Coral farming: effects of light, water motion and artificial foods

Abstract

Improved coral cultivation will facilitate the reduction of wild harvesting, reef restoration, preservation of biodiversity, and the use of corals as model experimental organisms. In this study, we examine species-specific responses in growth and survival of corals from the effects of light, water motion and artificial (i.e. non-living aquarium trade) food supplements. Three species representing distinct, diverse and abundant coral genera were chosen (Montipora capitata(Mc), Porites compressa (Pc) and Pocillopora damicornis (Pd)) for three experiments to examine: (1) the interaction of water flow and light on growth and survival of Mc and Pc; (2) the effects of artificial foods on Mc, Pc and Pd; and (3) the effects of increasing dosage of artificial foods in an open system on Mc and Pc. Pc thrived at the highest light levels with low flow, while Mc exhibited bleaching and reduced growth in the same conditions and grew best in shaded treatments. High constant flow (~11 cm s-1) resulted in slightly less overall growth than low constant flow (~4 cm s-1). Some artificial foods resulted in a significant increase in growth in Mc and Pd, but not in Pc. These combined results suggest that Mc may be more heterotrophic than Pc. This study illustrates that each species has unique requirements for optimal growth conditions that can be determined by relatively simple and low cost experiments, but that ideal conditions for one species might not be generalized to others.

Coral aquaculture: applying scientific knowledge to ex situ production

“…However, feeding frequency may alter this balance, particularly if the nutrient load in the surrounding water decreases water quality and interferes with the natural inorganic nutrient concentrations. Forsman et al (2011), for example, observed a significantly slower growth of M. capitata and P. damicornis, when feeding doses increased too much and deteriorated water quality.…”

Nutrition in ornamental aquaculture: the raise of anthropocentrism in aquaculture?

“…Practically, in modern aquaria, the efficiency of specific feeds use is often reduced by the presence of several species of fish and invertebrates kept at the same time (Velasco‐Santamaría & Corredor‐Santamaría ; Forsman et al . ). Ornamental fish feed companies try to by‐pass this obstacle by producing feeds with different buoyancy that can be virtually consumed in water surface (flakes), in the middle water layers (soft granulate, food sticks) and on the bottom (tablet and chips).…”

“…It seems that this sector is dominated by aquafeed companies information more than by scientific information (Forsman et al . ). Reproduction also occurs in aquaria and fry nutritional needs are different from adults.…”

“…The presence of these filter feeding invertebrates needs liquid feeds resembling to feeds used in marine fish larval feeding. Artificial coral feeds may contain rotifers, zooplankton, oyster eggs, spirulina, phytoplankton encapsulated and dissolved fatty acids, carbohydrates and proteins, but their optimal dosage for artificial feeding must be clarified and sometimes commercial coral feeds have no effect on coral growth (Forsman et al 2012). Ornamental sea anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) can be fed with prawn meat once a week (Scott et al 2014).…”

“…Invertebrate feeding, such as corals, is highly improved if live food can be used (Toh et al 2014). It seems that this sector is dominated by aquafeed companies information more than by scientific information (Forsman et al 2012). Reproduction also occurs in aquaria and fry nutritional needs are different from adults.…”