Coral Culture Abstracts

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Thinking Outside the Aquarium: Taking an interdisciplinary approach to animal husbandry

Lauren Harper,
Aquarium of the Pacific
Full Abstract
By using some creative thinking, The Aquarium of the Pacific reached beyond the traditional and found alternative methods to improve the husbandry of corals. Our process of discovery and eventual success involved looking outside of our aquarium box and instead to horticulture, art, dentistry, medicine and orthopedics. From these disciplines, we adapted more efficient techniques for cleaning, fragmenting and treating coral, and doing so has led to better coral growth and recovery from disease. This use of unconventional methods to solve difficult problems could help others in our industry succeed in displaying species we never thought we could.

​Florida’s ongoing coral disease outbreak: status and conservation opportunities

Maurizio Martinelli,
Florida Sea Grant
Full Abstract
Since 2014, the Florida Reef Tract has been experiencing a devastating outbreak of the novel Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). SCTLD is known to affect roughly 20 coral species in Florida, including major framework‐builders and species listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. SCTLD is a contagious disease with high species‐specific prevalence and mortality rates, leading to significant impacts to nearshore coral communities and the near extirpation of highly susceptible species from some impacted reefs. A key component of the management response to SCTLD is the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Program. This program seeks to collect colonies of susceptible species from unimpacted areas in order to preserve some of the remaining genetic diversity. Rescued colonies will be distributed among land‐ based care and propagation facilities, including affiliates of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, to serve as the basis for future coral restoration efforts in Florida.
The Coral Crisis: Assessing the Conservation Potential of Captive Coral Populations in Aquariums and Zoos

Meredith Knott,
Species360
Full Abstract
Marine ecosystems are facing unprecedented threats that lead to continuous biodiversity loss. Among the affected taxa, corals are disappearing at a fast pace leaving behind empty environments for species that depend on them. In 2011, 75% of the world coral reefs were considered threatened by human activities and many of them might vanish by 2050. At the current rate of loss, protecting the remaining corals might not be sufficient and aquariums are seen as crucial for the conservation of the ecosystems. This project assessed the number of corals in the Species360 ZIMS database network to understand the potential of captive individuals for conservation of corals reefs by comparing the population against IUCN Red List status, vulnerability to climate change, and species evolutionary distinctness. Aquariums can provide genetic information and expertise on how to successfully handle, reproduce and propagate corals. The wealth of data can help them recover from years of damage.

Invasive Shrimp to Innovative Feeds


Nuri Fisher,
Piscine Energetics
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Full Abstract
Mysis diluviana was introduced into Okanagan Lake in 1966 to provide an additional food source for rainbow trout and kokanee salmon, but this theory has proven to be largely incorrect and the introductions caused competition between mysids and kokanee for the same food source. In the deep lake, the Kokanee eat few of the shrimp, and instead, the shrimp compete with juvenile Kokanee for selective macrozooplanktors such as Daphnia sp. Invasive, Mysis shrimp have decreased the quantity of food available to Kokanee. The experimental harvest of mysids began on Okanagan Lake with the long erm objective of removing enough mysids to provide kokanee with a competitive advantage. Under the auspices of the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Piscine Energetics pioneered and invented fishing technology for environmentally sustainable harvesting and removal of the invasive Mysis shrimp from Lake Okanagan. The technology enables the simultaneous live harvesting of Mysis Shrimp and facilitates the live reintroduction of non-target species (i.e. Kokanee fry) unharmed and in pristine condition back to the lake.
Captive Propagation of a Federally Endangered Species, the Laurel Dace (Chrosomus saylori)

Meredith Harris,
Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute
Full Abstract
Chrosomus saylori (Laurel Dace) is a federally endangered species known from eight streams on Walden Ridge of the Cumberland Plateau. Populations have suffered from heavy siltation and declining water quality, and recent sampling indicates this species persists in only two streams. Thus, this species is in critical need of conservation including the development of captive propagation protocols. Here, we report the findings from 2018 and preliminary results from 2019 from propagation at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute in Chattanooga, TN. Broodstock were collected from Bumbee Creek in Rhea County, TN in 2016 and 2018. Spawning occurred from April to May, when the water temperature was 20 ‐ 24.6°C. A total of 809 eggs were collected and survivorship was 54%. Previously unknown reproductive and developmental strategies were documented. These findings represent the first account of captive spawning of the Laurel Dace, and provide invaluable insight into an understudied and imperiled species.