A review of the laboratory maintenance, rearing and culture of cephalopod molluscs

Abstract

The historical and current developments associated with keeping cephalopods in captivity a x re-viewed. While cephalopod maintenance is straightforward for many species, rearing and culture are stil! in the early stages of development and :lave been accomplished only on a relatively small scale, akhough recent advances have been substantial. A detailed review of cephalopod diets shows that cephalopods are active carnivores from hatching to adulthood and that they feed primarily on crusraceans, although shelled molluscs, fishes and other cephalopods also are consumed. T o be maintained, reared or cdtured successfully, they generally need: (1) careful handling to avoid skin damage, (2) tank space appropriaie for their benthic or nektonic mode of life, (3) a good supply of high quality water, and (4) a sufficient i l p -ply of live food. Diseases in captivity in only a few cases have been a major problem. Culture is a r?heiul means of providing animals as research models and of obtaining life cycle information, particularly [hat of the critical early rievelopmental periods. A major economic impediment to large-scale culture is the dzvelopment of a cheap, reliable artificial food.