Paralarval rearing of Octopus vulgaris (Cuvier) in Tuscany, Italy

Abstract

This paper describes the research work carried out on Octopus vulgaris reproduction at Maricoltura di Rosignano Solvay, Italy, during the period 2002–2007. Already in the first few years, it was possible to establish healthy broodstock groups, starting from subadults captured in the wild. Obtaining numerous viable eggs was not difficult and paralarval rearing up to around 40 days was successful. In 2007, the first juveniles were produced and the oldest juvenile reached the age of 160 days. During the initial stages, careful attention was paid to work as closely as possible with standard aquaculture procedures for live food production (mainly the use of Artemia and rotifers as live prey) and paralarval rearing techniques, in order to facilitate the step towards industrialization later on.