An evaluation of two types of containers for the artificial incubation of Oreochromis eggs

Abstract. Conical and round-bottomed incubating containers were evaluated for efficiency in producing Oreochromis fry. For Orcochromis niloticus (L.) and Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters): 0-, 12-, 24-, 48- and 72-h-old egg clutches were artificially incubated at 28°C in conical and round-bottomed containers. Hatching occurred within 72–84h and 90–102h after fertilization respectively compared to 96–120h for naturally incubated egg clutches. No significant differences (P > 0·05) were found between the hatch and survival rates of O. niloticus and O. mossambicus fry or between fry from the various ages of eggs. The type of containers, however, significantly (P < 0·05) influenced the hatchability and survival rates, the overall survival rate from fertilization being 60% and 85% for conical and round-bottomed containers respectively. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed. The feasibility of using the superior round-bottomed containers for artificial egg and fry incubation and the advantages for broodstock management to mass produce Oreochromis fry are discussed.     

Effects of sex ratio and feed quality on mass production of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), fry

Two experiments were conducted on Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), in laboratory fibreglass tanks. The first experiment aimed to test the effects of four different sex ratios, which ranged from two to five females to one male, on mass production of fry. The lowest sex ratio (two females to one male) gave significantly the highest production, while the highest sex ratio (five females to one male) gave the lowest. The objective of the second experiment was to compare the effects of different diets which varied with regard to feed components (natural versus artificial). The diet composed of animal-plant protein (the standard artificial diet) in addition to natural food (65% phytoplankton and 35% zooplankton) gave significantly the highest fry production and the highest breeders’growth. Exclusively standard artificial diet gave significantly better fry production and better breeders’growth over the rest of tested diets except the above-mentioned one. The addition of natural food to the artificial diet enhanced fry production as well as the breeders’growth, and the better the quality of the artificial feed, the better the results obtained.     

Effects of stripping time on the success of the artificial incubation of white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet), eggs

One of the main limiting factors in the use of artificial incubation techniques on crayfish farms has been the widespread belief that eggs should be stripped from females in the late stages of embryogenesis. In order to disprove this idea, three different times for egg removal were tested in white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet): (1) just before the gastrulation process (mean degree days= 335, 34 days after spawning); (2) when the embryo was between the closing of the blastopore and the appearance of mandibular rudiments (mean degree days= 524, 56 days after spawning); and (3) when the embryo had thoracic appendage rudiments (mean degree days= 810, 92 days after spawning). The results showed that it is possible to attain acceptable survival rates up to juvenile stage 2 (51%), even when eggs have been detached at the earliest time (34 days after spawning), in such a way that artificial incubation is used for more than three-quarters (75.7%) of the total duration of the embryonic development. Factors such as the incubation device, water quality and incubation conditions have a major influence on the success of the process. Finally, a critical period was observed during the last stages of development in the present study, particularly between the eyed stage and juvenile stage 2, with mortality rates of between 26.7% and 56%.     

Influence of egg size on the growth,onset of feeding,point-of-no-return,and survival of unfed Oreochromis mossambicus fry

The variation in egg size within and between egg clutches of O. mossambicus, and the subsequent influence of mean egg size on growth, feeding incidence and survival of unfed fry were investigated.The individual egg sizes within 90% of the egg clutches examined were normally distributed and the coefficient of variation of egg size within clutches ranged from 7.4% to 15.4%. Fry emerging from the small, medium and large egg size groups reached their maximum length and weight at 9, 9 and 12 days after hatching, respectively. Maximum attainable fry length and weight were significantly correlated with egg size (r = 0.885 and 0.947, respectively, with P < 0.01).Egg size had little influence on the onset of feeding. Fry were capable of exogenous feeding within 6 to 7 days of hatching. Fry originating from small and medium egg size classes reached the point-of-no-return at 15–16 days after hatching compared to 21 days for fry from the large egg size class. The mean survival time (ST₅₀) of fry on their yolk reserves was significantly correlated (r = 0.923; P < 0.01) with their original mean egg weight and ranged from 9.5 days for fry hatching from 0.91-mg eggs to 21 days for fry from 1.93-mg eggs.     

