Hippocampus culture method for improving survival rate by assisting illumination

Abstract

The invention provides a hippocampus culture method for improving the survival rate by assisting illumination, which comprises the following steps: S1, setting an illumination system, and setting differential illumination conditions according to the growth stage of hippocampus; in the newborn larva stage, a yellow light source is transversely fixed to the position 10-15 cm below the water surface, the light intensity is 800-1000 lx, and the time ratio of illumination to darkness is (14-16): (8-10); in the bait conversion stage, a yellow-blue gradient light source is vertically fixed to the position 20-60 cm below the water, the light intensity ranges from 300 lx to 500 lx, and the time ratio of illumination to darkness is (14-16): (8-10); in the parent cultivation stage, a white light source is arranged 45-55 cm above the water surface, the light intensity is 800-1200 lx, and the time ratio of illumination to darkness is (12-16): (8-12); according to the method, through precise intervention of illumination on behaviors, metabolism and reproduction of the hippocampus, the survival rate is increased, the bait domestication efficiency is improved, parent gonad development is promoted, an illumination-behavior-nutrition coordinated regulation mechanism is established, and the stability and the culture benefits of hippocampus culture are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of aquaculture, and in particular to a seahorse breeding method that utilizes auxiliary lighting to improve survival rate. Background Art

[0002] Seahorses, small ornamental and medicinal fish, have become a key species in recent years due to their unique economic and scientific value. In my country, the main species currently farmed include the puffy-bellied seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis), the lined seahorse (H. erectus), and the large seahorse (H. kuda). Annual production reaches millions, but this still falls short of meeting growing market demand.

[0003] However, the efficiency of artificial seahorse breeding remains low, the survival rate is unstable, and large-scale breeding still faces many technical bottlenecks. In actual production, breeding seahorses often suffer high mortality rates at different stages due to management and technical limitations, especially in the following three key breeding stages:

[0004] The first is the newborn larvae stage: This stage refers to seahorse larvae within one week of birth. It is the period with the lowest survival rate in aquaculture, and the mortality rate is often as high as over 90%. The causes of death are complex and diverse, including but not limited to not eating, difficulty eating, floating on the water surface, bubble disease, bacterial infection, etc. Although studies have attempted to optimize the survival rate by improving water dynamics, breeding containers, bait types and inflation methods, the overall effect is limited. It is worth noting that newborn larvae mainly feed visually, and light conditions have a significant impact on their feeding behavior. However, in existing research and breeding practices, there is relatively little systematic exploration and utilization of light factors, and there are obvious gaps;

[0005] The second is the feed conversion stage: also known as the habit conversion period, which occurs when the seahorse is about 30-45 days old and the body length is between 3.5-4.5 cm. It is the stage when the seahorse transitions from surface planktonic life to middle and lower layer life. In this process, the seahorse's food objects also change from zooplankton to small crustaceans in the middle and lower layers. This dual change in physiological behavior and feeding habits makes the seahorse prone to poor feeding, stress, decreased immunity, and even group death. In addition, in artificial breeding, it is often necessary to change its bait from live animals to processed bait such as frozen mysid shrimp. This acclimation process can also easily cause adaptation disorders and malnutrition in the seahorse. Existing technology research on this stage is mostly focused on bait type and nutritional ratio. There is still a lack of systematic exploration of how to use environmental factors to assist its behavior regulation, especially in the induction of light levels and behavioral intervention. Research is still blank;

[0006] The third is the parenting stage: sexually mature seahorses are generally 4 to 6 months old and have the ability to reproduce frequently. In order to maintain the continuous production of high-quality offspring, the health status and gonadal development level of the parents are crucial. Although a certain amount of experience has been accumulated in parental breeding techniques, it is mostly limited to traditional means such as nutritional management and water quality control. Studies have shown that the duration and intensity of light can promote the development of fish gonads and have a potential regulatory effect on the reproductive cycle and pairing efficiency of parents. However, at present, there is no unified understanding of the role of light, a key environmental factor, in the breeding process of seahorse parents, and there is also a lack of systematic parameterized research, which leads to problems such as instability or lag in the development of parental gonads, thereby affecting the overall breeding efficiency.

[0007] In summary, existing seahorse breeding technology generally has problems such as reliance on experience, extensive control methods, and lack of systematic parameter optimization at critical stages. It is urgent to conduct in-depth exploration of the interaction between the biological behavioral characteristics of seahorses and environmental factors to improve the stability and output efficiency of breeding. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a seahorse breeding method with auxiliary lighting to improve the survival rate, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art of low survival rate in key breeding stages, difficulty in bait acclimation and unstable parental breeding efficiency.

