REARING OF SABLEFISH (ANOPLOPOMA FIMBRIA) FROM EGG TU JUVENILE

W. Craig Clarke, J.O.T. Jensen, J. Klimek, Z. Pakula-1999

Bulletin of the Aquaculture Association of Canada, 99-4: 11-12

Summary:

The sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria occurs in the North Pacific Ocean and is valued for its tender, rich flesh. Commercial aquaculture of this species has been constrained by a lack of technology to produce juveniles for grow out. Juvenile sablefish were produced from eggs for the first time in 1998. Fertilized eggs were incubated in upwelling incubators at 6°C and larvae were held in the incubators during the yolk sac phase. In preparation for feeding, larvae were transferred to 2-m³ tanks greened with Isochrysis galbana (T-Iso strain). Enriched rotifers were offered at first and enriched Artemia later. The highest mortality was experienced during the first month after the time of first feeding. After notochord flexion, mortality decreased and the growth rate increased. Sablefish are readily weaned onto formulated diets and grow rapidly, reaching a weight of 700 g within their first year.

(Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 5K6, e-mail: clarkec@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca)


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