Sustained, Natural Spawning of Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma Under an Extended Photothermal Regime

Hormone‐induced spawning of southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma has produced substantial numbers of viable eggs, but wide variations in fertilization and hatch rates have been reported. Recently, sustained natural spawning of southern flounder broodstock, without hormone induction, has been achieved in our laboratory. Adults (average weight = 1.12 kg; N= 25), including 6 captured as juveniles in 1993 and 19 captured as adults during September 1998, were stocked in two 4.8‐m³ controlled‐environment tanks in October 1998 and held under natural photothermal conditions until January 1999, when an artificial winter photo‐period of 10 L:14 D was initiated and then maintained through April 1999. Sex ratio was approximately 13 females:8 males:7 unknown. Natural spawning was observed in early December 1998 and increased in frequency to a peak in March 1999, before declining in late April. Water temperature ranged from 13.9 to 24.5 C during the spawning period. Natural spawnings over 142 d produced a total of 18.3 × 10⁶ eggs, with a mean fertilization rate of 28.0% (range = 0–100%), yielding 4.94 × 10⁶ fertilized eggs. The mean percentage of eggs that remained buoyant in full‐strength seawater (34 ppt) was 41.3% (0–98%), while hatching rate of buoyant eggs was 37.3% (0–99%) and survival of yolksac larvae to the first‐feeding stage was 30.2% (0–100%). Gonadal biopsies in late April identified six females from both tanks as probable spawners. A preliminary comparison suggests that natural spawning produced much larger numbers of viable eggs per female, with higher egg quality (i.e., fertilization and hatching success) than hormone‐induced spawning. In contrast to natural spawning, hormone‐induced strip‐spawning enabled timing of spawnings to be more precisely controlled. These results suggest that a combination of both natural and hormone‐induced spawning of photothermally conditioned fish will help produce the large numbers of eggs required to support commercial production.     

Improving spawning synchrony in the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Abstract. The development stage and number of seed (eggs and fry) removed from individual incubating Oreochromis niloticus (L.) broodfish at 10-day interharvest intervals (IHI) was compared with the harvest of free-swimming fry from undisturbed fish held in a tank within the same system. Spawning synchrony and productivity were compared for (1) total exchange of females for ‘conditioned’ females after each harvest, (2) exchange of only spawned females, and (3) return of females back into the spawning tank. Improved synchrony and seed production were positively related to removal of eggs and fry from incubating females and could have important implications for broodstock management in commercial hatcheries. Allowing fish to remain undisturbed in clear water tanks may lead to inhibition of spawning activity related to the formation of hierarchies. Individual weight loss by females during incubation was correlated with stage of seed harvested and thus with timing of spawning during the interharvest interval.     

Salinity tolerance of Nile tilapia fry (Oreochromis niloticus), spawned and hatched at various salinities

Fertilized eggs of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) spawned in freshwater, were removed from mouthbrooding females, 1 day post-spawning and artificially incubated at elevated salinities. At 6 days post-hatching, mean survivals of 85.5, 84.4, 82.5, 56.3, 37.9, 20.0 and 0% were recorded for broods incubated at salinities of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 32 ppt, respectively. Fertilized eggs exhibited a 96-h median lethal salinity (MLS-96) of 18.9 ppt, a value identical to that of 7- to 120-day-old fry and fingerlings. Fertilized eggs exhibited a higher median survival time (ST₅₀ = 978 min) than 7- to 395-day-old fry and fingerlings (ST₅₀ = 28.8–179.0 min).The salinity tolerances of fry spawned at various salinities and fry spawned in freshwater but hatched at various salinities, were determined using the median survival time (ST₅₀), mean survival time (MST) and 96 h-median lethal salinity (MLS-96) indices. For comparative purposes, fry spawned and hatched in freshwater were acclimatized to various salinities and their salinity tolerance determined. Fry salinity tolerance progressively increased with increasing salinity of spawning, hatching, or acclimatization. However, at equivalent salinity, early exposure (spawning) produced progeny of comparatively higher salinity tolerance than those spawned in freshwater and hatched at elevated salinity. Similarly, at equivalent salinity, progeny spawned in freshwater but hatched at elevated salinity exhibited higher salinity tolerance than those spawned and hatched in freshwater, then acclimatized to an elevated salinity.The utility of these methods of early salinity exposure toward the saltwater culture of tilapias is discussed.     

