Early larval development of spiny lobster, Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758) reared in the laboratory

Abstract

Phyllosoma larvae of the spiny lobster, Panulirus homarus were hatched and reared in the laboratory on a diet of Artemia salina nauplii. The larvae were rcared in individual as well as in mass culture systems. The temperature of the rearing water ranged from 26 to 29°C and salinity from 34 to 35‰. The larvae reared individually moulted nine times and reached the sixth stage in sixty days. Mean total length of the newly hatched larva was 1.48 mm and stage VI larva measured an average of 4.87 mm. The early stages ofphyllosoma larva of P. homarus are morphologically similar to those of other tropical species. Larvae infested with sedentary ectoparasites were effectively treated with 10 ppm malachite green. Change in feeding habits resulted in mortality of the larvae in the sixth stage.