Growth, repetitive breeding, and aquaculture potential of the spiny lobster, Panulirus ornatus

Abstract

A pair of subadult Panulirus ornatus was reared in the laboratory from July 2001. The female grew from 0.6 to 1.3 kg and the male from 0.5 to 1.6 kg in 2 years before the first mating in July 2003. In 6 months, from July to December 2003, the pair mated and spawned 3 times, producing 1.6 million eggs and 1.1 million phyllosoma larvae. Mating occurred 25 and 63 days after moulting. The female spawned 2–3 days after mating and the incubation time ranged from 23 to 27 days. The phyllosoma larvae were released over 2 successive days. The growth rate reduced after first mating in both the male and female and the female expended 42% of the total weight gain for egg production.

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