Effects of water depth and substrate color on the growth and body color of the red sea cucumber, <i>Apostichopus japonicus</i> -- Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,2015,33(3):616-623

	Cite this paper:
	JIANG Senhao, DONG Shuanglin, GAO Qinfeng, REN Yichao, WANG Fang. Effects of water depth and substrate color on the growth and body color of the red sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus[J]. Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, 2015, 33(3): 616-623

Effects of water depth and substrate color on the growth and body color of the red sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus

JIANG Senhao^1,2, DONG Shuanglin¹, GAO Qinfeng¹, REN Yichao^1,3, WANG Fang¹

1 Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China;
2 Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, Yancheng Normal University, Yancheng 224051, China;
3 Marine Science and Engineering College, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China

Abstract:

Three color variants of the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus are recognized, the red one is highly valued in the market. When the red variant is cultured in ponds in China, its body color changes from red to celadon in 3-6 months. The effects of water depth and substrate color on the growth and body color of this animal were investigated. Juveniles of red A. japonicus were cultured in cages suspended at a range of water depths (20, 50, 100, 150 and 200 cm). The specific growth rate of red sea cucumbers was significantly higher in animals cultured at deeper water layers compared with those grown at shallowers. Body weights were greatest for sea cucumbers cultured at a depth of 150 cm and their survival rates were highest at a depth of 200 cm. A scale to evaluate the color of red sea cucumbers (R value) was developed using a Pantone standard color card. All stocked animals in the 9-month trial retained a red color, however the red body color was much more intense in sea cucumbers cultured at shallower depths, while animals suspended in deeper layers became pale. In a separate trial, A. japonicus were cultured in suspended cages with seven different colored substrates. Substrate color had a significant effect on the growth and body-color of red A. japonicus. The yield were greatest for A. japonicus cultured on a yellow substrate, followed by green > white > orange > red > black and blue. All sea cucumbers in the 7-month trial retained a red color, although the red was most intense (highest R value) in animals cultured on a blue substrate and pale (lowest R value) for animals cultured on a green substrate.

Key words: Apostichopus japonicus|water depth|substrate color|growth|body color

Received: 2014-06-20 Revised: 2014-10-24

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Articles by JIANG Senhao

Articles by DONG Shuanglin

Articles by GAO Qinfeng

Articles by REN Yichao

Articles by WANG Fang

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