Tuesday Presentation Abstracts
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Shark Ray Breeding - Instructions Not Included
Mark Dvornak, Jolene Hanna, Scott Brehob and Jen Hazeres, Newport Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
On 24 January 2014, Newport Aquarium’s adult female shark ray “Sweet Pea” gave birth to a total of seven pups.Having confirmed the pregnancy just 16 days before, the birth that quickly followed was a surprise to the husbandry biologists. Raising the pups has been an extremely challenging experience, especially in a land-locked aquarium. This presentation will outline not only the birth itself, but the many challenges and frustrations that followed. What aquarium biologists have learned - and what is still unknown - also will be discussed. |
Makin’ Babies - Captive Rearing of Echinoderms
Jordan Salyers, Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Public aquariums often seek cost-effective and sustainable methods of obtaining and maintaining invertebrate populations to support the industry’s mission of conservation. In addition, recent limitations of available healthy wild stocks make acquiring and maintaining echinoderm collections challenging. For over 30 years, many species of echinoderms have been successfully and efficiently reared in research labs using culture methods that can easily be adapted by public aquariums to create a sustainable and cost-effective in-house stock. The methods to produce and rear echinoderms from gamete to adult will be reviewed and applications for public aquariums will be described. |
From Egg to Bay: Adventure Aquarium’s Horseshoe Crab Head-Start Program Matthew Ferroni, Adventure Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is of great ecological importance to the Delaware Bay,as its eggs provide a vital source of food to migratory shorebirds. Hemocyaninx extracted from horseshoe crabs is used by the biomedical industry to manufacture LAL, making the crabs incredibly valuable to humans as well. The Adventure Aquarium started its Horseshoe Crab Head-Start Program in June 2011, with the intent to collect naturally fertilized eggs, rear the offspring under captive conditions, and release them back into the bay once they had reached a suitable size. Each year, naturally fertilized eggs are collected from multiple nest sites on Kimbles Beach in Cape May Court House and transported back to Adventure Aquarium for hatching. They are kept in a closed system containing synthetic seawater, with temperature and salinity maintained at 79°F and 30ppt, respectively. After hatching, the crabs are divided into groups and placed in floating containers with 1000μ nylon mesh bottoms. They are fed twice daily with enriched Artemia nauplii, Cyclop-eeze, and New Era Marine Pellets, based on instar stage. Water changes are performed weekly and growth rates and survivorship are recorded. These culture techniques developed over the last several years have resulted in accelerated growth rates and increased survivorship. The American horseshoe crab is known to molt five to seven times in its first year of life under natural conditions. Under captive conditions, however, Adventure Aquarium has reared individuals reaching an equivalent size in only five months, and growing as large as their eleventh instar in only one year. In the summer of 2014, Adventure Aquarium plans to release the 2011 and 2012 groups of crabs back into the Delaware Bay. Pending the results of a tag retention study, set to commence in early 2014, these animals may be tagged using coded wire tags. |
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Catching Lightning in a Jar: Preliminary Success of Breeding Pomacanthus sp. at The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Aaron Jeskie and Ramon Villaverde, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The Discovery Reef habitat at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium currently houses four different species of Pomacanthus, each with at least one breeding pair. During the summer of 2013, 12 juvenile Pomacanthus sp. were raised from eggs collected from Discovery Reef using devices designed by Rising Tide. Eggs were rinsed with clean sea water and separated using various sizes of micron mesh. Initial attempts to raise several different batches of eggs all resulted in total mortality after several days. After hatching, several unidentified species of fry also were seen in addition to Pomacanthus, but none survived past the first few days. In further attempts to raise fry from collected eggs, multiple variables were adjusted, including egg density, food density, salinity, airflow and container size. Ultimately, using a plastic pretzel jar with a healthy population of copepods and green water yielded the 12 larvae that would survive. During the first critical days after hatching, the fry progressively fed on copepod nauplii, adult copepods, and then Artemia nauplii. Despite this success and our continued efforts, we have been unable to duplicate our results. Nonetheless, this singular success demonstrates that any facility with a breeding population of fish has the potential to set up hatching and rearing vessels at little to no cost. |
Conditions for Captive Spawning of French Grunt, Haemulon flavolineatum
