Mariculture of the loliginid squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana through seven successive generations

Abstract

Sepioteuthis lessoniana is a commercially important squid throughout the Indo-West Pacific and is a useful species in biomedical research. It has now been cultured through seven successive generations in closed, recirculating seawater systems. Egg viability was highest in the parental generation (34.9%) and significantly decreased in the next six generations with a viability rate of 1.56–13%. The highest hatchling survival was in G 4 (80.3%) and the lowest was in G 3 (26.3%). Water quality was maintained at acceptable levels during each successive generation (NH 4<0.1 ppm, NO 2<0.05 ppm, NO 3<50 ppm, pH>8.0). Life spans ranged from 169 to 262 days (5.6–8.7 months) with a mean of 208 days (6.9 months). The seven generations reached mean adult sizes at 500–900 g. The age of sexual maturity for females was recorded for all populations except G 6 and ranged from 146 to 224 days (4.9–7.5 months) with an average of 171 days (5.7 months). Sex ratios did not consistently vary from 1:1 in any generation. Live food (i.e., crustaceans and fish) was the only food supplied throughout their life cycle.