[0009] In order to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the present invention provides a seahorse breeding method with auxiliary lighting to improve the survival rate, comprising the following steps: S1: Lighting system settings: According to the needs of the seahorse breeding stage, set the light source in the breeding pool: Light source for newborn larvae: Fix the light source horizontally 10-15 cm below the water surface, configure yellow light, light intensity 800-1000 lx, and the ratio of light time to dark time in the photoperiod is (14-16): (8-10); Light source during the bait conversion phase: Fix the light source vertically 20-60 cm below the water surface, configure a gradient light source with yellow light at the top and blue light at the bottom, light intensity 300-500 lx, and the ratio of light time to dark time in the photoperiod is (14-16): (8-10); Light source during parent cultivation: Fix the light source 45-55 cm above the water surface, configure white light, light intensity 800-1200 lx, and the ratio of light time to dark time in the photoperiod is (12-16): (8-12); S2: Phased breeding: Under the lighting system set in step S1, the newborn seahorses are cultured in sequence through the newborn stage, the feed conversion stage and the parent cultivation stage to complete the seahorse culture.

[0010] Compared with the existing technology (related technology), the present invention provides a seahorse breeding method for improving survival rate by auxiliary lighting, which has the following advantages: the present invention scientifically sets the corresponding light source position, light color (light quality), light intensity and photoperiod parameters according to the physiological and behavioral characteristics and living habits of the three core growth stages of the seahorse, so that the light is upgraded from the original environmental factor to the dominant factor directly involved in regulating the behavior and metabolism of the seahorse, significantly improving the survival rate and growth efficiency of each stage, and further achieving stage-by-stage synergistic optimization through highly matching the lighting design with the breeding stage. The method of the present invention sets the lighting conditions with staged differences (including horizontal setting of yellow light in the neonatal period, vertical lighting with yellow-blue gradient in the acclimation period, and extended white light top lighting in the parent period). While ensuring the light adaptability of the seahorse, it accurately guides the seahorse and its bait to gather in the same water area, effectively improving feeding efficiency, reducing bait waste, and reducing breeding stress. It is a typical application of the "light-behavior-nutrition" synergistic mechanism; Furthermore, in each step of the present invention, for the newborn larvae stage, the juveniles' feeding responsiveness is improved by horizontal irradiation with yellow light, and the high mortality problem caused by weak swimming ability and poor feeding is alleviated; for the bait conversion stage, the upper and lower light colors are gradually changed to effectively induce the seahorses to move to the middle and lower layers, smoothly complete the transition from live bait to ice-fresh bait, and shorten the acclimation period; for the parent breeding stage, white light and long photoperiod stimulation are used to promote the accelerated development of gonads, significantly improve reproductive performance and the output of high-quality larvae; and the present invention uses light color to guide behavior, light intensity to stimulate feeding, and photoperiod to regulate metabolic rhythms, these three elements The combined setting forms a comprehensive regulatory system for optimizing ecological factors, which has higher breeding efficiency and biosafety compared with a single regulatory method. It adopts commercially available LED light sources and control systems, which are easy to install and intuitive to operate. It can adapt to seahorse factory breeding systems of different sizes and has good economic feasibility and industrial promotion value. In general, the present invention solves the technical bottlenecks of high mortality in the neonatal period, difficulty in domestication, and weak reproduction in the existing seahorse breeding through the systematic method of "stage identification-light regulation-behavior guidance-efficiency improvement", significantly improves the overall breeding results, and has obvious practical and creative advantages.

[0011] In a possible embodiment, in step S1, the light color of the newborn larvae is yellow light, the ratio of light time to dark time in the photoperiod is 14:10, and the light intensity is 800 lx.

[0012] Compared with existing technologies, the above-mentioned technical solution can effectively stimulate the feeding behavior of newborn seahorse larvae and enhance their visual recognition ability of bait. Newborn seahorses rely on vision for feeding, and their eyes are not yet fully developed. Illuminating with 800 lx of yellow light can provide appropriate visual contrast, making floating bait such as rotifers more conspicuous in the water, thereby improving feeding accuracy and frequency. The dual photoperiod of 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness helps to simulate the natural light rhythm, activate the larvae's diurnal feeding rhythm, extend their active time without causing visual fatigue, and further increase their total nutrient intake. Through the synergistic mechanism of visual enhancement and metabolic rhythm regulation, it achieves a dual promotion of feeding efficiency and growth rate of newborn seahorse larvae, ultimately significantly reducing mortality in the larval stage and improving survival rate and initial growth quality.

