POTENTIAL SOURCE OF MARINE FISH FOR EXHIBITS AND CONSERVATION – IDENTIFICATION OF EGGS AND LARVAE AT THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM

The global ornamental fish trade is valued at an estimated $348M per year. The marine aquarium trade is highly dependent on wild sources of reef fishes. Marine fish populations and reef ecosystems are threatened by overexploitation and harmful collection techniques. Aquariums can provide an alternative source of ornamental fishes through rearing of eggs and larvae from volitional spawning. Pelagic eggs and early-stage larvae in the Coral Reef exhibit at the Texas State Aquarium, Corpus Christi, TX were photographed, measured, and morphologically analyzed. Bicolor damselfish ( Stegastes partitus ) larvae from the Coral Reef exhibit were identified by characteristic pigmentation and DNA barcoding. Early-stage identification of eggs and larvae in mixed species tanks will provide a foundation for determining and implementing specialized larval culture techniques of target species. Further research will strengthen the capacity of the Texas State Aquarium and other public aquariums in supporting and providing outreach for sustainable aquaculture and fisheries.