Captive breeding and rearing of the yellow seahorse, Hippocampus kuda (Bleeker, 1852) in support of the marine ornamental fish industry and conservation
Abstract
H. kuda attained a maximum size of 138 mm (Ht) (mean 124.04�11.3 mm) and maximum weight of 7621 mg (mean 6904�1115.35 mg) during the culture period of six months. Overall, a survival rate of 76.28% was recorded during a culture period of six months. Development of brood pouch was first observed in 120 DAB (days after birth) old male seahorses (105 mm, Ht), while dropping of egg clutch in female seahorses was recorded on 139 DAB (109 mm, Ht). Inter-mating duration of seahorses in the F1 generation varied between 16 and 43 days and the number of young ones released ranged from 32 to 169. Gestation period varied between 12 and 15 days at a rearing water temperature of 28 �C. Within 4 months of captive rearing, H. kuda attained a size of 100 mm (Ht) which is the minimum size limit recommended for sustainable seahorse trade.
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