Effect of the dusk photoperiod change from light to dark on the incubation period of eggs of the spotted rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus (Steindachner)

Spotted rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus (Steindachner), eggs were incubated under different photoperiods to examine the effect of photoperiod on incubation. The eggs from two fish were incubated under five artificial photoperiods: constant dark (D), constant light (L) from 06:00 hours and 6, 10 and 14 h of light from 06:00 hours. The eggs from seven other fish were incubated under a natural photoperiod. Different spawning times (21:00 – 01:00 hours) and different photoperiods combined to give the start of the dusk photoperiod change after 11–23 h of incubation. Constant light or applying the dusk photoperiod change after ≥20 h of incubation appeared to extend the hatching period. The mean hatching period for groups of eggs incubated in darkness or that received the dusk photoperiod change after ≤19 h of incubation (n=8 different groups) was 2 h 15±10 min, which was significantly lower (P<0.05) than the mean hatching period of 4 h±37 min for groups that did not receive the dusk photoperiod change or that received the dusk photoperiod change after ≥20 h of incubation (n=9 groups). However, despite these differences, the majority of the eggs hatched during a 2–3 h period from 17 to 20 h of incubation, and a sigmoid regression (r²=0.9) explained the relationship between percentage hatch and hours of incubation for all photoperiod groups.     

Effects of incubation water hardness and salinity on egg hatch and fry survival of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus)

This study examined the effects of water hardness and salinity on yolk sac larvae and swim‐up fry survival of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Chitralada strain), eggs during artificial incubation. Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of hardness, salinity and the sources of saline incubation water. High water hardness treatments (500–4200 mg L^?1 as CaCO₃) resulted in higher yolk sac larvae and swim‐up fry survival than low water hardness treatments (50.0 and 132 mg L^?1 as CaCO₃); although yolk sac larvae and swim‐up fry survival did not differ among the high or low hardness treatments. Salinity of 4.0 g L^?1 using seawater, and 4.0 and 8.0 g L^?1 using unprocessed common salt resulted in the higher survival rate of yolk sac larvae and swim‐up fry than other salinity treatments. Yolk sac larvae and swim‐up fry survival was found to decrease with the increase in salinity and increase with the increase in water hardness. The present study demonstrated the positive effects of increased water hardness level (>132 mg L^?1) on yolk sac larvae and swim‐up fry survival. The study also showed that seawater salinity of 4 g L^?1 was the most appropriate salinity level for incubating Nile tilapia eggs.     

Changes in lipid classes and trypsin activity during the early development of brook chair, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), fry

Fertilized eggs of brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), (Nashua X Baldwin domestic strains) held for 86 days under laboratory conditions from eggs to fry were split into three groups: FWF2, FWF3 and SWF2. Breeders originated from the same broodstock, but rearing procedures were different; FWF2 and FWF3 were always kept in fresh water, whereas SWF2 had spent the previous summer in sea water. The SWF2 and FWF2 females were sexually mature before the FWF3 females. The feeding experiment started 16 weeks after fertilization. Juveniles were fed with the same commercial pellets at three different levels, a complete ration (R1) and two restricted rations, 50% and 25% of R1. Eggs and fry were analysed for size, dry weight, total lipids, lipid classes (polar lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides), soluble proteins and trypsic activity. Although dry weight, mean length, soluble protein and trypsic activities increased with food availability lipid changes showed a permanent use of the endogenous reserve. No lipid synthesis was detected in any developmental stage, even though exogenous food sources were used. When the 25% restricted ration was given, fry mortality increased. Unexpectedly fry survival tended to increase in individuals from small eggs. The data from this study showed that reserve distribution and its use can improve the resistance of fry hatching from small eggs and prompt better survival despite changes in the nutritional environment. The two factors related to the breeders, summer environmental rearing conditions and sexual maturation time, had significant effects on the response of progeny to feeding conditions.     

