Long Term Rearing of Cuttlefish in a Small Scale Facility

Abstract

Cephalopods are arguably the most complex and fascinating aquatic invertebrate taxa. Except for a few well known exceptions, this group of organisms has been a challenge to study primarily due to difficulties in rearing and maintaining these animals in a small laboratory setting. Our knowledge about cephalopod rearing comes mainly from large marine centers, with much less known about small scale rearing facilities. This paper describes a bench top (ca. 450 litre) aquarium system that is relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, and suitable for long term rearing of cuttlefish in the laboratory. This closed aquarium system uses artificial sea water and a biological filter to remove/recycle nitrogenous wastes. The simple design of this system can be easily replicated by inland researchers interested in studying cuttlefish but who have been thwarted by the lack of suitable housing facilities.