Open AccessFirst Record of Captive Larval Culture and Metamorphosis of the Pacific Blue Tang, Paracanthurus hepatus
Author(s) -
DiMaggio Matthew A.,
Cassiano Eric J.,
Barden Kevin P.,
Ramee Shane W.,
Ohs Cortney L.,
Watson Craig A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of the world aquaculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0893-8849
DOI - 10.1111/jwas.12426
Subject(s) - metamorphosis , biology , broodstock , larva , captivity , instar , juvenile , population , zoology , reproduction , copepod , fishery , ecology , aquaculture , crustacean , fish <actinopterygii> , demography , sociology
Abstract The Pacific blue tang, Paracanthurus hepatus , is consistently among the top 20 marine ornamental species imported into the USA , with all specimens presently sourced from wild stocks. Captive culture of this species through metamorphosis has not been previously documented and fundamental information regarding reproduction, larval culture, and production techniques is scarce. This study aimed to elucidate methods that would advance our understanding and success with captive propagation of this species. A total of 50,000 eggs were collected from a single broodstock population and stocked in a 1000‐L tank. Beginning at 3 d posthatch ( DPH ), larvae were fed three times daily a diet comprised exclusively of copepod nauplii. At 12 DPH , enriched rotifers were first fed followed by powdered feed ( 20 DPH ) and first instar Artemia ( 21 DPH ). Large mortality events were observed at 7 and 20 DPH , corresponding with starvation and flexion, respectively. By 41 DPH , the majority of the remaining larvae began associating with the bottom of the culture tank. On Day 50, the first signs of blue pigmentation marked the beginning of metamorphosis. A total of 27 juvenile blue tangs were cultured during this trial. This effort represents the first successful culture of this species in captivity.