ARTIFICIAL REPRODUCTION OF Penaeus japonicus BATE AS A BASIS FOR THE MASS PRODUCTION OF EGGS AND LARVAE1

Penaeus japonicus Bate is absent on the Italian coasts, but it is considered a very promising species for national aquaculture. To develop the shrimp-culture on a commercial basis, a convenient method for producing eggs and larvae of Penaeus japonicus was studied. A stock of 156 females, age class 1+ and F₃, underwent unilateral eyestalk ablation and they were stocked with males in three plastic tanks (bottom area 14 m²) at a density of 25 individuals/m² and a sex ratio of 1:1. Conditions of environment and management consisted of: temperature 21±3°C; natural light and photoperiod; total exchange of sea water every day; feeding on mussels. A month after eyestalk ablation the females were inspected every 7–10 days; mature females were transferred to the spawning tanks. Females with well developed gonads averaged 25.0% of the population of females at every inspection; 51.3% of spawners were impregnated with spermatophores; others were inseminated artificially by the method of introducing spermatophores into the thelycum. In six inspections (carried out during a period of 89 days), 3,028,525 eggs were released; a female released 17,500 eggs on the average (maximum was 123,000 eggs, minimum 4,340). The mean rate of fertilized eggs was 52.7%—67.7% from naturally inseminated females and 7.5% from the artificially inseminated ones. The mean hatching rate was 30.9%—40.1% from natural insemination and 3.3% from artificial insemination. Total amount of viable nauplii was 820,550.     

Effect of initial age variation on production of Florida red tilapia fry under intensive, brackishwater tank culture

Abstract. Growth and survival were compared among uniform- and mixed-age groups of Florida red tilapia fry during sex reversal in brackishwater (12ppt) tanks, under commercial-scale hatchery conditions. Three treatment groups of post-yolksac (i.e. free-swimming) stage fry of different age compositions were compared: (1) 100% fry collected at the free-swimming stage (FSF); (2) 100% fry obtained through artificial incubation of eggs and non-swimming sacfry (ENS); and (3) a mixed group consisting of 50% of each type (FSF+ENS). Fry were stocked into 530–1 cylindroconical tanks at a density of seven fish/l (3700/tank) and reared on an androgen-treated diet for 30 days. While specific growth rates (range = 17·1–17·8% body weight/day) did not differ (P > 0·05) among treatments, significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed for survival and feed conversion ratio (FCR). ENS showed highest survival (76·8%) and lowest FCR (1·14), FSF showed intermediate survival (59·2%) and FCR(l·33), while the mixed-age group (FSF+ENS) showed lowest survival (38·5%) and highest FCR (1·70). Under all treatments, a majority of fry losses were attributed to cannibalism. A highly significant ( P < 0·001) negative regression between survival and coefficient of variation of initial weights (CV = SD/) indicated that cannibalism was reduced by minimizing age/size variation at stocking. The CV of initial weight may be a useful parameter for predicting fry survival under intensive tank culture.     

Effects of different bronopol treatments on final survival rates in the artificial incubation of crayfish eggs (Pacifastacus leniusculus,Astacidae)

Two experiments were conducted on the effects of bronopol in the artificial incubation of crayfish eggs (Pacifastacus leniusculus) with the aim to search an alternative to formaldehyde. In the first experiment, 50, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm bronopol and 3000 ppm formaldehyde (control) in periodical administrations were tested on a density of 6.6 eggs cm^?2. After 44 days of incubation, the highest survival was obtained with 1000 ppm bronopol (81.9% to stage 2 juvenile, with no significant difference from formaldehyde), whereas lower bronopol concentrations resulted in significantly lower survival. In the second experiment, 1000, 3000 and 5000 ppm bronopol and 3000 ppm formaldehyde (control) administered for 15 min every second day were tested on eggs at a density of 20 eggs cm^?2. After 78 days of incubation, bronopol at 3000 ppm allowed for a stage 2 juvenile survival rate of 65.0% (with no significant difference from formaldehyde), whereas significantly lower survival was obtained with 1000 ppm or 5000 ppm. This study shows that bronopol may constitute an alternative to formaldehyde in the artificial incubation of crayfish eggs. A concentration of 3000 ppm administered for 15 min every second day may be adequate even on long incubations at high densities (at least 20 eggs cm^?2, one complete layer).     

