

A comprehensive review of current asexual and sexual propagation techniques is provided, together with qualitative aspects of corals, such as coral shape and coloration, and quantitative production parameters, such as growth and volumetric productivity. Here we provide an overview of coral aquaculture with particular emphasis on ex situ production methods. Nevertheless, research on coral biology has dramatically increased in the past decades and resulted in numerous scientific studies that are highly relevant to further advance coral aquaculture. In contrast, the scientific community has poorly explored coral production methods. Captive breeding and propagation of corals among aquarium hobbyists and public aquariums is a well-known and established activity. At last some recommendations for first aid measures at suspected traceĬoral reef degradation worldwide and the concomitant increasing demand for corals to supply the marine ornamental trade have been driving the growing interest for coral aquaculture. A summary of additionĮxperiences in public aquaria and institutions will be presented and discussed.īioavailability of trace elements as well as bioindication of trace element intoxication A recipe for the supplementation of essential trace elements calculatedįrom the most important sinks in reef aquaria will be given.

This paper will describe the biological and physiological functions of the different traceĮlements. With published data about the concentrationsĪnd distributions of trace elements in the ocean, additions can be calculated. This can be done viaįood, water changes or chemical addition. Within aquarium systems addition of trace elements is necessary. Zooxanthellae are in need of many trace elements. For corals, traceĮlements besides physiological roles also have an important role in the skeleton. They play important roles as parts of enzymes in metabolism andĮnrichment in organisms is achieved often under high expenditures. Trace elements in closed or semiclosed marine aquaria are a matter of permanentĪs the name states the concentrations of trace elements are extremely low and quantitativeĪnalyses are difficult.
