World Aquaculture Singapore 2022

November 29 - December 2, 2022

Singapore

AN INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECTS OF BACKGROUND COLOURS ON THE REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF SEAHORSE Hippocampus reidi BROODSTOCK AND THE EFFECTS OF NUTRIENTS ON JUVENILES

Sng, X.E.C.* and Tan, C.K.V.

Diploma in Veterinary Technology, School of Applied Science, Temasek

Polytechnic, Singapore 529757

1701592F@tp.edu.sg

 



Hippocampus Reidi is a threatened seahorse species due to numerous reasons such as habitat degradation and destruction due to coastal development. Therefore, there is a need for conservation and breeding efforts to increase the population. Environment and nutrition have always played a part in reproduction success of aquatic animals and the quality of juveniles. Thus, the aim of the study was to determine the effects of background colors on the color of the Hippocampus Reidi broodstock, reproductive success, and the effects of nutrients on the growth and survival rates of Reidi juveniles. The broodstocks were placed in either blue colored background tanks or coral background tanks for color change observation and breeding activities. The juveniles were subjected to either fatty acid enriched artemia diet or vitamin enriched artemia diet for 13 days. The results showed that the seahorses placed in blue colored tanks were much brighter as compared to the seahorses placed in coral colored tanks, having no changes to the color at all. However, coral tank seahorse pairs showed higher reproduction success, with higher fecundity and frequency of birth. Fatty acid enriched diet showed faster growth and higher survival rates in contrast to vitamin enriched diet. It can be concluded that the background/environment does affect reproduction of Hippocampus Reidi, where they are more inclined to breed in their natural environment. Since fatty acid provide better development and survival rates, it is a more essential nutrient on the overall wellbeing of the Reidi juveniles. Since this research only focuses on 2 background type, there might be other backgrounds that provide higher potential in increasing reproductive success and how different percentage of fatty acid may further affect the development of Reidi juveniles. Future studies should offer greater insights into these factors and aspects to promote breeding of Hippocampus Reidi for conservation purpose.