168
G. J. Barord and J. A. Basil
hatching of N� belauensis and the distribution of nautiluses. Shigeno et al. (2008)
examined N� pompilius embryos and the development of the soft parts, and found
their developmental trajectory supported the hypothesis that they represent the ancestral cephalopod condition, particularly in the head region. Most notably, Shigeno
et al. (2008) support the “arms as foot” hypothesis in nautilus based upon their
embryological research.
10.4 Husbandry
The first living nautilus successfully housed in an aquarium occurred in 1958 at the
Noumea Aquarium in New Caledonia (Catala 1964). Since then, many more aquariums, zoos, and research institutions have housed nautiluses. Husbandry guidelines
were developed over 25 years ago and still serve as the accepted practices (Carlson
1987; Hamada et al. 1987; Spinosa 1987). Though these guidelines still appear to
be effective, the increased attention to cephalopod welfare (Moltschaniwskyj et al.
2008) warrants directed attention to follow these standards and do everything possible to improve husbandry.
10.4.1 Source and Capture
Carlson (1987) described the source and capture of live nautiluses though there
are several different methods in use. The general collection and acclimatization of
nautiluses to captive aquariums are described below. Most of the live nautiluses being imported are collected in the Philippines. Nautiluses are obtained from the wild
using baited deep water traps. Though trap design varies, the traps are baited with
some type of dead meat, commonly chicken, and set from 200 to 400 m overnight.
The traps are retrieved the next morning and nautiluses are recovered. Nautiluses
must be transported in chilled oxygenated sea water. Nautiluses received from the
wild should be acclimatized to the primary holding system to equalize temperature
and pH. This can be done by floating the shipment bags in the holding-tank waters
and replacing the shipment water with holding-tank water every 10 min or so. Or,
a direct slow drip from the tanks into the holding bags, with the aim of acclimating
within about an hour, can be used. After acclimatization has been achieved, the nautiluses should be placed into the holding system with as little contact out of water
as possible. Once placed in the primary holding system, each nautilus should be
“burped” to remove any possible air bubbles that may have resulted during transit.
This can be done by slowly rolling the nautilus in your hand, underwater, with the
funnel facing up, for several minutes. Air bubbles trapped within the mantle cavity
and eye can cause serious complications down the line. Similar to zebras, nautiluses
can be individually identified based upon their striped pattern though permanent
markers can be used to label individuals on the shell.
G. J. Barord and J. A. Basil
hatching of N� belauensis and the distribution of nautiluses. Shigeno et al. (2008)
examined N� pompilius embryos and the development of the soft parts, and found
their developmental trajectory supported the hypothesis that they represent the ancestral cephalopod condition, particularly in the head region. Most notably, Shigeno
et al. (2008) support the “arms as foot” hypothesis in nautilus based upon their
embryological research.
10.4 Husbandry
The first living nautilus successfully housed in an aquarium occurred in 1958 at the
Noumea Aquarium in New Caledonia (Catala 1964). Since then, many more aquariums, zoos, and research institutions have housed nautiluses. Husbandry guidelines
were developed over 25 years ago and still serve as the accepted practices (Carlson
1987; Hamada et al. 1987; Spinosa 1987). Though these guidelines still appear to
be effective, the increased attention to cephalopod welfare (Moltschaniwskyj et al.
2008) warrants directed attention to follow these standards and do everything possible to improve husbandry.
10.4.1 Source and Capture
Carlson (1987) described the source and capture of live nautiluses though there
are several different methods in use. The general collection and acclimatization of
nautiluses to captive aquariums are described below. Most of the live nautiluses being imported are collected in the Philippines. Nautiluses are obtained from the wild
using baited deep water traps. Though trap design varies, the traps are baited with
some type of dead meat, commonly chicken, and set from 200 to 400 m overnight.
The traps are retrieved the next morning and nautiluses are recovered. Nautiluses
must be transported in chilled oxygenated sea water. Nautiluses received from the
wild should be acclimatized to the primary holding system to equalize temperature
and pH. This can be done by floating the shipment bags in the holding-tank waters
and replacing the shipment water with holding-tank water every 10 min or so. Or,
a direct slow drip from the tanks into the holding bags, with the aim of acclimating
within about an hour, can be used. After acclimatization has been achieved, the nautiluses should be placed into the holding system with as little contact out of water
as possible. Once placed in the primary holding system, each nautilus should be
“burped” to remove any possible air bubbles that may have resulted during transit.
This can be done by slowly rolling the nautilus in your hand, underwater, with the
funnel facing up, for several minutes. Air bubbles trapped within the mantle cavity
and eye can cause serious complications down the line. Similar to zebras, nautiluses
can be individually identified based upon their striped pattern though permanent
markers can be used to label individuals on the shell.