灰海马染色体制备及核型分析

为了解灰海马的细胞遗传学特征,便于今后开展灰海马的种质评价与鉴定、规模化人工繁育、亲缘关系研究及人工选育等工作,实验以雌雄灰海马的背鳍为材料,采用秋水仙素浸泡和常规热滴片法制备染色体标本。借助Photoshop图像软件,将同源染色体配对、拼贴,做出染色体核型图。采用Image J软件的自定义曲线测量功能,以着丝粒的中心位置为起点,顺着染色体弯曲的形态,到染色体臂末端为终点,测量线段长度,得出图片中染色体的臂长,根据相同放大倍数下标尺的测量值,换算出染色体的实际臂长。根据臂比值,将染色体进行配对、分类后,得出灰海马的染色体核型公式。结果显示,灰海马的背鳍组织可作为其染色体制备的理想材料,实验选用的染色体制备方法能获得图像清晰、形态良好的细胞分裂相。此法简单、效果好,解决了海龙科鱼类染色体制备的难题;灰海马具有22对染色体,二倍体染色体数目2n=44,雄鱼的染色体核型公式为2n=2sm+20st+22t,雌鱼的染色体核型公式为2n=1m+2sm+20st+21t,雌鱼存在性染色体异型的现象,因此灰海马的性染色体为ZW/ZZ型。     

Growth and survival of juvenile lined seahorse,Hippocampus erectus (Perry), at different stocking densities

The lined seahorse, Hippocampus erectus (Perry), is an important species in both medicinal and aquarium trades. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of stocking density (1, 3 and 5 individuals L⁻¹) on the growth performance and survival of the early-stage juvenile H. erectus. The height (HT), wet weight, weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were affected significantly by the stocking density during the 40-day study. The HT, WG and SGR of the seahorse at 1 and 3 juveniles L⁻¹ were significantly higher than that at 5 juveniles L⁻¹. The survival of juveniles at the three stocking densities was not significantly different at day 25 (90.3 ± 4.5%, 86.7 ± 4.2% and 86.2 ± 3.8% for 1, 3 and 5 juveniles L⁻¹ respectively), but was significantly different at day 40 (87.8 ± 3.9%, 69.6 ± 4.2% and 52.9 ± 2.8% for 1, 3 and 5 juveniles L⁻¹ respectively). For the early-stage juvenile H. erectus, we recommend a stocking density of 3 juveniles L⁻¹, but the density should be reduced to 1–2 juveniles L⁻¹ to avoid reduced and variable growth and high mortality after 25 days.     

Effects of light intensity,stocking density and temperature on the air-bubble disease,survivorship and growth of early juvenile seahorse Hippocampus erectus Perry, 1810

This investigation examined the effects of light intensity, stocking density and temperature on the air-bubble disease, survivorship and growth of early juveniles (2–30 days old) of seahorse Hippocampus erectus Perry. The juveniles in the 100 lx treatment had the highest air-bubble disease rate of 20.8 ± 6.2% and the juveniles in the 500 lx treatment had the highest survival rate of 84.4 ± 5.5%. The juvenile seahorses cultured in the 1500 lx treatment had the highest final wet weight of 0.13 ± 0.02 g and the highest final standard length of 4.54 ± 0.37 cm (F_{7, 144}=57.406, F_{7, 144}=12.315, P<0.05). There was no significant effect of stocking density on the air-bubble disease rate (F_{6, 21}=1.893, P=0.126). The juveniles cultured in the 1 ind L⁻¹ had the highest wet weight increment of 0.134 ± 0.031 g, but juveniles in the 2 ind L⁻¹ had the highest standard length increment of 3.17 ± 0.30 cm (F_{6, 126}=34.902, F_{6, 126}=11.726, P<0.05), and juveniles cultured in the 1.5 ind L⁻¹ had the highest survival rate of 86.1 ± 4.6%. The result of interaction of light intensity and temperature showed that the juveniles cultured in the 1500 lx and 26 °C had the highest weight gain and specific growth rate of 3791.17 ± 323.97% and 13.07 ± 0.18, respectively, and the lowest air-bubble disease rate of 9.3 ± 4.5% occurred in the 1000 lx and 26 °C (F_{8, 36}=12.355, P<0.05).     

