Development towards commercialization of marine fish larvae feeds – Microdiets: Final FRDC report - Project 2004/258

The project specifically focused on developing formulated diets for marine fish larvae, specifically targeting more physical aspects of microdiets such as feeding methods, feed availability and particle recognition. A commercially ready microdiet formulation was developed that achieved better ingestion, digestion and survival for yellowtail kingfish than other commercially available diets. Two manufacturers of aquaculture feeds showed interested in the formulations, however neither of the companies have started producing the diet commercially

Development of octopus aquaculture: Rearing, handling and systems design for Octopus tetricus commercial aquaculture FRDC Project No 2009/206

The following document ‘Development of octopus aquaculture, rearing, handling and systems designs for Octopus tetricus commercial aquaculture’ contains protocols developed during the FRDC project 2009/206. These protocols encompass the most up-to-date rearing, handling and systems designs for Octopus tetricus commercial aquaculture. These protocols are the result of extensive research and development work carried out over the past four years by the Department of Fisheries, Western Australia and summarised in the final project report

Development of octopus aquaculture Final Report FRDC Project No 2009/206

During the past four years, the marine aquaculture group at the WA Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories (WAFMRL) in collaboration with Occoculture Pty Ltd (subsidiary of Fremantle Octopus) and as a part of the FRDC project ‘Octopus Aquaculture Development’, investigated the potential of octopus aquaculture in Western Australia. Hatchery methods were developed in an attempt to close the life cycle. Advanced systems, rearing and feeding protocols were established for ranching Octopus tetricus juveniles

Development towards commercialization of marine fish larvae feeds – Microdiets: Final FRDC report - Project 2004/258

The project specifically focused on developing formulated diets for marine fish larvae, specifically targeting more physical aspects of microdiets such as feeding methods, feed availability and particle recognition. A commercially ready microdiet formulation was developed that achieved better ingestion, digestion and survival for yellowtail kingfish than other commercially available diets. Two manufacturers of aquaculture feeds showed interested in the formulations, however neither of the companies have started producing the diet commercially

The effect of delayed first feeding on growth and survival of yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus arabicus) larvae

The effect of different initial feeding times (48 h, 72 h, 96 h, and 120 h after hatching) and food deprivation on the point-of-no-return (PNR), survival, and growth of yellowfin seabream Acanthopagrus arabicus larvae were studied under controlled condition. Growth parameters were investigated by evaluating morphometric (head depth, body depth, gut height, musculature height, eye diameter, total length, yolk, and oil globule volume) and gravimetric (dry weight) indices. The larvae commenced to feed exogenously at the mouth opening stage on day 2 after hatching (DAH) and reached PNR between 6 and 7 DAH at 19–20 °C. The time of initial feeding significantly affected the larval growth. From 3 DAH until the end of the trial period at 15 DAH, the growth (all morphometric indices and dry weight) of larvae started which earlier initial feeding start (48 h and 72 h after hatching) were significantly higher than that of 96 h (P < 0.05). Growth parameters were measured until 9 DAH in the larvae commenced feeding at 120 h, since complete mortality was recorded after this sampling point (at 12 DAH). During this period, the larvae showed significantly lower morphometric indices and dry weight compared with larvae in other initial feeding time treatments (48 h, 72 h, and 96 h). Yolk absorption in yellowfin seabream larvae was completed on 4 DAH regardless of the variances in the time of first feeding. Likewise, the oil globule was completely utilized on 5 DAH in all initial feeding trials. No significant differences were noticed in yolk volume and oil globule absorption between different treatments. At the end of the trial at 15 DAH, the survival rate was significantly higher for larvae began first feeding at 48 h (35.67 ± 7.01%) and 72 h (36.48 ± 4.72%) when compared to 96 h first feeding larvae (13.10 ± 2.62%)(P < 0.05). The findings from the current study reveal that the first feeding of yellowfin seabream larvae can be initiated up to 72 h after hatching with no significant differences in growth and survival rate