Captive breeding of the sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra, from India

Abstract

This report deals with the hatchery and culture techniques of the sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra, from India. Larvae and juveniles were produced for the first time in 1988 at the Research Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute of Tuticorin on the south eastern coast of India. Large, healthy and uninjured specimens were selected as broodstock. They were stocked in one tonne tanks in the hatchery. Mud from the natural habitat was collected and put at the bottom of the tanks for the sea cucumbers to bury. The seawater in the tank was changed daily and the bottom mud was changed every fortnight. Sea cucumbers were subjected to thermal stimulation during March-May, the major breeding peak, and also during November-December, the minor breeding peak.