Growth, behavior, and mating of pharaoh cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis Ehrenberg) in captivity

Abstract

The pharaoh cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) was successfully reared from egg to an average size of 168 mm mantle length and 521 g in 210 days, using simple biological filtration systems. The period of egg incubation was 15 days at a temperature of 27-31°C. Hatchlings were reared at a stocking density of one animal per liter during the first month; density was reduced as growth proceeded. Food items consisted of live mysids, Artemia salina, juvenile fishes, and prawns. Juveniles were gradually acquainted with dead food items such as caridian prawns and small fishes. The present study shows that the pharaoh cuttlefish can be reared in captivity with a survival rate of 41%, using live feeds during the first 50 days. Future commercial scale culture of this species depends on development of artificial feeds and high density culture systems.