Abstract

A captive breeding program for three non-restricted Caribbean Strombus conch species: S. raninus, S. alatus, and S. costatus, as well as the commercially threatened S. gigas was established at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in June 2000. A total of 24 adult conch were collected from the Florida Keys: five S. costatus (3 fema1e, 2 male), seven S. raninus (5 females,2 males), eight S. alatus (4 females, 4 males) and four S. gigas (1 female, 3 males). They were placed in a circular tank (4.5 m dia) that was divided into four equal quadrants (4.1 m2). Egg masses from the breeding tank were measured for size, number of eggs, and egg capsule and strand diameter. In 40 weeks, 426 egg masses were collected. A total of 341 egg masses were collected from the five S. raninus females. The four S. alatus females laid 58 egg masses, the three S. costatus females laid a total of23 egg masses, and the single S. gigas female laid 4 egg masses in mid-February. The viability of several eggs from all four species was confirmed by successfully hatching and culturing the larvae to the juvenile stage. The breeding success of these species holds promise for the establishment of a commercial captive breeding program, and may provide altemative conch species for the food markets and the aquarium trade.

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