General information about sea anemones and cultivation of Actinia equina

The costs of aquarium live organisms and feed are the most important expenses after the system setup in marine aquarium industry. The sea anemones are economically valuable species among the aquarium organisms. The data which will be obtained about the growth and reproduction of these organisms can enable the production of high quality, economic and sufficient amounts of these organisms. Rather than the importation of the sea anemones, the cultivation of the sea anemone species of Turkey seas should be carried out. Therefore an important contribution to the economy will be done. In this study, the investigation of the growth and reproduction of sea anemones was aimed by cultivation of them in the aquarium conditions. The sea anemones (Actinia equina) that were collected from Sinop Akliman coasts were put into the aquariums sized 100x50x40 cm and filled with sea water taken from the same area. Wave engine, the protein skimmer, digital thermometer, digital cooler and lighting were used as aquarium equipments. The water temperature was kept between 19 ̊C - 20 ̊C. For each aquarium, 18 pieces sea anemones were placed randomly on petri dish. The anemones were adapted aquarium conditions after one month. The feeding behavior of the sea anemones were monitored by feeding them with earthworms, fish meat and Artemia spp. and trout feed. The feeding and reproduction behaviors of the sea anemones were determined by enabling the adaptation in the aquarium environment. At the end of the study, Actinia equina sea anemones were successfully spawned. Keywords: Sea anemones, Culture, Aquarium, Feeding, Reproduction, Actinia equina