Effect of early development conditions on common clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) growth

Abstract

The global aquarium trade of marine species has been increasing in the last decades. This industry causes the destruction of coral reef ecosystems and depletion of wild stocks by the means of unsustainable overcollection techniques. Consequently, marine aquaculture of ornamental species is proposed as an alternative to cease the problem. This project aims to report the optimal ex-situ aquaculture conditions of sixteen early common clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris Cuvier 1830 juveniles in the Aquarium of Gijon (Spain). For that purpose, fishes were split first in two groups (n=8) and then in four groups (n=4) to analyze the influence of the presence of Entacmaea quadricolor (Leuckart,1828) bubbletip anemone and different diets (Frozen vs. live feed) on growth. Growth was analyzed measuring the total length (mm) and weight (mg) of individualized fishes. Results showed the positive effect of rearing clownfish with anemones, as growth (both length and weight measures) was significantly higher in fishes under this treatment. No significant results were obtained for the diet experiment and yet literature in this topic is scarce. Therefore, further research is needed in this field for the optimization of captive bred clownfish diet. Results of this project can be helpful for the ex-situ rearing of other clownfish or symbiont marine ornamental species in the near future.

La composición y abundancia de la dieta tiene efectos importantes sobre el crecimiento y el desarrollo durante las etapas juveniles, pero la dieta también puede tener efectos a medio y largo plazo en algunos rasgos relacionados con la eficacia biológica. En este estudio, se evaluarán estos efectos en peces marinos que generalmente se mantienen en acuarios públicos. El objetivo se centrará principalmente en Hippocampus sp. y Amphiprion sp., dependiendo de la disponibilidad de las puestas que se puedan obtener.