Effect of light intensity and photoperiod on Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L. seed production

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of six light intensity/photoperiod combinations (2500 lux/18 h, 2500 lux/15 h, 2500 lux/12 h, 500 lux/18 h, 500 lux/15 h and 500 lux/12 h) on seed production in the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L. Each combination represented a treatment and was triplicated in 0.4‐m³ fibreglass tanks within a recirculating water system. Water temperature was maintained at 29.0 ± 1.0 °C. Males and females with mean body weights of 116.8 and 91.6 g, respectively, were stocked at a rate of eight fish/tank with a male to female ratio of 1:3. Seeds (eggs, sac fry and swim‐up fry) were collected every 2 weeks. The experiment lasted for a total of 120 days. The results showed that the 2500 lux/18 h treatment produced significantly greater (P < 0.05) total seed/tank (4944), seed kg^?1 female day^?1 (50.9), seed m^?2 day^?1 (40.3) and seed/ female day^?1 (6.7) than treatments with medium or short photoperiods (15 and 12 h day^?1 respectively) or lower light intensity (500 lux). The degree of spawning synchrony and percentage of the sac and swim‐up fry stages were significantly higher in the 2500 lux/18 h treatment than in the other treatments. Under the conditions tested in this study, seed production and spawning synchrony in the Nile tilapia may be improved by subjecting breeders to a light intensity of 2500 lux and a photoperiod of 18 h day^?1.     

Modulations of lipid metabolism and development of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry in response to egg-to-fry rearing conditions

In stocking program, the use of artificial incubation conditions in hatcheries from the fertilisation of eggs to the release of unfed fry could reduce their ability to adapt to the natural environment. This study evaluates the effects of three factors on the fitness and physiology of salmon fry at their emergence, the origin of water (river vs drilling), the type of support in the incubator (support matrix vs plastic sheets) and the type of incubators (Californian vs vertical trays), and compares them to a semi-natural incubation method in river. Key biological functions including nutritional and immune status were compared among experimental conditions using biometric parameters, lipid composition and gene expression analyses. Our findings demonstrated that fry incubated in vertical trays supplied with river water had no significant difference in growth and lipid composition compared to those in semi-natural incubators. Besides, fry incubated on a substrate matrix in Californian trays exhibited phenotypic characteristics closest to those incubated in river. This support matrix improved fish growth, lipid consumption and distribution compared to fry on plastic sheets. Moreover, the large amounts of several PUFAs in these fry could allow a better membrane fluidity ensuring a better adaptation to temperature variation under cold conditions. In addition, drilling water improved the survival rate compared to river water due to lower numbers of fine particles, known to be responsible for the clogging of eggs. To conclude, using a substrate combined with drilling water in artificial incubators could increase fry fitness and its adaption to wild life.

     

Artificial Spawning of African Catfish,Clarias gariepinus

Abstract

The effects of controlled reproduction of African catfish, Clarias gariepinuswere investigated in an experiment with carp pituitary (at the dose 4 mg/kg body weight) or Ovopel (1 pellet/kg body weight) used as ovulation stimulators. The application of the synthetic stimulator led to the significantly (P≤0.01) greater weight of eggs (expressed in grams and as percentage of female body weight) and to the significantly (P≤0.05) higher quality of eggs after 24-hour incubation as compared with the hypophysation effects. Two categories of females were used in the experiment, i.e., light (mean body weight of 3.75 kg) and heavy (mean body weight of 8.86 kg) fish. The results show that a significantly (P≤0.01) greater weight of eggs (expressed in grams) was obtained from heavier females. The quality of eggs expressed as the percentage of live embryos after 12- and 24-hour incubation was significantly (P≤0.01 and P≤0.05, respectively) higher for lighter females. The higher weight of obtained eggs and their better quality after Ovopel stimulation compared to the weight and quality of eggs obtained after hypophysation allow for the recommendation of this ovulation stimulator for the fish species investigated.     

镜泊湖蒙古鲌人工繁育技术初步研究

从镜泊湖采捕野生蒙古鲌(Culter mongolicus mongolicus)32尾进行了人工繁殖试验。结果显示,注射人工合成激素可促使成熟亲鱼自然发情产卵,水温22~25℃时,催产药物的效应时间为10 h,有5尾雌鱼产卵,共获得受精卵1.5×105粒,孵出鱼苗1.25×105尾,其受精率、孵化率和畸形率为83.6%、90.3%和6.7%。镜泊湖蒙古鲌是产黏性卵的鱼类,吸水膨胀后卵径为(1.42±0.04)mm(n=30),水温23~24℃时,从卵授精到开始破膜出苗约38 h。镜泊湖蒙古鲌的鱼苗可采用土池发塘培育,饲养30 d体长达(3.24±0.29)cm,体重达(0.35±0.09)g,饲养100 d体长为(5.96±0.33)cm,体重为(2.28±0.32)g。     