Growth and survival of juvenile seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis reared on live, frozen and artificial foods

The culture of seahorses has usually relied on cultured live foods or collected wild live foods as feed. This can be expensive in the case of culturing live foods and unreliable in the case of harvesting wild live foods. This investigation examined whether juvenile Hippocampus abdominalis from 0 to 2 months of age could be experimentally weaned onto frozen (Cyclop-eeze copepods) and artificial (Golden Pearls) food over 30-day periods with Artemia as a live food control, with 0-, 5-, 10-, and 20-day mixed feeding periods. Newborn juveniles could not be weaned onto Golden Pearls, with almost complete mortality. One-month-old juveniles could be weaned onto Cyclop-eeze with no effect on survival but with lower growth. One-month-old juveniles could be weaned onto Golden Pearls but with lower survival and lower growth. Two-month-old juveniles could be weaned onto Cyclop-eeze but with lower survival and lower growth. Two-month-old juveniles could be weaned onto Golden Pearls with no effect on survival but with lower growth. In all experiments, the rate of feeding strikes on Cyclop-eeze and Golden Pearls was lower than that on Artemia (e.g. range of mean 0.16–0.97 vs. 2.2–2.76 feeding strikes/min), both when Artemia were the sole food presented and when Artemia were cofed with the nonlive foods. However, mixed feeding Artemia with nonlive foods did appear to increase the rate of feeding strikes on nonlive foods. These results indicate the potential for incorporating more cost effective and reliable nonlive foods into seahorse culture.     

Effect of starvation on survival and biochemical profile of newborn juvenile lined seahorses,Hippocampus erectus (Perry, 1810)

This study assessed the effect of starvation on survival and nutritional status of newborn juveniles H. erectus (<10 days) to optimize rearing protocols, thereby helping to reduce wildlife exploitation. Maximum starvation time (MST) was estimated through the survival of juveniles continuously starved from birth. Resistance to starvation and the effect of food re‐introduction after 1, 2, 4 and 6 days of starvation on survival and metabolite concentrations (total proteins, total lipids, acylglycerides, cholesterol, glucose) were also determined. Survival amongst continuously starved animals decreased from 6.6 ± 0.5 to 0% from days 9 to 10 of starvation. Seahorses under different starvation–refeeding treatments all had 100% survival up to day 5 of experiments. After 10 days, however, a 4‐day starvation period followed by refeeding showed negative effects with <50% survival. During continuous starvation, lipids were the first energy reserve used to maintain basal metabolism, followed by proteins. Except for cholesterol, all metabolite concentrations differed between continuous starvations and feeding. Despite high seahorse survival after 5 days in the absence of food, the recovery of the metabolic status is possible after a starvation period of no more than 2 days, since irreversible physiological changes compromising the ultimate survival of the organisms take place after this time.     

营养强化对灰海马幼体氨基酸组成的影响及品质的评价

为评价复合营养型强化剂对灰海马(Hippocampus erectus)幼体氨基酸组成模式和营养品质的影响,用0.045 mL/L(A)、0.090 mL/L(B)和0.180 mL/L(C)3个浓度的50DE-微囊强化的卤虫投喂灰海马幼体。结果显示,灰海马氨基酸总量(TAA)的平均值为51.10%(质量分数,干样);灰海马含有17种氨基酸(AA),其中8种人体必需氨基酸总量(TEAA)占TAA比例的平均值为31.00%,4种呈味氨基酸总量(TDAA)占TAA的比例超过45.00%(质量分数,干样)。限制性氨基酸为异亮氨酸(Ile)和亮氨酸(Leu)。必需氨基酸指数(EAAI)的平均值为36.97。随着强化剂浓度升高,卤虫和灰海马体内部分AA、TAA、TDAA和非必需氨基酸(TNEAA)的含量及大多数单个必需氨基酸含量与必需氨基酸总量比值(A/E)均与强化剂浓度呈反比(P<0.05)。但是,卤虫和灰海马的TEAA/TAA和TEAA/TNEAA的值却随强化剂浓度升高而上升(P<0.05)。同时,从氨基酸评分(AAS)、化学评分(CS)和EAAI的评分模式可以看出,B、C两组灰海马的评分总体显著高于A组(P<0.05),但B、C两组间大部分氨基酸评分差异不显著(P>0.05)。结果说明,过高浓度的强化剂无法显著提高氨基酸的相对含量,但却能在一定程度上改善氨基酸的组成模式。     

