Abstract

The effect of broodstock age on the spawning performance of cultured abalone, Haliotis discus hannai, was assessed for five age groups (3, 4, 5, 6, 7 years old). Spawning performance of the five age groups was assessed in terms of the percentage of spawning abalone, eggs per spawning female, fertilization rates, hatch rates and attachment rates per spawning. The percentage of spawning abalone increased along with broodstock age, reached maximum in female groups of 5- and 6-year age (60%), and in male group of 6-year age (100%), subsequently decreased in 7-year age group. The number of eggs produced per spawning also increased with broodstock age, and the maximum was found in 6-year age. Although the number of spawned eggs for the oldest abalone declined, it still spawned much more eggs than 3, 4, and 5 years old females. The fertilization and hatch rates were obviously larger for 4-6 years old group than the younger and older abalones. The maxima were found in 5-year age group (96.0% and 84.5%), and the minimum were appeared in 7-year age group (79.3% and 58.2%). The attachment rate increased with broodstock age, reached maximum in 6-year age group (33.6%), although the increment gradually declined. The attachment rate for 7-year age group rapidly decreased (16.6%). These results suggested that broodstock age affected the spawning performance of H. discus hannai, which peaked between 5 and 6 years old, and broodstock should be bred during this period for hatchery production.