Marine Finfish 



Spawning requirements have been determined in the U.S. for very few 

 marine tinfish. Anadromous and estuarine species are more 

 adaptable to the aquaculture environment. Most marine finfish 

 cultured today are captured from the wild and reared in coastal 

 saltwater ponds. 



A successful sturgeon fishery has been established in the Soviet 

 Union by injecting hormones into broodfish that are captured during 

 their spawning migrations. Hybrid sturgeon with improved growth 

 rates have been produced. Research is now underway to culture 

 sturgeon in the U.S. 



Mullet, rabbitfish, and milkfish, three of the most important 

 species for marine aquaculture in Asia, have only recently been 

 spawned in captivity in the U.S. Genetic information is sparse and 

 there are no established broodfish lines of marine finfish. 

 Pompano, black and red drum, mahimahi (dolphin fish), and a few 

 other species have been captured from the wild and spawned by using 

 combinations of temperature and photoperiod control and hormone 

 injections . 



Molluscs 



Oysters and clams are the only molluscs for which significant 

 commercial hatchery techniques have been developed. Oysters can be 

 spawned at any season of the year by manipulating temperature. 

 Limited selective breeding has been conducted to produce strains 

 with faster growth rates and increased disease resistance. 

 Additional research will be required to quantify the genetic 

 variation found in wild oyster populations and to assess their 

 potential for aquaculture. Clams and mussels have been spawned 

 using techniques similar to those used for oysters. A few hybrids 

 have been produced but our knowledge of genetics on these species 

 is very limited. Abalone and bay scallops are other molluscs which 

 have aquaculture potential. Breeding and culture techniques for 

 these species are being developed. 



Crustaceans 



Marine shrimp, freshwater prawns, and crawfish are currently of 

 greatest importance in crustacean aquaculture. They can be spawned 

 under hatchery conditions; however, there are few, if any, 

 commercial aquaculture operations which rear and maintain 

 genetically improved broodstock. Most broodstock consists of 

 captured wild animals. In the case of crawfish, reproduction 

 occurs naturally in ponds. Because of their relatively simple life 

 cycles, crawfish are more easily cultured than shrimp or prawns. 



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