Predators and habitat association of post-settlement snapper (Chrysophrys auratus).

Structured habitats play an important nursery role during the crucial early juvenile or post-settlement stages of many fish species. Predominantly, the utility of structured habitats to juvenile fish is thought to be associated with the provisioning of food or as a refuge from predation. Although snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) in New Zealand also have a strong affinity for structured habitats during their post-settlement phase, their predators are unknown as is the role of predation in determining habitat association.

Early development of New Zealand hapuku Polyprion oxygeneios eggs and larvae.

This study describes for the first time the normal development of New Zealand hapuku Polyprion oxygeneios embryos and larvae reared from fertilization to 11 days post-hatch (dph) at a constant temperature. Fertilized eggs were obtained from natural spawnings from communally reared captive wild broodstock. Eggs averaged 2 mm in diameter and had single or multiple oil globules.

DNA identification of ciliates associated with disease outbreaks in a New Zealand marine fish hatchery.

Ciliates associated with fish mortalities in a New Zealand hatchery were identified by DNA sequencing of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rRNA). Tissue samples were taken from lesions and gill tissues on freshly dead juvenile groper, brain tissue from adult kingfish, and from ciliate cultures and rotifers derived from fish mortality events between January 2007 and March 2009. Different mortality events were characterized by either of 2 ciliate species, Uronema marinum and Miamiensis avidus.