[0013] In a possible embodiment, in step S1, the light color in the bait conversion stage is a two-color light of yellow light and blue light, the ratio of light time to dark time in the light cycle is 14:10, and the light intensity is 500 lx.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the above-mentioned technical solution can alleviate the stress of seahorses transitioning from a surface planktonic lifestyle to mid- and lower-layer activities, facilitating their acceptance and adaptation to frozen bait. During the bait transition period, seahorses undergo significant changes in their habitat and feeding habits. A moderate light intensity of 500 lx effectively balances their adaptability to light and their induction, preventing visual stress while maintaining their visual hunting ability. Furthermore, a vertical gradient of yellow and blue light creates a light guidance gradient from the surface to the lower layers, mimicking their natural habitat and guiding them to actively move to the lower layers and seek new food sources, thus facilitating a smooth transition from live to frozen bait. This technical solution, utilizing a combination of "light-induced migration + bait adaptation training," shortens the training cycle, improves the training success rate, and reduces the risk of stress and mortality caused by starvation or food intolerance.

[0015] In a possible embodiment, in step S1, the light color in the parent cultivation stage is white light, the ratio of light time to dark time in the cycle is 14:10, and the light intensity is 1000 lx.

[0016] Compared with the existing technology, the above technical solution can effectively promote the development process of the gonads of seahorse parents and improve their reproductive capacity and reproduction quality. The white light intensity of 1000 lx is close to the natural daylight intensity, which can effectively stimulate the activity of the hippocampal hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis and promote hormone secretion, thereby accelerating gonadal maturation. Furthermore, the light cycle is set to 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness, which is in line with the physiological law that long light promotes gonad development. It can significantly improve the reproductive readiness and estrus synchronization of male and female parents, shorten the reproductive cycle, and with the combined effect of light intensity and light cycle, achieve synergistic stimulation of gonad development and physical energy accumulation, improve the health level of parents, the number of offspring and the survival rate of offspring. In one possible embodiment, in step S2, the seahorses in the newborn larval stage are newborn seahorse fry produced within 1 week, the seahorses in the feed conversion stage are seahorse larvae 30 to 45 days old and 3.5-4.5 cm in length, and the seahorses in the parent rearing stage are 1-year-old, sexually mature, healthy male and female seahorse individuals.

[0017] Compared with the existing technology, the above technical solution can clearly divide the key time windows and behavioral characteristic corresponding points of the seahorse growth and development stages, accurately match the lighting and feeding control parameters, thereby improving the pertinence and effectiveness of the control. By implementing a specific yellow light induction strategy within 1 week of age, the feeding rhythm can be quickly established at the most vulnerable stage; and the demarcation of 30-45 days of age corresponds exactly to the period when the seahorse ecological behavior transitions from the surface to the middle and lower layers, which is the key time point for feed conversion; the definition of sexually mature 1-year-old parents ensures that subsequent photoperiod stimulation can exert the maximum physiological response. The present invention establishes an environment-behavior-nutrition coordinated control model centered on developmental nodes through precise stage division and parameter linkage of the cultured objects, ultimately improving the survival rate, domestication efficiency and breeding success rate throughout the entire culture cycle.

[0018] In a possible embodiment, during the newborn larvae stage, the seahorses are fed a mixture of rotifers and newly hatched Artemia, and the feeding frequency is twice a day.

[0019] Compared with the existing technology, the above-mentioned technical solution can ensure that the feeding objects of newborn seahorse seedlings have the appropriate body size and activity, and improve the feeding hit rate and feeding frequency. Rotifers are small in size and move slowly, which is convenient for the mouthparts of newborn seahorses to capture, while newly hatched Artemia have a higher nutritional density. The combination of the two can meet the dual needs of feeding convenience and nutritional supply at the same time. Feeding twice a day can keep the bait concentration in the water relatively stable and avoid the deterioration of water quality due to excessive bait. This technical solution combines the light-induced aggregation effect to concentrate the bait in the light zone, improve feeding efficiency and reduce the starvation mortality rate in the newborn period, thereby significantly improving the survival rate of the larval stage.

[0020] In a possible embodiment, during the bait conversion stage, the seahorses are fed with live mysis shrimp in the early stage, and then gradually replaced with frozen fresh mysis shrimp in the later stage, and the feeding frequency is once a day.

