Propagation Abstracts
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Gut Retention Time of Elasmobranchs: Developing a Baseline for Various Species of Sharks Monique Park and Stephanie Shannon, Mystic Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
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Breeding Beluga Whale Food: Captive spawning and Rearing Arctic Cod, Boreogadus saida Danny Kent, Vancouver Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In 2009, the Vancouver Aquarium renovated its Canada's Arctic gallery and resumed displaying Arctic fishes and invertebrates again after a 15-20 year hiatus. As part of this redevelopment a series of collecting trips to the Canadian high Arctic were conducted and a variety of Arctic marine species were successfully transported to the aquarium for display. The Arctic cod, Boreogadus saida, was one of those species and is considered to be a keystone species in the Arctic food web. Due to the importance of this species for display, interpretation, and potential research, as well as the high acquisition costs to obtain them, captive reproduction was a major goal. In September 2011, viable eggs and sperm were successfully stripped from two adult Arctic cod. Fertilized pelagic eggs were incubated for close to one month at ~3⁰C before hatching. Yolk sac larvae developed functional eyes and a mouth over a two week period following hatching. Following yolk sac resorption, larvae initiated feeding on enriched live rotifers. Harpacticoid copepods that had incidentally recruited into the rearing tank also may have provided an additional live food source. Larvae were transitioned from rotifers to enriched Artemia nauplii. Transitioning larvae from Artemia nauplii to a larger sized food type was challenging and a wide variety of items were offered including Cyclopeeze, finely chopped Euphausia pacifica and Otohime micropellets. Mortalities increased during this period until consistent feeding was finally established on the Otohime pellets. By spring/summer of 2012, ~500 Boreogadus saida juveniles had been reared successfully and were being displayed, dispositioned to another aquarium, and were being utilized outside researchers. |
Reproduction of Heterodontus portusjacksoni at the Oceanário de Lisboa
Elsa Santos, Oceanário de Lisboa Authors: Ana Jarego, Elsa Santos, Nuno Pereira, Núria Baylina Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Ensuring the best maintenance and reproduction conditions for the species exhibited at Oceanário de Lisboa is a part of the institution`s mission. Portjackson sharks (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) are kept at Oceanário since 1998. This species was maintained successfully over the years, however reproductive behaviors were not observed and the females would lay only non-fertile eggs. Recently, in order to understand whether there is a direct effect of temperature in the reproduction, an annual variation in water temperature was performed. The natural temperature cycle for this species was followed. As a result reproductive behaviors were observed and viable eggs were produced. Embryo development is being followed by ultrasound and endoscopic observations. After more than 400 days of development the embryos are growing well and almost ready to hatch. |
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A Simple, Low-Cost, Low-Maintenance Design for In-House Live Brine Shrimp Culture
Shelley L. Anthony, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The common brine shrimp Artemia salina is an important component of dietary requirements for public aquariums. Many aquariums spend a significant percentage of their food budget on importing live Artemia for feeding newly acquired and/or wild-caught specimens, or for supporting high maintenance species such as syngnathids. The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) has successfully incorporated several methodologies for live brine shrimp culture into a low-maintenance design that utilizes a simple system including a hatch out bucket, 6 individual grow-out tubes and two “harvest barrels” for HUFA enrichment. Since 2006, this in-house setup has provided an average of 1 lb (0.5 kg) of enriched adult Artemia per week, yet requires less than 2 hours/week to maintain. The level of production is easily adapted to individual aquarium needs, and the design is especially advantageous for facilities struggling with limited space. The estimated total cost of in-house production is approximately 35% that of importing adult live brine from standard suppliers. Most importantly, the ready availability of multiple stages of live Artemia is critical to the successful propagation of seahorses and other species at the NCAFF. |
How to Raise Your Dragon: Captive Propagation of the Weedy Sea Dragon, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus
Mark Olsen and Julie Gee, Georgia Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The weedy sea dragon, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus, is a popular exhibit animal in public aquariums around the world. The mysterious breeding habits of this species have resulted in only a few successful captive reproductive events. On December 24th, 2011, a successful egg transfer took place in a quarantine system at Georgia Aquarium. During the 45 day brooding period, a variety of preparations were made in advance of egg hatch. Difficult decisions were made on fry collection strategy, assist feeding intervention and whether to separate the gravid male to ensure appropriate diet and caloric intake. Despite these challenges, 120 sea dragons hatched in early February, 2012. This reproductive event was the largest single brood of sea dragons hatched in a U.S. public aquarium. With a survivorship of 56%, specimens from this group were shipped to six other U. S. institutions. A long- term strategy for repetitive successful breeding is currently under development. |