Breeding and rearing the longsnout seahorse Hippocampus reidi: Rearing and feeding studies

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of the harpacticoid copepod Tisbe spp as prey in Hippocampus reidi culture together with the effect of natural (14 L/10D) or prolonged (24 L/0D) photoperiod. After release, the juveniles were divided into four experimental groups as follows: group A (control group) fed rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) followed by Artemia nauplii subjected to 14 L/10D photoperiod; group B fed a mixed diet of rotifers and Tisbe spp nauplii followed by a combination of Artemia nauplii and Tisbe spp copepodites/copepods subjected to 14 L/10D photoperiod; group C fed rotifers (B. plicatilis) followed by Artemia nauplii subjected to 24 L/0D photoperiod and group D fed a mixed diet of rotifers and Tisbe spp nauplii followed by a combination of Artemia nauplii and Tisbe spp copepodites/copepods subjected to constant light. We observed higher survival and better growth performance in juveniles fed a combined diet and subjected to an extended photoperiod respect to those fed a standard diet or exposed to natural photoperiod. In conclusion, we found that the harpacticoid copepod Tisbe spp may be considered a valuable live prey for H. reidi culture when used as a supplement to the traditional diet based on rotifers and Artemia nauplii and that photoperiod may play an important role in the successful culture of this species.