[0021] Compared with existing technologies, the above-mentioned technical solution can guide seahorses to gradually adapt to static bait through gradual bait replacement, avoiding food refusal and stress reactions caused by sudden changes in bait. Live mysis shrimp have natural mobility, which can stimulate their predatory instincts; frozen bait is easier to store and feed, but lacks motion induction, which can easily lead to a decrease in palatability. This technical solution can compensate for the lack of feeding attraction of frozen bait through the "live first, then frozen" transition, combined with auxiliary light aggregation behavior induction. Combined with the responsiveness of seahorses to visual targets under light induction, it accelerates the bait acclimation process, reduces the conversion failure rate, and ultimately achieves complete adaptation to frozen bait, improving the sustainability and economic efficiency of artificial breeding.

[0022] In a possible embodiment, during the parent rearing stage, the seahorses are fed with live mysis shrimp once a day.

[0023] Compared with the existing technology, the adoption of the above technical solution can ensure the activeness of the parent's feeding behavior and provide a supply of high-quality protein and fatty acids, which is conducive to maintaining the reproductive system in good condition. The natural activity of live mysis shrimp enhances the seahorse's appetite, and it is rich in beneficial lipids such as DHA and EPA, which have an important promoting effect on gonadal development. Regular feeding once a day can reduce the metabolic burden, avoid overnutrition or water quality deterioration, and combined with the long-period white light illumination provided by the present invention, it can synergistically promote gonadal development, increase the frequency of reproduction and the survival quality of offspring, shorten the breeding cycle, and improve the overall breeding efficiency. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] First, those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely used to explain the technical principles of the embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art may adjust them as needed to suit specific application scenarios.

[0025] The present invention provides a seahorse breeding method using auxiliary lighting to improve survival rate, comprising the following steps: S1: Lighting system settings: According to the needs of the seahorse breeding stage, set the light source in the breeding pool: Light source for newborn larvae: Fix the light source horizontally 10-15 cm below the water surface, configure yellow light, light intensity 800-1000 lx, and the ratio of light time to dark time in the photoperiod is (14-16): (8-10); Light source during the bait conversion phase: Fix the light source vertically 20-60 cm below the water surface, configure a gradient light source with yellow light at the top and blue light at the bottom, and light intensity of 300-500 lx. During the photoperiod, the ratio of light time to dark time is (14-16): (8-10); Light source during parent cultivation: Fix the light source 45-55 cm above the water surface, configure white light, light intensity 800-1200 lx, and the ratio of light time to dark time in the photoperiod is (12-16): (8-12); S2: Phased breeding: Under the lighting system set in step S1, the newborn seahorses are cultured in sequence through the newborn stage, the feed conversion stage and the parent cultivation stage to complete the seahorse culture.

[0026] As a preferred solution, in step S1, the light color of the newborn larvae stage is yellow light, the ratio of light time to dark time in the light cycle is 14:10, and the light intensity is 800 lx.

[0027] As a preferred solution, in step S1, the light color in the bait conversion stage is a two-color light of yellow light and blue light, the ratio of light time to dark time in the light cycle is 14:10, and the light intensity is 500 lx.

[0028] As a preferred solution, in step S1, the light color during the parent cultivation stage is white light, the ratio of light time to dark time in the photoperiod is 14:10, and the light intensity is 1000 lx.

[0029] As a preferred solution, in step S2, the seahorses in the newborn larval stage are newborn seahorse fry produced within 1 week, the seahorses in the feed conversion stage are seahorse larvae 30 to 45 days old and 3.5-4.5 cm in length, and the seahorses in the parent rearing stage are 1-year-old, sexually mature, healthy male and female seahorse individuals.

[0030] As a preferred solution, in the newborn larvae stage, the seahorses are fed with a mixture of rotifers and newly hatched Artemia, and the feeding frequency is twice a day.

[0031] As a preferred solution, during the bait conversion stage, the seahorses are fed with live mysis shrimp in the early stage, and then gradually replaced with frozen fresh mysis shrimp in the later stage, and the feeding frequency is once a day.

[0032] As a preferred solution, during the parent cultivation stage, the seahorses are fed with live mysis shrimp once a day.

