The California Academy of Sciences’ Steinhart Aquarium recently became the first aquarium in the U.S. to successfully breed Sepia bandensis, more commonly known as dwarf cuttlefish. Pioneered by Academy marine biologist and Reef Builders’ own Rich Ross, the breeding program has reared over 350 dwarf cuttlefish with most being distributed to other aquariums and research institutions. Despite the name, dwarf cuttlefish are not “fish” but members of the class Cephalopoda, which also includes octopus, squid, and the chambered nautilus.

“By establishing a stable breeding population,” Ross, who has been working with cuttlefish since 2002 and put this project in motion last spring, explains, “our hope is to make it easier for aquariums to showcase cuttlefish and their remarkable characteristics without impacting wild populations.” In a 120-gallon aquarium at the aquarium, anchored to an algae-covered a cluster of inky-colored eggs is beginning to swell and will soon become hatchlings. The parents of this batch consist of two males and four females. Eggs were collected with Ross hatching and raising them. Males and females are shuffled in as they became sexually mature to increase the chances of mating and spawning. Hundreds of tiny-hatchlings, exact replicas of their adult counterparts, get hand fed at least twice a day by Ross and his team. As with most new breeding programs, the feeding strategy is the key to survival and growth to adulthood and this was no different. Without other successful programs and literature to guide him, Ross was on his own. He soon discovered young cuttlefish require live meals beginning with mysis shrimp, increasing in size with age. Hunting with a pair of feeding tentacles, dwarf cuttlefish can devour prey the length of their own bodies.

“Consistent feeding is important. They have been getting live cragnon shrimp twice a day as adults, and live mysis as hatchlings,” said Ross. “Getting a group to successfully live together has also been important, and consists mostly of separating fighting males before they do damage to each other, and feeding them enough so they don’t start to eat each other.”

Typically cuttlefish range in size from 15 to 25 cm with the largest of the species reaching up to 50cm in length, the adult dwarf cuttlefish, native to the Indo-Pacific region, range from 5-10 cm requiring less resources to keep as its larger relatives. Being the first of its kind providing a sustainable captive source, the Academy hopes other zoos and aquariums will take advantage of the opportunity to share these intriguing animals with their visitors.

Known for their highly developed brains, nervous systems, and eyes, cephalopods’ advanced capabilities pose a host of unanswered questions about the nature of intelligence in invertebrates and vertebrates. Sepia bandensis frequently flash moving patterns across its skin, and can quickly blend into its surroundings and beneath that ever-changing exterior it’s physiology is equally remarkable, with three hearts and an esophagus that passes through its brain.

For those of you who have had the experience of breeding and raising marine fish in your systems, the cuttlefish differ in one big way. “The nice thing about these guys is that the hatchlings emerge as mini adults, there isn’t really any transformative stage,” said Ross. “The real pain is providing appropriately sized live food for the different stages of growth – it can be expensive and time consuming.”

Located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, the Academy and the Steinhart recently reopened in its new location in October 2008. The Steinhart first opened in 1923 and is home to an estimated 38,000 animals representing more than 900 separate species. So if you happen to be in the area, stop by and give Rich and his tank-bred cuttlefish a visit.

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Post from: Reef Builders

Steinhart Aquarium the first to successfully breed dwarf cuttlefish

Steinhart Aquarium the first to successfully breed dwarf cuttlefish

The fourth issue of ReefLife focus on my favorites, the Cephalopods. In the issue I discuss the striking Flamboyant cuttlefish (Metasepia Sp) and some of the pros and cons of even trying to think of keeping these amazing animals. I also discuss some recent work on the Lesser Pacific Striped Octopus (Octopus chierchiae) which, with a lot of work and a lot of luck, could become the perfect home octopus. But the issue isn’t just about me. Naturalist/photographer Mark Strickland explores the mating behavior of the Pharaoh cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) and also shares an amazing encounter he had with a muddy argonaut (Argonauta hians). James Wood and Roland Anderson take us on a look at the cephalopod eye. There is also a pictorial of some of the cephalopods the diver is likely to encounter in the tropical coastal waters of the western Pacific, as well as the cool waters of southern Australia. Cephalopods are not the only marine creatures examined in this issue; Kevin Kohen introduces the rare orangeface angelfish (Chaetodontoplus chrysocephalus), zoologist Tristan Lougher surveys the genus Ptereleotris (the dartfishes) and take a look at some of the more common brittle stars, Dr. Ron Shimek investigates the class Ascidiacea, while James Fatherree take us diving on the fringing reefs of San Salvador, Bahamas. Check it out in print or online.

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Post from: Reef Builders

Cephalopods are brought to focus in the newest issue of Reef Life Magazine

Cephalopods are brought to focus in the newest issue of Reef Life Magazine

Octopus
(Octopus sp.)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 3′
Color Form: Green, Tan, White
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Caribbean, Indo-Pacific
Family: Octopodidae
Reproduction: Egg Layer
Swim Level: Bottom

The body of the Octopus is covered with chromatophores that allow it to blend in with any background by changing color. These Octopi from the Caribbean are brown with white spots when they are in a neutral mood. Unlike most animals, the Octopus has a rectangular pupil. It usually comes out at night to feed on small invertebrates or sleeping fish. It uses its eight tentacles to bring the catch to its beak-like mouth. Of its total length, the arms will represent about 80%, with the body comprising the rest.

The Octopus will do best in an aquarium if provided with plenty of live rock and ample hiding places and a large area in which to move. It prefers an aquarium with caves and medium to coarse substrate with low lighting levels. The ideal lighting for this aquarium is dim actinic lighting.

The Octopus can be surprisingly strong, so in the home aquarium, it is best to anchor the rocks, or even glue them together to keep the Octopus from toppling the rocks into the glass or onto itself. Cover all tank openings very well or it will try to escape. The Octopus is sensitive to high levels of nitrates and copper-based medications. It can be very difficult to acclimate into a new environment.

Always approach the Octopus slowly to avoid causing it to release its ink cloud in defense. In the aquarium, this release of ink will necessitate a large water change to avoid its death.

It is an extremely difficult species to breed in an aquarium.

The Octopus can be fed shrimp and mussel meat. It will also eat live crayfish and feeder shrimp. Any live foods should be fed spirulina based dry foods, plankton, and krill to enhance their nutritional value.

Shop for Octopus at LiveAquaria.com