哈维氏弧菌引起的条纹海马表皮溃疡综合征的研究

近年来,条纹海马的养殖在我国发展迅速,但由于多种养殖疾病的频繁暴发,严重制约了条纹海马养殖业的健康发展。自2017年以来,我国北方地区在条纹海马的养殖过程中,多次发生表皮溃疡综合征,患病海马游泳能力减弱,皮肤大面积溃疡,同时伴随烂尾症状,解剖后发现其肠道发白,肝脏及鳃颜色暗淡,死亡率较高,给海马养殖业造成巨大的经济损失。本研究从患病条纹海马的溃烂肌肉及肠道中分离出13株优势菌株,经回归感染实验证实菌株HDM-2可引起条纹海马出现表皮溃疡综合征的类似症状,且半数致死量(LD_(50))约为2.89×10~8 CFU/mL。为确定菌株HDM-2的分类地位,采用生理生化及基于16S rDNA的分子生物学方法对其进行鉴定,结果显示,HDM-2为哈维氏弧菌;为了解菌株HDM-2的菌体特征,采用透射电镜(TEM)对菌株HDM-2进行观察,结果显示,HDM-2为周生鞭毛,有荚膜,大小约2.20μm×4.75μm;为获知HDM-2的抗生素敏感性,采用纸片扩散法进行药敏试验,结果显示,菌株HDM-2对氟苯尼考和头孢他啶等较敏感;患病条纹海马的组织病理学研究表明,菌株HDM-2对条纹海马的皮肤、肝脏以及鳃组织损伤较严重。本文可为条纹海马表皮溃疡综合征的防治及深入研究提供基础资料。     

Effects of varying Artemia enrichment on growth and survival of juvenile seahorses, Hippocampus abdominalis

Seahorses are the focus of recent aquaculture ventures in a variety of countries. Many of these ventures utilise enriched live Artemia (to varying degrees) to feed their seahorses. Given the range of commercially available enrichment products that can be used to enrich Artemia, it is imperative to determine which of these may promote the best growth and survival in seahorses, as well as being most cost-effective. This investigation tested the effects on juvenile seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis Leeson, 1827) growth and survival through enriching Artemia with three commercial enrichment products: Super Selco®, DHA Protein Selco® and Algamac-3050. These were tested against a low-cost Artemia on-growing mixture used in this instance as an enrichment (90% Eyre Peninsula Aquaculture brine shrimp food (EPABSF)/10% spirulina).

After 3 months, there was a significant difference in juvenile length between the enrichment treatments, with juveniles in the DHA Protein Selco® and Algamac-3050 treatment longer than juveniles in the Super Selco® treatment, but not longer than juveniles in the EPABSF/spirulina treatment. There was also a significant difference in juvenile wet weights between the treatments, with juveniles in the Super Selco® treatment weighing significantly less than juveniles in the other three treatments.

In terms of condition factor (CF), there was a slight significant difference between the treatments, with juveniles in the DHA Protein Selco® and EPABSF/spirulina treatment having higher CFs than juveniles in the Super Selco® treatment, but not the Algamac-3050 treatment. Mean daily specific growth rate (SGR) for Super Selco® was lower than the other three treatments. There was no effect of enrichment treatment on seahorse survival with 100% survival in all four treatments.

Fatty acid analysis revealed marked differences in the Artemia enriched with the various enrichment products. Super Selco®- and Algamac-3050-enriched Artemia had the highest percentage of docosahexanoic acid (DHA), 22:6(n−3), while Super Selco®-enriched Artemia had the highest percentage of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 20:5(n−3). EPABSF/spirulina-enriched Artemia had the highest percentages of C18 fatty acids. Percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and n−3 PUFAs were highest in Super Selco®- and Algamac-3050-enriched Artemia. Proximate analysis revealed little difference among all four enrichment treatments in terms of protein, fat and carbohydrate levels.

The results from this experiment demonstrate that when culturing H. abdominalis, all three commercial enrichment products produce good seahorse growth and excellent survival. However, on a cost/benefit basis, all three commercial products were outperformed by the cheaper Artemia on-growing mixture (EPABSF/spirulina).     

