A star is born again: Methods for larval rearing of an emerging model organism, the False clownfish <i>Amphiprion ocellaris</i>
Natacha Roux, Valentin Logeux, Nancy Trouillard, Rémi Pillot, Kévin Magré, Pauline Salis, David Lecchini, Laurence Besseau, Vincent Laudet, Pascal Romans
Abstract
As interest increases in ecological, evolutionary, and developmental biology (Eco-Evo-Devo), wild species are increasingly used as experimental models. However, we are still lacking a suitable model for marine fish species, as well as coral reef fishes that can be reared at laboratory scales. Extensive knowledge of the life cycle of anemonefishes, and the peculiarities of their biology, make them relevant marine fish models for developmental biology, ecology, and evolutionary sciences. Here, we present standard methods to maintain breeding pairs of the anemonefish Amphiprion ocellaris in captivity, obtain regular good quality spawning, and protocols to ensure larval survival throughout rearing. We provide a detailed description of the anemonefish husbandry system and life prey culturing protocols. Finally, a "low-volume" rearing protocol useful for the pharmacological treatment of larvae is presented. Such methods are important as strict requirements for large volumes in rearing tanks often inhibit continuous treatments with expensive or rare compounds.