Spawning induction of three tropical sea cucumbers, Holothuria scabra, H. fuscogilva and Actinopyga mauritiana

Abstract

The current study examines induced spawning in three commercially important tropical sea cucumbers: sandfish (Holothuria scabra), white teatfish (H. fuscogilva) and surf redfish (A. mauritiana). This research forms part of a project to assess the potential for releasing cultured juveniles to restore depleted stocks (Battaglene and Bell, 1999; Battaglene, 1999). The study concentrates on H. scabra because it appears to have the most potential for aquaculture and stock enhancement (James, 1996; Battaglene and Bell, 1999; Battaglene et al., 1999).