Eric J. Cassiano – EDIS Update

Overview of Commonly Cultured Marine Ornamental Fish

A close-up photo of a rainbow-colored fish, predominantly green but with orange, red, teal, and yellow stripes and blotches. It's about 2.5 inches long and lying on one side in a man's palm.

The production of freshwater ornamental fish dominates the ornamental aquaculture industry, yet the small marine ornamentals sector has grown substantially in recent years. This 7-page fact sheet written by Elizabeth M. Groover, Matthew A. DiMaggio, and Eric J. Cassiano and published by the UF/IFAS Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation briefly reviews the more common groups of marine ornamental fishes cultured in the United States. As we learn more about marine ornamentals and as aquaculture protocols for marine ornamentals develop and improve, it is possible that more species may become economically feasible to produce and more cultured marine fish may begin to supplement wild-caught stocks in the marine aquarium trade.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa224

Using Airlifts to Collect and Concentrate Copepod Nauplii

Airlifts are simple and inexpensive and not new to aquaculture. The buoyancy of rising bubbles within a pipe or tube generates an upward flow of water that are often used as part of water treatment design in recirculating aquaculture systems, but can also be used to collect and concentrate live food organisms fed to marine fish larvae. Airlifts are more gentle and efficient than sieving. This 3-page fact sheet provides protocols and designs for harvesting and feeding copepod nauplii to marine fish larvae, but these methods can be adapted for use with many live feed organisms. Written by Eric Cassiano, Matthew DiMaggio, Cortney Ohs, and John Marcellus, and published by the UF Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, May 2015. (Photo credit: Jason S. Broach)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa188

Candidate Species for Marine Ornamental Aquaculture: Porkfish, Anisotremis virginicus

The porkfish is a member of the grunt family, which create a characteristic “grunting” sound by rubbing their pharyngeal teeth together during periods of agitation or courtship. Many species of grunts are popular in public aquariums because they’re abundantly available, and their schooling behavior and bright colors create interest in aquarium exhibits. Porkfish also have additional appeal to aquarists because they are “cleaner” fish during their juvenile phase, picking parasites from larger fish and other vertebrates. Scientists and aquarists have recently achieved a greater understanding of appropriate aquaculture protocols for grunts in general and porkfish in particular. These characteristics and advancements have led to porkfish being identified as a candidate species for commercial aquaculture. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Eric Cassiano and Kevin Barden, and published by the UF Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, October 2014. (Photo by George H. Burgess, Florida Museum of Natural History)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa187

Candidate Species for Marine Ornamental Aquaculture: French Grunt, Haemulon flavolineatum

Grunts (family Haemulidae) are some of the most economically and ecologically important fishes found throughout the world. Their common name refers to the characteristic grunting sound they make when they are agitated and during courtship. Many species of grunts are popular in public and private aquariums due to their schooling behavior and bright colors that create interest in aquarium exhibits. The French grunt has recently been identified as a candidate species for aquaculture due to its popularity in aquarium displays and the development of culture protocols. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Kevin P. Barden, Matthew L. Wittenrich, and Eric J. Cassiano, and published by the UF Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, March 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa186

FA167 Choosing an Appropriate Live Feed for Larviculture of Marine Fish

FA167, a 7-page illustrated fact sheet by Cortney L. Ohs, Eric J. Cassiano, Adelaide Rhodes, discusses the pros and cons of using rotifers, brine shrimp, and copepods as live food for marine fish larvae. Includes references. Published by the UF Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, December 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa167

FA160 Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: Pigfish, Orthropristis chrysoptera

FA160, a six-page illustrated fact sheet by Eric J. Cassiano, Cortney L. Ohs, and Jeff E. Hill, describes this member of the grunt family that is rated as a top species for baitfish aquaculture — general description, geographic distribution and habitat, natural history, and culture techniques. Includes references. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, December 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa160