Induced spawning and larval rearing of sea urchin Echinometra mathaei (de Blainville, 1825)

Abstract

Induced spawning of the sea urchin Echinometra mathaei was accomplished by injecting 0.5 M KCl. The larval developmental stages were studied in the laboratory for 22 days by which time the larvae reached competency. The survival of larvae was 79.0 + 2.08% when fed with microalgae Isochrysis galbana in combination with Chaetoceros calcitrans. The survival was 77.0 + 1.73% when fed with I. galbana diet. Comparatively low survival rate of 60.0 + 2.52% and 40.0 + 2.0% were observed while feeding with C. calcitrans and Nannochloropsis sp. respectively at the competent stage