Spawning and early development of Loligo vulgaris Lamarck, 1798, under experimental conditions

Abstract

         Because of characteristics of European squid Loligo vulgaris and in connection with its high market price, there is big effort to introduce this species in aquaculture. In the past there were experimental trials for rearing different stages of the European squid, but results of those trials could not satisfy commercial culturing.
         Three live females of L. vulgaris were jigged from the shore in May 2002 in front of the Institute of Oceanography and Fishery in Split, Croatia (N Mediterranean Sea). After short time spent in captivity, squids spawned spontaneously leaving their strands on the pipe for the renewal of the seawater that was immersed in the pool. On 21 day after spawning, first hatchlings were observed.
         The paralarvae were fed by small fish pellet and brine shrimp Artemia salina in open circuit aquariums and glass pots, but died after eight days.
         For wider production and economically worthwhile rearing, more sophisticated studies have to be made, with highlighting the problem of nutritional requirements and balanced diet of early development stages.