RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN MARINE ORNAMENTAL AQUACULTURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA’S TROPICAL AQUACULTURE LABORATORY

Marine fishes represent a small fraction of the total volume of ornamental species sold in the aquarium trade today yet their high retail prices make them a significant contributor to the economic value of the industry. Unlike their freshwater counterparts, many marine ornamental species are still harvested exclusively from wild stocks and the sustainability of this practice has recently been called into question. Development of captive propagation protocols for marine fishes has the potential to facilitate the production of new commodities for the ornamental industry and allay sustainability concerns by bringing a farm raised product to market. Numerous technical impediments still hinder reliable spawning and larval production for many species and continued research is needed to grow this sector of the ornamental industry.

Rising Tide Conservation is an initiative focused on promoting coral reef conservation through the continued growth of the marine ornamental aquaculture industry. As a member of this initiative, the University of Florida's Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory has spent the last seven years researching and refining production protocols for numerous ornamental species of commercial value. Recent research has focused on closing the life cycle for the Pacific Blue Tang and several species of Halichoeres wrasses. This presentation will highlight recent advances in culture efforts with these species and examine future directions for the expansion this important research.