Growth efficiency of juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer, at high temperatures

Temperature is recognized to be the most important environmental factor affecting growth in fish. Barramundi are cultured over a wide range of temperatures some of which approach the upper thermal tolerance for this species. A growth trial was conducted on juvenile barramundi to examine the effects of high temperatures ranging from the minimum optimal temperature (27 °C) for growth efficiency to the extreme upper thermal limits (39 °C) for feed intake, growth and growth efficiency. Juveniles (4.87 ± 0.32 g) were held at four different temperatures 27, 33, 36 and 39 °C and fed twice daily to satiation (503.5 g kg^− 1 crude protein, 182.5 g kg^− 1 lipid, 150.1 g kg^− 1 ash, 20.52 GE MJ kg^− 1). Feed intake (g·day^− 1) and SGR (%·day^− 1) increased with increasing temperature up to 36 °C. At 39 °C feed intake, growth, feed efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio and productive energy value were significantly lower than at the other temperatures. This demonstrates that growth was optimized at temperatures from 27 to 36 °C and that barramundi have a much wider range for maximum growth efficiency than previously thought.     

Improving initial survival in cultured seahorses, Hippocampus abdominalis Leeson, 1827 (Teleostei: Syngnathidae)

This investigation aimed at improving early juvenile survival in cultured seahorses, Hippocampus abdominalis. Phototaxis from birth until 2 months of age was tested and juveniles were found to be positively phototactic within this age range. A comparison of the effect of culture vessel background (white vs. black vs. clear jars) on feeding efficiency at 1 week and 1 month of age using Artemia as prey revealed an age-dependent effect upon both attack rate and capture success. At 1 week, both attack rate and capture success were higher for juveniles contained in clear jars, and capture success was higher in black jars, as compared with white jars. At 1 month, there was no significant difference in attack rate between different jars, although capture success was higher in clear and white jars than in black jars. In a top-illuminated glass aquarium, juveniles with access to the water surface had lower survival (mean±1 SE=50±4.5%) than those without access to the water surface (73.3±4.2%). This was due to the ingestion of air bubbles when preying on Artemia nauplii congregating near the water surface. For side-illumination there was no such difference. Glass aquaria that were side-illuminated and blacked-off upwards from the waterline supported high juvenile survival (80.4±4.0% per brood) from birth through to 2 months of age in four broods.     

Identification and characterization of the pathogen associated with skin ulcer syndrome in lined seahorse,Hippocampus erectus

The lined seahorse, Hippocampus erectus, is an Atlantic species, which mainly inhabits shallow sea beds or coral reefs. Seahorse has become very popular in China due to its wide use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, the aquaculture of the lined seahorse has been threatened by a variety of diseases, especially bacterial infections. Skin ulcer syndrome becomes more and more common in the culture of seahorses, leading to skin ulcer, liver erosion and minority tail rotting. These diseased seahorses die in only 72 hr, causing huge economic losses in aquaculture. Pathogen HMT‐1 was isolated from the lined seahorses with skin ulcer syndrome, which was identified as Vibrio harveyi. The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of HMT‐1 was 2.88 × 10⁸ cfu/ml. The pathogenic mechanism of HMT‐1 was preliminarily studied, and the pathological changes of the diseased lined seahorses were also investigated. Moreover, the activities of ACP, complement 3, SOD and LZM at different time post injection were measured by commercial kits. Our findings can provide reliable reference for diagnosis and treatment in the future.     

大海马育苗池水华发生期间细菌动态及相关理化参数

大海马(HippocampuskudaBleeker)育苗池为水泥池,规格为4.0m×6.0m×1.6m,分设正常池与水华发生池,各设3个平行池,每池养殖幼海马约1000尾,测定水体水华发生时水体细菌数量和理化因子变化的规律。结果显示,当水温高于24℃时,育苗池易发生水华,形成水华的优势藻为铜绿微囊藻(Microcysticaeruginosa)。正常育苗池水体中异养细菌总量平均比水华池的高出近1个数量级。正常池和水华池表层异养细菌变动范围分别为2.50×103～7.23×104CFU/mL和4.75×102～6.90×103CFU/mL,水华池比正常池减少了60%～99%;底层异养细菌变动范围则分别为4.75×103～7.53×104CFU/mL和6.25×102～1.50×104CFU/mL,水华池比正常池降低了73%～97%。水华池与正常池底层异养细菌数量的差异极显著(P<0.01)。两组池表层弧菌数量变动范围分别为0.85×102～7.19×103CFU/mL和0.33×102～8.92×102CFU/mL,水华池比正常池减少5%～93%;底层弧菌数量变动范围则分别为8.30×102～1.16×104CFU/mL和0.53×102～2.04×103CFU/mL,水华池比正常池降低2%～97%。水华发生池的底层和表层的细菌数量与正常池的差异均显著(P<0.05)。同时,水华池平均水温比正常池约低1℃,溶解氧(DO)比正常池的降低了22%～33%;而水华池中的氨氮含量则为正常育苗池的1.41～2.34倍。水华发生时,育苗池表层和底层水体中弧菌数量比正常池的分别减少了61%～87%和82%～93%。     

