Enhancing the growth and color of two Acropora coral species by blue light and heterotrophic feeding

• Main Authors: Zong-Min Ye, 葉宗旻
• Other Authors: Tung-Yung Fan
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2019
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/943cuw

碩士 === 國立東華大學 === 海洋生物研究所 === 107 === Cultivating coral under blue light is known to enhance coral calcification and increase pigmentation, but also inhibits the photosynthetic efficiency of Symbiodinium. To address this tradeoff, heterotrophic feeding has been proposed as a way to provide sufficient nutrients to corals grown under blue light. Corals, Acropora millepora and Acropora tenuis were cultured with a blue light (450 nm) and white light treatment (7000K) in an ex-situ environment for 12 weeks to assess the effects of light on coral physiology and color. The tank system was supplied with artificial seawater, had a photosynthetic photon flux density of 200 μmol photons m-2 s-1, and heterotrophic feeding with enriched Artemia salina was provided twice a week. Across treatments both coral species had a survival rate of 100% and their maximal photochemical yield was normal. The results of buoyant weight and 3D scanning modeling measurements showed that the increase percentage of weight, volume, base circumference, and height were significantly higher in the blue light treatment. The red, green, blue values and brightness score of the nubbin side tissue were significantly greater in the blue light treatment, but the saturation percentage was significantly lower in the blue light treatment. Therefore, under heterotrophic feeding conditions, blue light can effectively increase the growth rate and color of cultured aquarium corals, thereby enhancing the capacity for artificially culturing industrial corals.