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A Simple Self‐Contained Incubator for Cichlid Eggs
Author(s) -
Brooks George B.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
north american journal of aquaculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.432
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1548-8454
pISSN - 1522-2055
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8454(2002)064<0164:asscif>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - incubator , biology , cichlid , zoology , simple (philosophy) , fishery , microbiology and biotechnology , fish <actinopterygii> , philosophy , epistemology
This report describes a simplified, low‐cost method for artificially incubating eggs of mouth‐brooding tilapia Oreochromis spp. The complete incubator consists of an aquarium and a core element that agitates the eggs with a low‐head airlift pump. This technique was flexible and simple in design and construction. In addition, the technique was self‐contained and in most circumstances required only a source of compressed air to function. Using a 0.3‐L egg chamber within a 38‐L aquarium, up to 1,000 tilapia eggs were successfully reared to swim‐up fry with minimal losses (5–10%). A commercial test using a 95‐L reservoir and multiple cores consistently produced batches exceeding 15,000 fry. This technique is suited for both commercial hatchery and middle school through college laboratory use.