Laboratory Rearing of the Pharaoh’s Cuttlefish, Sepia Pharaonis (Erhenberg, 1831) through Multiple Generations in a ‘Semi-Closed’ Water System

The pharaoh’s cuttlefish, Sepia pharaonis were cultured in a ‘semi-closed’ water system through multiple generations. Eggs of S. pharaonis landed in overnight crab nets, gill nets and shrimp nets were collected and brought to the laboratory, incubated and the hatchlings were maintained throughout their life cycle. The hatchlings from the eggs collected from the wild were called G1 generation. Subsequent generations were named as G2 and G3 generations. Incubation period for the eggs were 21±3 days, 21±2 days and 21±1 days, respectively for G1, G2 and G3 generations. The hatchling behaviour, as well as feeding and reproductive behaviours were recorded. Brine shrimp and post larvae of Acetes indicus were given during the initial days of culture, but switched to dead fish after 40 days. Daily growth rate was noted to be 0.72 mm in G1, 0.52 mm in G2 and 0.2 mm in G3 generations, respectively. Using simple and inexpensive filtration system Sepia pharaonis can be reared to marketable sizes in fishermen’s backyards and serve as an additional source of income. This technique could also be employed in sea-ranching projects of S. pharaonis.