Larval Food Research
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| One of the factors limiting commercial aquaculture production of new marine finfish aquaculture species is the general lack of knowledge regarding the nutritional requirements for many of these species. The transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding - that is, when larvae switch from living on their own internal yolk reserves to feeding on live organisms they must capture - marks a critical period in the life history of marine fish larvae and is often associated with high mortality rates. High mortality can also occur as larvae transition to a new live food organism or to a formulated microparticulate diet.
Our larval food research focuses primarily on the development and application of live food technologies to obtain maximum survival and growth from hatchery-reared individuals. The Larval Food Research facility at Mote Aquaculture Park occupies more than 3,000 square feet of laboratory space, including controlled environment culture rooms with systems designed for small-scale and pilot-commercial scale culture of the rotifer Brachionus spp., brine shrimp Artemia, copepods and algae. All units are operated as closed recirculation systems complete with filtration designed to provide a constant reusable supply of artificial seawater. System specifications include:
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Mote Marine Laboratory has been a leader in marine research since it was founded in 1955. Today, we incorporate public outreach as a key part of our mission. Mote is an independent nonprofit organization and has seven centers for marine research, the public Mote Aquarium and an Education Division specializing in public programs for all ages.