Influence of temperature on protein utilization in juvenile European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The aim of this trial was to study the utilization of dietary protein by seabass juveniles with 5.5 g mean body weight, at two water temperatures: 18°C and 25°C. For that purpose, the fish were fed for 12 weeks, four isoenergetic diets with different protein levels (36, 42, 48, and 56%). At the end of the trial, growth rate and feed utilization were significantly better at the higher water temperature. Within each temperature, specific growth rate and feed efficiency were significantly higher with the 48 and 56% protein diets than with the other diets. At 25°C, feed efficiency was also significantly better with the 56% than with the 48% protein diet. N retention (g kg average body weight⁻¹ day⁻¹) was higher at 25°C than at 18°C but, as a % N intake the inverse was true. Although at 25°C N retention (% N intake) was not different among groups, retention in g kg ABW⁻¹ day⁻¹ was significantly higher with the 56% protein diet than with 36 and 42% protein diets. On the contrary, at 18°C N retention (g kg ABW⁻¹ day⁻¹) was similar among groups while as a percentage of N intake it was inversely related to the dietary protein level. Regarding energy utilization, at each temperature, there were no differences among dietary treatments on energy retention (g kg ABW⁻¹ day⁻¹). As a % of energy intake, energy retention significantly increased with the increase of dietary protein level at 25°C, while at 18°C, there were no significant differences among groups. Within each temperature, at the end of the trial, there were no differences among groups in proximate composition of whole fish. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, protein and energy significantly improved with the increase of water temperature but, within each temperature, there were no significant differences among groups. The results of this study indicate that, regardless of water temperature, the dietary protein requirement for growth seems to be satisfied with a diet containing 48% protein. Growth and feed efficiency were significantly higher at the higher temperature, however, protein utilization was more efficient at the lower temperature.     

Effects of thyroxine,cod liver oil and potassium iodide on growth and survival of juvenile seahorse,Hippocampus barbouri

Low survival at early stage is the bottleneck in seahorse aquaculture, particularly in the feeding aspect since newborn seahorses must feed immediately upon birth to sustain themselves. Seahorses are visual predator, therefore preferred live feed such as zooplankton. In aquaculture, the most common live feed used is Artemia. In this study, two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of different Artemia enrichment on the growth and survival of newborn Hippocampus barbouri. In the first experiment, six treatments using Artemia enriched with Culture Selco Plus? (SELCO), thyroxine (T4), potassium iodide (KI), cod liver oil (CLO), cod liver oil in combination with thyroxine (CLO + T4) and potassium iodide (CLO+KI) were fed to newborn H. barbouri. Newly hatched Artemia were used as control. At the end of first experiment, treatments using CLO + T4 produced juvenile H. barbouri with the best (p < .05) wet weight (0.142 ± 0.000 g), while juvenile in treatment CLO+KI recorded the highest (p < .05) standard length (3.947 ± 0.014 cm). Subsequently, a second experiment was carried out using the two best enrichment (CLO + T4 and CLO + KI) from the first experiment, but given at different frequency (daily, twice a week, once a week, once in 2 weeks). Daily enrichment using both CLO + T4 and CLO + KI showed no significant (p > .05) difference in growth performance and survival of juvenile of H. barbouri. Interestingly, juvenile fed CLO + T4 enriched Artemia at frequency of twice a week also has no significant difference (p > .05) in survival and growth performance (except for final standard length) when compared with treatment CLO + T4 at daily frequency.     

