Effects of various stocking densities on hatching and survival rates of sea cucumber Holothuria tubulosa eggs (Gmelin, 1788)

WOS: 000456094500003In this study, it was aimed to determine the opening and survival rates of Holothuria tubulosa eggs at four different stocking densities (15,1530 eggs / ml) and to determine the effect of stocking density on egg size and larval size in different stages. Fertilized Holothuria tubulosa eggs were stocked in cylindrical conical collectors with a capacity of 30 I. Eggs were counted under light microscope at fertilization, early gastrulation, late gastrulation and hatching stages. It was found that there is an inverse relationship between stock intensity and opening rate (r= -0.848; p 0.05) and the length of early auricularia larva at 65 h (p>0.05). As a result the optimal stocking density for the highest hatching and survival rates of the fertilized eggs of Holothuria tubulosa was determined as 1-5 eggs / ml.Ege University Science and Technology Centre (EBILTEM)Ege University; Camli Yem Besicilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. [2012/BIL/030]; Ege University Faculty of Fisheries (Izmir, Turkey); EBILTEMEge University; Camli Yem Besicilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. (Izmir, Turkey)This research is funded by Ege University Science and Technology Centre (EBILTEM) and Camli Yem Besicilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. Project Number: 2012/BIL/030. The authors would like to thank Ege University Faculty of Fisheries (Izmir, Turkey), EBILTEM and Camli Yem Besicilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. (Izmir, Turkey) for funding and research facilities