Journal of Environmental Biology

Hatchery production of the clownfish Amphiprion nigripes

at Agatti island, Lakshadweep, India

Author Details

T.T. Ajith Kumar

(Corresponding author)

Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology - Field Research Station, Agatti Island - 682 553,

Lakshadweep, India

e-mail : ttajith87@gmail.com

M. Gopi

Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology - Field Research Station, Agatti Island - 682 553, Lakshadweep, India

K.V. Dhaneesh

Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology - Field Research Station, Agatti Island - 682 553, Lakshadweep, India

R. Vinoth

Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology - Field Research Station, Agatti Island - 682 553, Lakshadweep, India

S. Ghosh

Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology - Field Research Station, Agatti Island - 682 553, Lakshadweep, India

T. Balasubramanian ???????

Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology - Field Research Station, Agatti Island - 682 553, Lakshadweep, India

T. Shunmugaraj

Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology - Field Research Station, Agatti Island - 682 553, Lakshadweep, India

Publication Data

Paper received:

11 November 2010

Revised received:

05 May 2011

Accepted:

26 May 2011

Abstract

Healthy individuals of matured clownfish, Amphiprion nigripes and sea anemone, Heteractis magnifica were collected from the Agatti island lagoon by snorkeling. During ?conditioning? for 3 months, pair formation occurred and the same were transferred to rectangular fiber glass spawning tanks of 1000 l capacity. Suitable water quality parameters were maintained. The fishes were fed with tuna eggs, boiled clam meat, squid, octopus and trash fish thrice in a day. Reproductive behaviour and embryonic development were documented. Spawning took place in between 0900 - 1100 hr and hatched-out occurs, after sunset following an incubation period of 8-9 days. Size of the newly laid egg was 2.0-2.2 mm in length and 1.0-1.2 mm in width. The larval rearing tanks were maintained with UV-treated water and followed the optimal physico-chemical parameters as in the parent tanks. The different light regimes and diets were used for the successful larval rearing. The maximum larval survival (61%) was achieved at the photoperiod of 24 L/0D. Within 15-17 days, the larvae metamorphosed and took up parent colouration and comparatively high growth rate was observed when fed on algae enriched rotifer than those with poly unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). ?????????

Key words

Hatchery production, Amphiprion nigripes, Embryonic development, Larval rearing, Photoperiod ??

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