Developmental temperature stress and parental identity shape offspring burst swimming performance in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

Abstract – The persistent effects of embryonic temperature stress and individual parentage on fry swimming performance were examined in a cross‐fertilisation experiment using sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). A fixed‐velocity test of burst swimming was used to assess the endurance capacity and behavioural performance of individual fry from 10 offspring families incubated at 12, 14 or 16 °C to hatch and then reared through yolk absorption and exogenous feeding stages in a common posthatch environment (average 6.9 °C). Fry burst swim time (BST) was influenced by an interaction between incubation temperature and family identity. Average BST was longer for fry from the 12 °C prehatch treatment compared to 14 and 16 °C, although differences were largely attributable to temperature effects on average fry size. Behavioural observations revealed that fish incubated at 16 °C performed more poorly, having a larger proportion of individuals that required stimulation to swim, fatigued more frequently or were classified as ‘nonswimmers’. Within all three incubation temperature treatments, mean BST varied significantly among offspring families, independent of fry mass and length. An interesting relationship was observed within the 16 °C treatment, whereby families with higher survivorship were characterised with lower mean BSTs. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that exposure to high temperatures in early sockeye salmon development can result in persistent, parentally mediated effects on fry performance. As such, these results provide important insight into how elevated temperature events during egg incubation may affect early life history selection processes and survival in stages beyond when the stressor is experienced.     

Cultivation of the spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor (Olafsen) – a new candidate for cold-water fish farming

The spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor (Olafsen), with its rich and tasty fillets, popular skin and high growth rates in captivity, is a promising candidate for cold-water aquaculture. We have established a production line for the wolffish during 5 years of active research on the biology of the species. Our broodstock, sampled from the Barents Sea, has mainly spawned during autumn. The females must be stripped as soon as possible after ovulation. The best egg batches have shown c. 100% fertilization and survival rates between 60% and 80% during the 800- to 960-daydegrees-long incubation period. Rearing temperatures of 6 °C, 8 °C, ambient and decreasing temperatures have turned out to be satisfactory for survival. Treatment with 150 p.p.m. glutardialdehyde twice a month is recommended to control microorganism growth on eggs. Premature hatching has been a problem in individual egg batches; the reasons are not fully understood. Normally hatched individuals are ≈ 22 mm long and well developed, with a small yolk sac, which is completely resorbed after about 4 weeks at 6–8 °C. The fry have been successfully start fed on formulated feed as well as Artemia. Highest early growth rates have been noted at 8 °C, but overall survival was best at 6 °C. On-growth of spotted wolffish juveniles fed formulated dry floating feed at low temperatures in shallow raceways has been promising. After 2, 3 and 4 years, the mean weights of the first generation produced in aquaculture were 0.7, 2.7 and 5.1 kg respectively. These individuals now make up the broodstock at a recently established commercial production facility.     

The influence of rearing temperature on early development and growth of spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor (Olafsen)

Temperature influenced the developmental rate, survival and early growth of eggs and embryos of spotted wolffish, Anarhichas minor (Olafsen), an interesting candidate for cold water cultivation. The total incubation period decreased from 220 days at 4 °C (880 daydegrees), to 177 days at 6 °C (1062 daydegrees) and 150 days at 8 °C (1200 daydegrees) in these experiments. The proportion of normal embryos and survival of eggs until hatching were highest when the eggs were incubated at 6 °C. During the incubation period, the embryo and yolk sac size at 280 daydegrees was not significantly different but at 850 daydegrees the embryo size was inversely related to temperature and the remaining yolk sac size positively correlated with the incubation temperature. The transformation of yolk to body mass during incubation appeared to be most efficient at 4 °C, and the embryos hatched with a larger visible yolk sac at 6 and 8 °C. The largest larvae (wet‐weight) hatched from the largest eggs and the egg groups incubated at the lowest temperature (4 °C). There was no effect of temperature on meristic characters. During 6 weeks post‐hatching, all larvae from the three temperature groups were fed formulated dry feed in excess at 8 °C in low water‐level raceway systems. During startfeeding, the larvae from eggs incubated at the lowest temperature (4 °C) showed the highest growth rates (SGR). Best survival of larvae was noted among batches incubated at 6 °C.