Matthew R. Dawson, Larry C. Boles, Stacy Knight, Matthew L. Wittenrich and M. Andrew Stamper, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Walt Disney World Resort Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In order to reduce the environmental impact and increase the sustainability of the aquarium trade, more ornamental species need to be captive-bred. One such species that is found in many large aquariums around the world is the French grunt, Haemulon flavolineatum. Little information is known about their natural reproductive behavior, making captive breeding for French grunts difficult. While culture of larvae in other Haemulon sp. has been documented, volitional spawning of H. flavolineatum has never been documented in a captive setting. At The Seas with Nemo and Friends® at Walt Disney World Resort®, 48 adult French grunts were stocked evenly into six 650-L recirculating seawater systems, each supporting two 250-L tanks. Within two months of stocking, egg production began. Environmental conditions such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH were recorded daily. Photoperiod was maintained on a 12L:12D light cycle. Eggs (mean diameter = 0.95 mm) from each system were collected and quantified daily for 216 days. Total system fecundity ranged from 769,000- 2,510,000 eggs over the entire spawning period and was poorly correlated with temperature (R2 = 0.345), although a slight positive trend was noticeable. A sex ratio for each tank was also determined by sampling gametes using a catheter insertion method. The results of this study demonstrated that captive breeding of French grunts is possible under ideal conditions. However, more research is needed to determine the optimal environmental conditions that will maximize fecundity and egg viability for sustainable, cost-effective production of French grunt larvae for the aquarium industry. |
Asexual Propagation of Acropora cervicornis John Than, The Florida Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
What do you do when you only have one genotype to release and there are no other genotypes available to cross with it? Well, if you are Ken Nedimyer and are part of The Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF), you have options. During the coral spawn of 2012, The Florida Aquarium and its partners encountered this issue when they had only one genet fire off and none to cross. With a special activity permit in hand, and the nature of how the CRF is licensed with its corals, the ability to physically remove “bundles” from another coral of a different genet became an option. Included in this presentation is a review of the events and the technique used to retrieve the bundles to achieve fertilization, as well as a summary of the successes, failures and plans to use this technique in future coral spawning events. |
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São Tomé and Príncipe –
The West-African Opportunity João Correia, Nuno Rodrigues and Telmo Morato, Flying Sharks Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
São Tomé and Príncipe is a Portuguese-speaking archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Africa. Its geographical characteristics result in a peculiar marine fauna and some unique endemic species. Flying Sharks’ privileged relations with African Portuguese-speaking countries resulted in a three-week expedition to São Tomé, with the main goal of collecting as much information as possible to evaluate its potential as a new operations base. While in São Tomé, the team documented local marine life by underwater photography, visited local fish markets and talked to members of the fishing community. These explorations revealed that local artisanal fisheries are an important resource for the islands’ population, providing 60-70% of animal protein for human consumption. Unfortunately, this trip also revealed a borderline catastrophic state of fish stocks, with local artisanal fishermen catching almost exclusively juvenile specimens, and law enforcement being virtually inexistent. The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe are small and relatively unpopulated enough to allow for an effective positive change based on a few specific actions that include: (I) increasing boat-engine power so that fishing is not limited to a very narrow area around the islands; (II) ensuring that fishing licenses are limited, to ensure item “I” does not backlash into depletion of a wider area around the islands; and (III) establishing marine protected areas, therefore protecting both breeding stock as well as juveniles, and actively promoting a spill-over effect into those areas where fishing is allowed. Flying Sharks has committed to assisting the local Fisheries Board in editing and publishing a book/catalogue of local marine fauna. Multiple meetings with NGOs and local Government have laid the foundation for the establishment of a fisheries management plan based on the four main items highlighted before. |
Collection and Acclimation of
Deep-Water Teleosts Without Ever Getting Wet...Almost Frank Young, Dynasty Marine Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
This presentation will review the process of collecting and acclimating deep-water benthic teleosts from depths of 250-700 FSW using recreational fishing gear. It will discuss the selection of fishing locations and the proper gear to use, with additional techniques for actually hooking and landing the fish described in further detail. Once the fish are brought to about 100 FSW, a diver enters the water to de-hook and vent the fish. It is then then slowly brought to 30 FSW where they are vented again and hung in a bag for decompression. After the decompression is complete they are brought to the surface and placed in cool water for transfer to the holding facility. The specialized holding facility for these deep-water fishes also will be highlighted. |
Determining the Life History
and Spawning Cycle of the Grooved Brain Coral Diploria labyrinthiformis Bob Snowden, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Little is known about the spawning cycle or life history of the grooved brain coral, Diploria labyrinthiformis. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium has been working cooperatively with Caribbean Marine Biological Institute (CARMABI) in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles and the SECORE Foundation to determine the spawning cycle of a D. labyrinthiformis population (n=40) located at Holiday Beach in Curacao. Repeat observations of this population were made throughout last year, and gametes were collected, fertilized, reared through embryogenesis into larvae and eventually settled onto ceramic tiles. This year we will be putting 2-year-old D. labyrinthiformis colonies back out onto the reef for the first time. Detailed analysis of the embryogenic cycle was documented as well as the formation of asexual larvae from the breaking apart of some embryos at the prawn chip stage of development. This species – like others in the same genus – is a broadcast spawner, but differs by spawning while the sun is still up. It was thought that this species was spawning like this throughout its entire range, but was not proven until also observed in Puerto Morelos, Mexico in August 2013. This species has now been observed spawning in May, June, July, August and September. This breakthrough in understanding the life history of D. labryinthiformis is an important step towards the conservation of the species and has not been described in detail previously. |
