The culture and maintenance of the loliginid squids Sepioteuthis sepioidea and Doryteuthis plei

A technique for rearing the loliginid squids Sepioteuthis sepioidea and Doryteuthis plei is reported. Specimens of the former were reared from eggs to sexually mature adults, and maintained for a maximum of 146 days; adult D. plei were maintained for 38 days. Choice and quantity of food was most important for the survival of all sizes, particularly young squid. Newly hatched specimens thrived on Mysidium columbiae. Both species fed at a rate of 30 to 60% of their body weight daily; starvation occurred when intake fell below 10 to 15%. Food conversion efficiency averaged between 10 to 20%. Growth was rapid and steady. S. sepioidea grew to a maximum of 105 mm and 77 g in less than 5 months; D. plei grew an estimated 20 mm/month. Experimental data indicate a lethal minimum salinity for both species at about 27. Lethal minimum and maximum temperatures for young S. sepioidea are 17.5° to 18.0°C, and 32.5° to 33.0°C, respectively. Young consume 0.64l O₂/mg wet weight/h. Opaque tanks, with a semi-natural bottom substrate and special ultra-violet (UV) illumination, are advantageous for rearing and maintenance.Contribution No. 1305 from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, USA. This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation Grant GB-5729 X. This paper constitutes part of a doctoral dissertation on squid rearing, maintenance and behavior. Aspects of the behavioral studies will be published elsewhere.