Crustacean Aquaculture I: Lobsters

Question 1

What lobster species dominates the lobster market market?

Answer 1

Homarus americanus

Question 2

What rock lobster dominates the rock lobster market?

Answer 2

Panulirus argus

Question 3

Why is the NZ native rock lobster (**J. edwardsii) unsuitable for aquaculture?

Answer 3

Long larval stage (450 days) adds to Nutrition Bacterial disease

Question 4

What is crucial when lobster larval rearing systems are designed?

Answer 4

Many designs

–favour a pulse design

–even distribution of predator/prey

Improvements to water quality

–use of ozone/UV

Suppression of Microbial Proliferation

Question 5

How can probiotics benefit lobster aquaculture?

Answer 5

“Good bacteria” can benefit larval health
Sources:
•Wild-caught lobster larvae
•Natural prey items (zooplankton)
•Samples from aquaculture facility
Screening:
•Antibacterial activity
•Competition and adhesion
•Best candidates tested in vivo

Question 6

What are the three key factors for successful lobster aquaculture?

Answer 6

• System Design
• Health
• Larval Nutrition/Natural prey

Question 7

How are vast amounts of artemia produced to feed lobster larvae?

Answer 7

Micro encapsulation

Question 8

What is the pigment called that gives lobsters its color?

Answer 8

Astaxanthin