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A Record of Coral Growth
under LED Lights Grant C. Anderson, Marine Cove at Sertoma Butterfly House Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In order to address heating and energy conservation concerns, LED performance was evaluated on a 2,000 gallon coral reef exhibit in the Marine Cove at the Sertoma Butterfly House. The goal of the study was to determine if coral health could not only be sustained, but thrive and flourish under an all-LED environment. The aquarium system used in the study is 120 inches long, 72 inches wide and 36 inches deep. The exhibit is comprised of many small polyp corals at varying depths as well as large polyp corals on the sand bed. Four hundred-watt metal halide fixtures were exchanged for various cannon-form LED lights. The LED cannons consisted of four major manufacturers of the same wattage and composition style. All four were compared by measuring the PAR levels, spectrum, and spread of the LED cannons. Other aspects considered included heating and cooling benefits, the effects of focused light into the exhibits, and increased budget. |
Displaying the Sexy Beast:
Collection and Transport of Large Carcharhinus albimarginatus Lyle Squire, Cairns Marine Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Silvertip sharks (Carcharhinus albimarginatus) are an enigmatic, heavy-set species of requiem shark that attain a length of 10 feet. They are unmistakable with the iconic white blazes on the tips of every fin that appear to glow as they cruise the steep, deep, outer ledges of coral reefs and atolls. In the tropical Indo-Pacific, silvertip sharks have long been revered by divers as one of the most impressive apex predators to be encountered. Despite these striking attributes, silvertip sharks have remained unrepresented in public aquarium collections until recent times, with Cairns Marine completing the world’s first air transport of silvertip sharks from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in 2010. Four years later, and with nearly a decade of fieldwork and research, a suitable location and window of time have been identified for the collection of silvertip sharks for display. This presentation - with a substantial video component - charts the journey from collection on the remote Ribbon Reefs of the GBR (located 250 nautical miles north of Cairns) to the eventual transportation of animals on standard commercial passenger aircraft. The husbandry and holding procedures onboard Cairns Marine’s flagship Sharpshooter are discussed, as well as the care at the land-based facility where preparation for shipping takes place. Recent groundbreaking shipments of these animals have now helped to answer the questions of how large a silvertip shark can be and still be safely transported, and what duration of time can be achieved without compromising animal health. |
How Enriched Artemia Nauplii Affect the Development of White-spotted Jellyfish (Phyllorhiza punctata)
Margarida Ferreira and Hugo Batista, Lisbon Oceanarium (Oceanario de Lisboa) Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The white-spotted jellyfish Phyllorhiza punctata is exhibited in aquariums all over the world. Its growth and overall development has been shown to be extensively dependent on its feeding regime. In order to study the effects of different types of enrichment diets on the growth rate of Phyllorhiza punctata ephyrae, an experiment using bioencapsulation of Artemia nauplii was conducted. In the comparison of different enrichments, results showed that the highest growth rate was promoted by the SELCO enrichment. Observations also indicated that adult Phyllorhiza punctata increased in size and displayed improved overall condition when this type of enrichment was used. |
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Boring but Important:
Supply Chains Defined Laura Simmons, Cairns Marine Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Every wild-collected aquarium animal originates in a fishery, travels within a supply chain and is provided by a supplier, but fisheries, chain of custody and suppliers vary greatly in quality, ethics, size and type. The first concept in understanding source and supply is that all wild-caught aquarium animals come from fisheries. Fisheries are becoming a primary concern for aquarium collections, as they are the first step in every supply chain. Connecting the fishery to the aquarium requires a chain of custody that can be very simple or quite long and complex. Single or short, traceable supply chains originating in established, well-managed fisheries are the most sustainable, but also the least common. The majority of aquarium animals distributed globally come from regions of least management and the supply chains are long, involving collectors, middle men, exporters and importers. The supplier is the primary point of contact for all aquaria when acquiring animals. It is a mistake to assume that knowing the supplier means that an aquarium can trace the origins of its animals. In fact, in most instances, the supplier is simply a wholesaler or trans-shipper at the end of a very long line of actors in the supply of the animals. This presentation will define the fisheries, supply lines, and suppliers from which aquarium animals come, and attempt to give a clearer understanding of the misunderstood reality of animal sourcing. |