Growth of captive Jasus edwardsii (Hutton) (Crustacea:Palinuridae) in north-eastern New Zealand

Abstract

The relations between growth and mortality rates and water temperature are important in determining the economic success of spiny lobster aquaculture. Captive juvenile lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) were grown at a site in north-eastern New Zealand where ambient sea-water temperatures in the culture tanks ranged from 23.3°C in summer to 13.4°C in winter, with an annual mean of 17.2°C (s.d. = 2.8). The growth and mortality rates of three size classes of juvenile lobsters were examined over one year in captivity. All lobsters were fed cultured mussels. Lobsters in the smallest size class grew to an average of 39 mm carapace length (31 g) in their first year from settlement. Growth to 200 g was estimated to take three years. Total mortality of lobsters was 12.8% and was greatest in the 0+ size class, for which most mortality occurred in a single tank. Of the total mortality, 64% occurred during two summer months (January and February). The growth and mortality of J. edwardsii are compared with previously unpublished information.