Breeding Dwarf Cuttlefish at the Steinhart Aquarium

Discussion in 'Breeding Tropical Fish' started by Matt Rogers, Jan 5, 2010.

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  1. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    Richard Ross is an inspiration to this hobbyist. First he becomes good at breeding dwarf cuttlefish out of his California home - no easy task if you have read about some of the efforts to do so by fellow 3reefers... then he begins volunteering at the Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco, gets hired full-time and is now helping run the first dwarf cuttlefish breeding program at a United States Aquarium. Bravo Richard! That is quite a hat-trick.

    [​IMG]
    Dwarf Cuttlefish (sepia bandensis) and eggs

    Richard states that young dwarf cuttlefish need to be fed 4 times a day or they start to eat each other. Cutting his chops as a stay-at-home dad, Richard now has over 80 young cuttlefish and eggs creating a steady pipeline at the aquarium to keep them on display as their lifespan is about one year.

    The Steinhart Aquarium has six cuttlefish and a cluster of eggs (see pic above) on display right now and, being local to 3reef headquarters, you may expect a little follow up to this story down the road.

    Hats off to Richard!
    A dedicated hobbyist, now part of the dwarf cuttlefish breeding program at the Steinhart Aquarium.

    ---

    The Steinhart Aquarium is located in the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco:
    California Academy of Sciences

    Source and more info:
    http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14113214?nclick_check=1
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2010
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  3. swagger87

    swagger87 Zoanthid

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    How awesome! That'd be a sight to see, 80+ baby cuttlefish.
     
  4. szrazzt

    szrazzt Purple Spiny Lobster

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    That is soo cool. I've considered a number of times breaking down my reef or at the very least setting it up as a cuttle fish species tank.
     
  5. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

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    Rich is a very nice guy and will help you patiently with any type of Cephalopod question. Congrats Rich!!!
     
  6. grubbsj

    grubbsj Gigas Clam

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    Hats off Richard...and to Matt for bringing this achievement to our attention. Well done Rich!!
     
  7. Gexx

    Gexx Giant Squid

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    wow that is amazing. its these storys that make me want to be a marine biologist more and more everyday!
     
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  9. Gresham

    Gresham Great Blue Whale

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    He's a member here.... or at least I though Rich signed up. his online name is Thales.

    Gexx he's a philosopher by schooling :)
     
  10. Gresham

    Gresham Great Blue Whale

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    Fixed it for you :)

    I lean on Rich routinely, as he does with me :)
     
  11. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

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    That's rad. I went to the Georgia Aquarium last week. They had a neat cuttlefish display there. My daughter didn't know what to make of them but I found them fascinating to watch.
     
  12. Gexx

    Gexx Giant Squid

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    philosopher? wow my cousins studing that right now. i still want ot be a marine biologist though :p