Atlantic bumpers, one of the marine finfish species being raised from larvae as part of the collaboration.
Photo: NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
A network of public aquariums and research institutions in the USA have developed breeding and rearing methods for more than 20 marine fish species, as part of a project examining how aquarium expertise could support more sustainable fish production.
The multi-year initiative, "Catalyzing Marine Finfish Aquaculture Through Public Aquariums", is funded by NOAA Sea Grant and brings together researchers, aquarists and aquarium institutions across the country.
According to the project partners, the work has resulted in thousands of captive-bred fish being supplied to institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. According to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the project aims to give aquariums more alternatives to collecting fish from the wild, although the organisers said responsibly managed wild collection could remain part of aquarium sourcing.
Researchers are also producing open-source cultivation guides for the species involved to allow other aquariums and researchers to reproduce the methods developed during the project.
“By developing successful breeding and rearing protocols for new species, these aquariums serve as research and development hubs, reducing dependence on wild-caught animals and creating methods that commercial producers may be able to adapt for additional species,” said Dr Andrew Rhyne of Roger Williams University’s Center for Economic and Environmental Development.
The project has worked neon gobies, Atlantic lookdowns, golden sweepers and Atlantic bumpers, as well as a variety of other marine species, some of which had not previously been successfully raised in aquariums.
The partners point out that many species of marine finfish larvae can be difficult to cultivate because they hatch at an early stage of development and often require live feeds that are almost invisible to the human eye. Differences in egg size, feeding behaviour and larval development also mean that techniques often need to be adapted for each species.
To address this, the participating institutions have used Modular Larval Rearing Systems (MoLaRS) to carry out trials. Developed by Rhyne, the small and customisable systems are designed to let aquariums test breeding methods where space and infrastructure are limited.
The initiative is following what its organisers describe as a "distributed production mode" where, rather than concentrating hatchery work at one facility, the participating aquariums develop expertise and production capacity at sites across the country.
Some US public aquariums are learning to raise marine fish from egg to adulthood.
“Working with a wide variety of species may help in the future when we may need to conserve populations through direct intervention,” said Dr Michael Tlusty of the University of Massachusetts Boston.
The organisers said some of the methods could eventually have applications for commercial ornamental fish producers. However, the techniques developed for aquarium collections would require further testing before their wider commercial potential could be established.
“Working with seven aquariums across the country, the project team successfully developed hatchery production protocols for several marine finfish species. Not only does this work support public aquariums, it also offers potential applications to enhance the commercial production of ornamental finfish,” said NOAA Sea Grant aquaculture manager Chuck Weirich.
Barbara Bailey, vice-president of animal care at the New England Aquarium, said sharing technical knowledge between institutions was central to the project.
“Advancing aquaculture techniques is about more than raising fish, it’s about building a community,” she said. “By sharing knowledge, expertise, and experience across public aquariums, we can strengthen sustainable collections, expand our collective impact, and accelerate innovation.”
The collaboration has also launched an interactive online StoryMap titled Breeding and Raising Fish for Aquariums, including video, maps and photographs showing how participating institutions breed fish and raise larvae.
The project is led by the University of Massachusetts Boston, Roger Williams University and the New England Aquarium. Partners include the Aquarium of the Pacific, Shedd Aquarium, the National Aquarium, the three North Carolina Aquariums at Pine Knoll Shores, Fort Fisher and Roanoke Island, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant.