410
21.5.2 Floating Cage Culture
Growth experiments were carried out by using six floating cages made of HDPE
(1 m
3
) installed in a raft. The experimental conditions were similar to those of the
inland experiments. In these cages, the growth of the octopuses was similar to that
of inland, but the survival rate was more than 70 %, and the growth was duplicated
in 60 days of culture.
Results from O� mimus culture experiences show that this species can be managed in captivity at densities lower than 10 individuals m
−3
, although we needed to improve the composition of the diet that enhances growth. Survival can be
increased by separating the animals according to sex, which adds an extra cost to
the operation. Growing female octopuses have the disadvantage of the high energy
cost of the physiological and ethological reproductive processes for the reason that
females lose weight during reproduction. However, the sexual maturity process can
be inhibited using light which also favours growth.
It is necessary to address the problem of our inability for mass production of octopus paralarval and juvenile (seeds) in hatchery. Otherwise, the culture will always
depend on juveniles and subadults captured in the wild by divers, which elevates the
cost and reduces the profitability of the culture.
21.6 Trends in Research and Industrial Level
Violating legal regulations of the octopus fishery may lead to a collapse in some
O� mimus populations that are favoured during the ENSO events. Research on the
effects of seawater temperature oscillations on O� mimus along with its distribution
range should be carried out to know how ENSO and other environmental perturbations modulate octopus distribution and fisheries.
Easy acclimation to captivity and acceptance of diverse types of diets make O�
mimus a promising species for aquaculture. However, metabolic and physiological
studies are needed in order to formulate an optimal diet for paralarvae and juveniles, which yields a higher growth rate than in the wild. In addition, the industrial
farming of this species will not be possible until rearing technology and feeding
physiology are known.
21.7 Conclusion
Nowadays, the culture of O� mimus is still at a research level. As other octopus species, O� mimus has a great potential to be cultured, but paralarvae rearing should be solved before it becomes a real and profitable species to diversify
aquaculture in Chile and Perú. Moreover, considering its importance to the fishery
Ó. Zúñiga et al.
21.5.2 Floating Cage Culture
Growth experiments were carried out by using six floating cages made of HDPE
(1 m
3
) installed in a raft. The experimental conditions were similar to those of the
inland experiments. In these cages, the growth of the octopuses was similar to that
of inland, but the survival rate was more than 70 %, and the growth was duplicated
in 60 days of culture.
Results from O� mimus culture experiences show that this species can be managed in captivity at densities lower than 10 individuals m
−3
, although we needed to improve the composition of the diet that enhances growth. Survival can be
increased by separating the animals according to sex, which adds an extra cost to
the operation. Growing female octopuses have the disadvantage of the high energy
cost of the physiological and ethological reproductive processes for the reason that
females lose weight during reproduction. However, the sexual maturity process can
be inhibited using light which also favours growth.
It is necessary to address the problem of our inability for mass production of octopus paralarval and juvenile (seeds) in hatchery. Otherwise, the culture will always
depend on juveniles and subadults captured in the wild by divers, which elevates the
cost and reduces the profitability of the culture.
21.6 Trends in Research and Industrial Level
Violating legal regulations of the octopus fishery may lead to a collapse in some
O� mimus populations that are favoured during the ENSO events. Research on the
effects of seawater temperature oscillations on O� mimus along with its distribution
range should be carried out to know how ENSO and other environmental perturbations modulate octopus distribution and fisheries.
Easy acclimation to captivity and acceptance of diverse types of diets make O�
mimus a promising species for aquaculture. However, metabolic and physiological
studies are needed in order to formulate an optimal diet for paralarvae and juveniles, which yields a higher growth rate than in the wild. In addition, the industrial
farming of this species will not be possible until rearing technology and feeding
physiology are known.
21.7 Conclusion
Nowadays, the culture of O� mimus is still at a research level. As other octopus species, O� mimus has a great potential to be cultured, but paralarvae rearing should be solved before it becomes a real and profitable species to diversify
aquaculture in Chile and Perú. Moreover, considering its importance to the fishery
Ó. Zúñiga et al.