Growth of the hatchery-produced juveniles of commercial sea cucumber Holothuria (Theelothuria) spinifera Theel

Abstract

The present study was conducted to develop the hatchery technology for seed production of the widely exploited commercial sea cucumber Holothuria spinifera Theel 1886, to facilitate an effective stock enhancement programme. Broodstock collected by skin divers were used for spawning trials. The embryonic and larval stages were similar to other aspidochirotes. The larval survival rate was 43.5% on day 9, which decreased to 18.3% nearing metamorphosis on day 13, the growth rate was 48 μm day-1 and the settlement rate was 3.5%. Algamac® used to induce settlement also served as the food source for the early settled juveniles, followed by Sargassum spp. extract (<40 μm) for the first month. Sargassum spp. powder along with fine sand (1:1) was given to juveniles >20 mm. Addition of Spirulina spp. along with Sargassum spp. powder and fine sand (0.5:1:2) enhanced the growth rate of the juveniles. In the hatchery, the juveniles attained an average size of 1, 30 and 48 on 20, 80 and 120 days respectively. © 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.