Hatchery technology
The development of mariculture as an industry is constrained by the shortage of fingerlings.  Better hatchery techniques would ensure a consistent supply of good quality fingerlings and reduce the pressure on wild stocks.  The larvae of most marine fishes are immature when they hatch.  The transition from endogenous feeding to exogenous feeding in the larvae is a "critical period" during which mass mortalities occur.  Despite significant research into larval development in marine fishes, it is not clear whether the main problem is anatomical, physiological, or behavioural.  There is an urgent need for further research on larval biology with the aim of developing artificial diets for fish larvae in order to make Mariculture a more commercially successful venture.  Our research focuses on two major projects.  The projects build on the existing programme of the Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) of NUS in this area, and are collaborative projects with DBS.
Larval feed development

The objective is a detailed understanding of the digestive physiology of marine fish larvae from fish feeding through larval development.  The work concentrates on the endocrine factors involved in the maturation of digestive function.  We explore the feasibility of using exogenous hormones to accelerate the maturation of digestive function so that the larvae can digest prepared diets at first feeding.  The second part of our study focuses on developing suitable artificial diets for marine fish larvae and on evaluating suitable nutrient and hormonal supplements to the feeds.

Hatchery techniques for marine ornamental fishes and species of medicinal value

Many coral reef fishes are exploited for marine aquarium industry all over the world resulting in the destruction of reefs.  Seahorses are globally exploited for their use in traditional medicine and as aquarium pets.  The dried seahorse trade in rapidly growing and the natural populations of seahorses are being over-exploited, especially in Southeast Asian region, approaching the danger of extinction because of the greater demand for dried seahorses for the use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in these regions.  There is an urgent need for conservation of these species and reef reseeding is a promising new concept.  Commercial culture of these species will also reduce the pressure on natural populations.

Research is required on all aspects of the biology of seahorses and other ornamental fishes of coral reef areas.  Our objective is to develop brood stock management and hatchery techniques for seahorses and other commercially important coral reef fishes.