Preliminary observations on breeding and rearing the seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) in captivity |
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Authors: | C M C Woods |
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Institution: | 1. National Institute of Water &2. Atmospheric Research Ltd , P.O.Box 14 901, Wellington, New Zealand E-mail: c.woods@niwa.cri.nz |
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Abstract: | A small‐scale preliminary investigation into the breeding and rearing of the seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis Leeson, 1827 in New Zealand was conducted using 12 wildbroodstock. These broodstock were maintained in a hatchery for breeding and the breeding behaviours exhibited by these were observed and described. Over a period of 6 months a total of 12 broods of juveniles were produced. These were then raised on a diet consisting mainly of enriched Artemia for a period of 1 year. After this period juveniles had reached a mean ± 1 SE total length of 110.73 ±0.13 mm, mean ± 1 SE wet weight of 3.07 + 0.23 g, and were reproductively mature. The mean + 1 SE survival per brood after 1 year was 10.57 ± 3.49%. |
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Keywords: | seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis captivity breeding rearing |
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