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Chapter 23
Octopus vulgaris. Paralarval Culture
José Iglesias and Lidia Fuentes
J. Iglesias et al. (eds.), Cephalopod Culture, DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-8648-5_23,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014
J. Iglesias () · L. Fuentes
Oceanographic Center of Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO),
Subida a Radio Faro 50, 36390 Vigo, Spain
e-mail: jose.iglesias@vi.ieo.es
L. Fuentes
e-mail: lidia.fuentes.moledo@gmail.com
Abstract There have been many attempts worldwide to produce in captivity juveniles of Octopus vulgaris, one the most studied cephalopod species in the world
because of its very strong market interest. This chapter reviews the different methods used to obtain and maintain broodstocks and the rearing technologies applied
to the paralarvae. The main parameters and culture methods to rear the planktonic
stage are discussed and a protocol for the rearing of the paralarvae is suggested.
The main bottlenecks in the cultivation of this species are emphasized, and further
research topics are suggested, including both technical and biological aspects.
In laboratory trials, the best growth and survival of the paralarval phase is currently achieved by feeding a mixed live diet composed of enriched Artemia and
crustacean zoeae. However, this method is not transferable to a commercial scale
as there is limited availability of live zoeae. In order to advance from a research to
an industrial scale, it is essential to develop an inert diet with the appropriate nutritional composition to be supplied from an age of 1 month onwards. Another option
would be to develop an appropriate enrichment protocol for Artemia so that its
composition simulates more closely that of crustacean larvae or wild zooplankton.
A protocol for the first month of O� vulgaris paralarvae culture, which allows the
production of good-quality individuals (in terms of dry weight and survival) to start
the settlement process, is proposed. Relatively high survival rates and paralarvae
dry weights of 1.3–1.8 mg can be attained after 1 month on a sole diet of Artemia.
These weights are increased to 2.5–3.5 mg when that diet is supplemented with
zoeae.
Keywords Octopus vulgaris · Common octopus · Paralarvae rearing · Paralarvae
feeding · Culture conditions
Chapter 23
Octopus vulgaris. Paralarval Culture
José Iglesias and Lidia Fuentes
J. Iglesias et al. (eds.), Cephalopod Culture, DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-8648-5_23,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014
J. Iglesias () · L. Fuentes
Oceanographic Center of Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO),
Subida a Radio Faro 50, 36390 Vigo, Spain
e-mail: jose.iglesias@vi.ieo.es
L. Fuentes
e-mail: lidia.fuentes.moledo@gmail.com
Abstract There have been many attempts worldwide to produce in captivity juveniles of Octopus vulgaris, one the most studied cephalopod species in the world
because of its very strong market interest. This chapter reviews the different methods used to obtain and maintain broodstocks and the rearing technologies applied
to the paralarvae. The main parameters and culture methods to rear the planktonic
stage are discussed and a protocol for the rearing of the paralarvae is suggested.
The main bottlenecks in the cultivation of this species are emphasized, and further
research topics are suggested, including both technical and biological aspects.
In laboratory trials, the best growth and survival of the paralarval phase is currently achieved by feeding a mixed live diet composed of enriched Artemia and
crustacean zoeae. However, this method is not transferable to a commercial scale
as there is limited availability of live zoeae. In order to advance from a research to
an industrial scale, it is essential to develop an inert diet with the appropriate nutritional composition to be supplied from an age of 1 month onwards. Another option
would be to develop an appropriate enrichment protocol for Artemia so that its
composition simulates more closely that of crustacean larvae or wild zooplankton.
A protocol for the first month of O� vulgaris paralarvae culture, which allows the
production of good-quality individuals (in terms of dry weight and survival) to start
the settlement process, is proposed. Relatively high survival rates and paralarvae
dry weights of 1.3–1.8 mg can be attained after 1 month on a sole diet of Artemia.
These weights are increased to 2.5–3.5 mg when that diet is supplemented with
zoeae.
Keywords Octopus vulgaris · Common octopus · Paralarvae rearing · Paralarvae
feeding · Culture conditions