433
23 Octopus vulgaris. Paralarval Culture
animal welfare legislation, the definition of live cephalopods, stress, pain and suffering. Although some recent reports have been published on this topic, research on
appropriate culture conditions, behaviour and stress responses must be carried out
in the near future. For more information on this topic, see Chap. 6.
Iglesias et al. (2007) made a comparative analysis of the different broodstock
conditioning systems used in the world and concluded that whereas methods of
capture, transport, food supply and light intensity are similar among different research groups, male to female ratios and the holding temperatures (14–25 ºC) may
differ widely. With regard to this subject, it is possible to establish the following
recommendations.
23.2.1 Broodstock Capture and Transport
Trawl nets enable the capture of large numbers of octopus, but can both harm the
individuals and cause a negative environmental impact. Consequently, selective
fishing methods like creels or individual traps are recommended for the capture of
spawners.
Individual mesh bags or separate containers can be used during and after transportation in order to avoid attacks between individuals, stress and subsequent mortality (Fuentes et al. 2005). Oxygen supply is recommended, particularly when
stocking densities are high.
23.2.2 Food Supply
Broodstock diet can influence the biochemical composition and biometrical
relationships of the newly hatched paralarvae (Quintana et al. 2007, 2009; Márquez
et al. 2013). Frozen and fresh crustaceans and fish of low commercial value are usually used as food with optimal results (Iglesias et al. 2007; Quintana 2009; Estefanell
2012). Adult females refuse feed when spawning is imminent (see Chap. 1); in
consequence, the quantity of food should be reduced during this period to maintain
good water quality.
23.2.3 Sex Ratio
Some authors (Villanueva 1995; Okumura et al. 2005) capture only wild mature
females during the natural spawning season to obtain eggs in captivity; these
females are usually already fertilised from previous matings and can preserve viable
sperm in their oviducts for long periods. In these cases, males are not needed.
Nevertheless, most authors obtain viable eggs by keeping males and females
together in a ratio of 1:3 (Iglesias et al. 2000, 2007).
23 Octopus vulgaris. Paralarval Culture
animal welfare legislation, the definition of live cephalopods, stress, pain and suffering. Although some recent reports have been published on this topic, research on
appropriate culture conditions, behaviour and stress responses must be carried out
in the near future. For more information on this topic, see Chap. 6.
Iglesias et al. (2007) made a comparative analysis of the different broodstock
conditioning systems used in the world and concluded that whereas methods of
capture, transport, food supply and light intensity are similar among different research groups, male to female ratios and the holding temperatures (14–25 ºC) may
differ widely. With regard to this subject, it is possible to establish the following
recommendations.
23.2.1 Broodstock Capture and Transport
Trawl nets enable the capture of large numbers of octopus, but can both harm the
individuals and cause a negative environmental impact. Consequently, selective
fishing methods like creels or individual traps are recommended for the capture of
spawners.
Individual mesh bags or separate containers can be used during and after transportation in order to avoid attacks between individuals, stress and subsequent mortality (Fuentes et al. 2005). Oxygen supply is recommended, particularly when
stocking densities are high.
23.2.2 Food Supply
Broodstock diet can influence the biochemical composition and biometrical
relationships of the newly hatched paralarvae (Quintana et al. 2007, 2009; Márquez
et al. 2013). Frozen and fresh crustaceans and fish of low commercial value are usually used as food with optimal results (Iglesias et al. 2007; Quintana 2009; Estefanell
2012). Adult females refuse feed when spawning is imminent (see Chap. 1); in
consequence, the quantity of food should be reduced during this period to maintain
good water quality.
23.2.3 Sex Ratio
Some authors (Villanueva 1995; Okumura et al. 2005) capture only wild mature
females during the natural spawning season to obtain eggs in captivity; these
females are usually already fertilised from previous matings and can preserve viable
sperm in their oviducts for long periods. In these cases, males are not needed.
Nevertheless, most authors obtain viable eggs by keeping males and females
together in a ratio of 1:3 (Iglesias et al. 2000, 2007).