473
day
−1
. They are moved to rectangular 15 L tanks with PVC dens once they show
signs of settlement behaviour.
25.3 Ongrowing
Studies on natural food preferences of R� fontaniana carried out using collected
samples in Concepcion, Chile (36°44’S, 73°10’W), showed that Brachyuran crabs
are the most common part of their diet. Gastropods are not consumed, and they
prefer highly mobile shellfish. These findings indicate that this species displays a
hunter behaviour and has a narrow trophic niche (Ibáñez et al. 2009).
Recent studies concerning the defence of R� fontaniana against predators show
that they have two main strategies: The first is to reduce the probabilities of being
detected by a predator such as Schroederichthys chilensis (pintarroja) by using camouflage, while the second focuses on avoiding being captured by increasing their
inactivity period as a defence mechanism (Ruíz et al. 2012).
There are no cases of grow-out neither in tanks nor in cages reported for this
species; therefore, appropriate growth rate during grow-out of juvenile is not documented.
25.4 Trends in Research and Industrial Level
This species of baby octopus is distributed along the Chilean Pacific Coast and
part of the Argentinian Atlantic Coast. It covers a wide range of temperatures and
salinity levels. Its commercial value as a “baby octopus” is recently being explored
in Chile, which means that its catches are not significant yet, although they are in
Argentina.
Considering its wide geographical distribution, its reproduction potential should
be studied throughout its distribution, both to establish population differences in the
reproductive, paralarval and juvenile characteristics and to select those populations
that best support controlled rearing conditions with productive purposes.
Studies on the composition of toxic (Hg, Pb and Cd) and essential elements
(Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mg, Ca, K, Na and Se) found in seafood, including common Mediterranean and Philippines octopus (1–4 kg) and baby octopus from Thailand, have shown high levels of Cd in baby octopus, as all of its parts are consumed
including viscera, while those common octopuses with arms as their only edible part
show very low Cd levels (Kwoczek et al. 2006). With regard to essential elements,
baby octopus show high amounts of Se and Mg (Kwoczek et al. 2006) similar to
other seafood. Studies looking to avoid the presence of toxic elements as well as to
characterise the functional nutrients are very important to position baby octopus such
as R� fontaniana in global markets as healthy and safe foods. A major positioning will
promote research for the aquaculture production of this resource.
25 Robsonella fontaniana
day
−1
. They are moved to rectangular 15 L tanks with PVC dens once they show
signs of settlement behaviour.
25.3 Ongrowing
Studies on natural food preferences of R� fontaniana carried out using collected
samples in Concepcion, Chile (36°44’S, 73°10’W), showed that Brachyuran crabs
are the most common part of their diet. Gastropods are not consumed, and they
prefer highly mobile shellfish. These findings indicate that this species displays a
hunter behaviour and has a narrow trophic niche (Ibáñez et al. 2009).
Recent studies concerning the defence of R� fontaniana against predators show
that they have two main strategies: The first is to reduce the probabilities of being
detected by a predator such as Schroederichthys chilensis (pintarroja) by using camouflage, while the second focuses on avoiding being captured by increasing their
inactivity period as a defence mechanism (Ruíz et al. 2012).
There are no cases of grow-out neither in tanks nor in cages reported for this
species; therefore, appropriate growth rate during grow-out of juvenile is not documented.
25.4 Trends in Research and Industrial Level
This species of baby octopus is distributed along the Chilean Pacific Coast and
part of the Argentinian Atlantic Coast. It covers a wide range of temperatures and
salinity levels. Its commercial value as a “baby octopus” is recently being explored
in Chile, which means that its catches are not significant yet, although they are in
Argentina.
Considering its wide geographical distribution, its reproduction potential should
be studied throughout its distribution, both to establish population differences in the
reproductive, paralarval and juvenile characteristics and to select those populations
that best support controlled rearing conditions with productive purposes.
Studies on the composition of toxic (Hg, Pb and Cd) and essential elements
(Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mg, Ca, K, Na and Se) found in seafood, including common Mediterranean and Philippines octopus (1–4 kg) and baby octopus from Thailand, have shown high levels of Cd in baby octopus, as all of its parts are consumed
including viscera, while those common octopuses with arms as their only edible part
show very low Cd levels (Kwoczek et al. 2006). With regard to essential elements,
baby octopus show high amounts of Se and Mg (Kwoczek et al. 2006) similar to
other seafood. Studies looking to avoid the presence of toxic elements as well as to
characterise the functional nutrients are very important to position baby octopus such
as R� fontaniana in global markets as healthy and safe foods. A major positioning will
promote research for the aquaculture production of this resource.
25 Robsonella fontaniana