盐度变化对灰海马仔鱼存活及生长的影响

为研究低盐胁迫对灰海马(Hippocampus erectus)存活和生长的影响,进行了3个实验,即:1)盐度突变实验,分别直接将1日龄和20日龄仔鱼从自然海水(32)移到盐度17和10的水中,观察死亡情况;2)盐度渐变实验,渐变速率分别为0、5 ppt·d~(-1)、10 ppt·d~(-1),仔鱼规格分别为1日龄、20日龄、40日龄,观察死亡情况以探明灰海马的耐盐低限;3)不同盐度(14、21、32)对灰海马生长的影响。结果表明:1)盐度突变15个单位对灰海马仔鱼存活基本无影响,突变22个单位对20日龄仔鱼无明显影响,但1日龄苗5 d内相继死亡;2)不同盐度渐变速率对灰海马仔鱼存活率的影响没有显著性差异,而不同规格(1日龄、10日龄、40日龄)仔鱼对低限盐度的耐受性则略有差异,但7是低限,盐度低于7时即出现死亡;3)生长实验结果显示,灰海马仔鱼在盐度14条件生长、存活显著优于另两个盐度组(21、32),灰海马仔鱼在盐度14、21、32养殖40 d后存活率依次为(82.9±4.02)%、(72.0±4.23)%、(61.7±7.73)%。本研究结果表明,灰海马是广盐性鱼类,可以适应低盐环境。在养殖生产中,如有条件,可将盐度控制在14左右,能有效提高其存活率并促进生长。     

Heritability of reproductive traits and genetic correlations with growth in the black tiger prawn Penaeus monodon reared in tanks

Captive-reared broodstock of the black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) have exhibited poor reproductive performance limiting attempts to domesticate this species. The potential for improved reproductive performance was assessed by determining heritabilities of four measures of reproductive performance, their genetic correlations with each other and with growth rate and weight at age. Heritability estimates (h² ± S.E.) obtained from √ (days to spawn), √ (egg number), √ (nauplii number) and arcsin√ (proportion hatched) were 0.47 ± 0.15, 0.41 ± 0.18, 0.27 ± 0.16, and 0.18 ± 0.16, respectively. Estimates of genetic correlations between reproductive traits and weight at age, or growth rate were less than 0.5 except for √ (egg number) and weight at 54 weeks (0.93 ± 0.19) and √ (egg number) and 16–54-week growth (0.63 ± 0.29).     

Effect of temperature and photoperiod on the growth, feed consumption, and biochemical content of juvenile green abalone, Haliotis fulgens, fed on a balanced diet

Juvenile green abalone, Haliotis fulgens (31.3 ± 0.1 mm, 3.7 ± 0.04 g live weight) were reared in laboratory for six months in order to determine their survival, growth, tissue composition, feed consumption (C), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) under two temperatures (20 °C and 25 °C) and three photoperiods (00:24, 12:12 and 24:00 light:dark hours). Survival was ca. 100% at 20 °C, and between 68% and 75% at 25 °C. The highest gross growth rate (109 ± 4.3 μm d^− 1, 69 ± 3.9 mg d^− 1) was observed in abalone from the combination 20 °C-00:24 L:D. Slowest GGR (38 ± 4.1 μm d^− 1, 26 ± 1.5 mg d^− 1) was observed in the combination 25 °C-24:00 L:D. Organisms from 25 °C exhibited signs of the withering syndrome at the end of the experiment. Gross energy content (4.4 to 4.6 kcal g^− 1 tissue dry wt, TDW) and crude protein (60 to 68% TDW) were not significantly affected by either temperature or photoperiod, but organisms from 20 °C exhibited lower moisture content (86.8 to 88.6%) and higher tissue:shell ratio (0.34-0.40) than those from 25 °C (88.9 to 92.1%; 0.22-0.31 respectively). Feed consumption markedly increased at night, decreased with age, and was higher at 25 °C than 20 °C, irrespective of photoperiod. Highest C was observed under continuous darkness (0.66 to 0.95% BW d^− 1 at 20 °C and 0.84 to 1.25% BW d^− 1 at 25 °C), and was lowest under continuous light (0.50 to 0.82% BW d^− 1 at 20 °C and 0.71 to 1.02% BW d^− 1 at 25 °C). FCR and PER were both affected by temperature but not by photoperiod. Higher PER (2.2 to 3.4) and lower FCR values (0.69 to 1.05) were observed at 20 °C, when compared to 25 °C (PER 1.35 to 2.09, FCR 1.10 to 1.86). Sex ratios were ca. 1:1 in the 00:24 and 12:12 L:D photoperiods, yet ca. 50% of abalone from the 24:00 L:D photoperiod were immature at the end of the experiment. It is concluded that H. fulgens can be best cultured at 20 °C and 00:24 or 12:12 L:D regimes, while sustained temperatures at or above 25 °C may result in cumulative stress, altered physiological rhythms, and delayed maturation.