Coral AquacultureKatie Webster

Phylum Cnidaria

Colonial growth

Foundation species

Introduction

Polyp Anatomy

Commercial

Conservation

Research

Why culture corals?

Sold as ornamental organisms for aquariums

Prices vary based upon coral species, color pattern, and colony size◦ More colorful is more expensive

Corals are cultured and sold around the world◦ US is main purchaser

High shipping costs

Economics

Zooxanthellae symbiosis

Calcium carbonate skeleton

Reef builders

Stony Corals (Scleractinia)

Flexible

Lacy appearance

Proteinaceous skeletons

Soft Corals (Octocorallia)

Stony corals – Order Scleractinia◦ Family Acroporidae -SPS

Montipora spp.◦ Family Dendrophylliidae - LPS

Turbinaria peltata Dendrophyllia fistula

Soft corals – Order Alcyonacea◦ Family Alcyoniidae

Sarcophyton spp. Sinularia spp.

Aquaculture Genera

Montipora spp.

Purple Montipora capricornis

Supernatural Montipora capricornis

Family Acroporidae

Turbinaria peltata

Green Pagoda Coral

Dendrophyllia fistula

Red Sun Coral

Family Dendrophylliidae

Sarcophyton spp.

Green Toadstool Leather

Long Polyping Leather

Family Alcyoniidae

Sinularia spp.

Blue Devils Finger Leather

Yellow Fiji Finger Leather

Family Alcyoniidae

Life Cycle

Asexual Sexual

Budding◦ Colonial growth

Fragmentation◦ Colony physically broken

into separate sections

Spawning◦ Free swimming larvae

◦ Adult sessile polyps

◦ Hermaphroditic and non-hermaphroditic types

Asexual Reproduction

Sexual Reproduction

Asexual growth “fragging”

Development from zygotes◦ “spat stocking”

Reproduction in captivity

Indoor tanks – Intensive◦ RAS filtration system◦ Zooxanthellae very sensitive

Floating nurseries – Extensive to Semi-intensive◦ Shallow water◦ Reef building

Production Methods

Tropical waters◦ Bright light

◦ Temperature: 78°F to 84°F

◦ Salinity : 1.026 s.g.

◦ Calcium: 390 to 450 ppm

◦ pH: 7.9 to 8.3

◦ Alkalinity: 140 to 180 ppm

Environmental Requirements

Indoor culture

Outdoor culturing

Zooxanthellae provide energy

Dissolved organic matter

Plankton and small organisms

Feeds and Feeding

Fast growing

Minimum feeding

Easy to aquaculture

Conservation efforts

Advantages

Harmful to humans

Expensive

Predation and disease

Disadvantages

Thank you!