioral characters of larvae just after parturition can be a real-time index for evaluating the larval quality of this species.     

Effect of geographic origin, temperature and timing of broodstock collection on conditioning, spawning success and larval viability of Ruditapes decussatus (Linné, 1758)

Culture of Ruditapes decussatus is clearly limited by the availability of seed, as this production proceeds almost exclusively from natural recruitment. Artificial spawning and larval rearing programs could provide an alternative source of spat. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of different conditioning temperatures on the broodstock maturation, spawning success and larval viability of two geographically (north and south of the Iberian Peninsula) distinct populations of European clam (R. decussatus) collected at different periods of the year in order to create “optimal” artificial spawning and larval rearing programs. Two batches of clams from each population were collected in October and February, and conditioned at 18 ± 1°C, 20 ± 1°C and 22 ± 1°C. Of the three variables analysed the timing of broodstock collection was the most determining factor for gametogenic development, spawning and larval rearing. Geographic origin and conditioning temperature also greatly affected the spawning. The results also showed that the February conditioning was more effective than October and that the best conditioning temperatures were 20 ± 1°C and 22 ± 1°C for the northern and southern populations, respectively. These results suggest that the efficient conditioning temperature for each population of the same species is related to the seasonal temperature regime from their geographic origin. Larval viability and growth performance seemed to be independent of the broodstock conditioning.