[0033] The present invention is aimed at seahorse farming and designs three important processes, including the newborn larvae farming stage, the feed conversion and acclimation stage, and the parent cultivation stage. Targeted lighting devices and parameters are further set, involving position, light color (light quality), light intensity, and light cycle. The farming auxiliary lighting device used in the present invention is a commercially purchased waterproof energy-saving light strip and control device, which can adjust the light color and light intensity. The newborn seahorse larvae are newborn seahorse seedlings that have just been born within one week. The seahorse feed conversion stage, also known as the feed conversion and acclimation stage, targets seahorse larvae around 40 days old with a total length of 3.5-4.5 cm. The living habits of the seahorse larvae at this stage are converted from surface plankton to activities in the middle and lower layers of the water body, and the food is also converted from feeding on zooplankton to mainly feeding on small living crustaceans in the middle and lower layers. During the artificial breeding process, due to the lack of live bait, frozen feed is often fed, such as frozen mysid shrimp, frozen adult artemia, etc. Therefore, artificial domestication and adaptation are required at this stage to allow seahorses to eat frozen feed; the seahorse parents, as the seahorse parents that reproduce offspring, are generally one-year-old male and female individuals. The purpose of parent cultivation is to ensure that the parents are healthy and have good gonad development, while also allowing the parents to produce a large number of high-quality offspring. In artificial breeding, parent cultivation is very important, and the cultivation conditions are the key.

[0034] The auxiliary lighting device provided by the present invention for seahorse cultivation effectively ensures that seahorses enter the illuminated area and obtain high-quality bait during their growth and development, ensuring the nutritional supply necessary for their growth and development. The auxiliary lighting, selected through experiments, not only attracts seahorses to the illuminated area but also lures the bait they need into the same area, ensuring efficient food access for the seahorses. This reduces mortality and promotes growth.

[0035] The following provides specific embodiments in combination with the above technical solutions to further expand the technical solutions of the present invention: In the following content of the present invention, multiple sets of experimental data are provided, and the auxiliary lighting device and breeding method of the present invention are expanded through different data + verification: Example: Lighting system settings: Suitable auxiliary lighting selection for newborn larvae cultivation: The specific protocol was as follows: 1,350 healthy, black, and well-motile newborn seahorses (0 days old) were randomly placed into 45 white cylindrical plastic buckets (Φ50×H80) filled with 60 cm of seawater at 26±1°C and a salinity of 23±1 ppt. Three treatments were set, each containing two light colors (yellow and white) and one natural light source. After selecting the optimal light color, four light intensities (600, 800, 1000, and 1200 Lx) and three photoperiods (L:D = 12:12, 14:10, and 16:8) were then tested. A total of 15 treatments were run, each with three replicates, for a total of two weeks. Body length was measured for each treatment, and specific growth rate (SGR) and survival rate (SR) were calculated based on changes in body length. Growth and survival data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software and one-way ANOVA. Duncan's test was used to compare significant differences between groups, with a P level of < 0.05 considered significant. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The formula used for data calculation is as follows:

[0036] Specific growth rate (SGR, % / d) = 100 × [(lnLt- lnL0) / t ]; Survival rate (SR, %) = number of tails at the end of the experiment / number of tails at the beginning of the experiment × 100; Where, Lt is the body length at the end of the experiment, L0 is the body length at the beginning of the experiment, and t is the breeding time.

[0037] The experimental results are shown in Tables 1 to 3: Table 1 shows the effects of two light colors on the growth and survival of newborn seahorse larvae. Newborn seahorses swim near the surface after birth, where they live. Three light colors (yellow, white, and natural) are used. This experiment compared the effects of three light colors (focusing on yellow and white) on the growth of newborn seahorses. The results are shown in Table 1. Different letters in each column indicate significant differences between treatments (P < 0.05). Table 2 shows the effects of different light intensities on the growth and survival of newborn seahorses under yellow light, and the effects of different light intensity levels on the growth and survival of newborn seahorses. Different letters in each column indicate significant differences between treatments (P < 0.05). Table 3 shows the effects of different photoperiods under yellow light on the growth and survival of newborn seahorses, and the effects of different light-dark cycles on the growth and survival of newborn seahorses. Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences between treatments (P < 0.05).

[0038] Table 1 Effects of different light colors on the growth and survival rate of newborn hippocampi (n=30)

[0039] As can be seen from Table 1, there are significant differences in the growth performance of newborn seahorse larvae treated with different light colors (P < 0.05). Among them, the yellow light treatment group was significantly better than the white light group in terms of final body length, growth rate and specific growth rate, and slightly better than the natural light group. The survival rate was stable at a high level, indicating that yellow light can effectively improve the growth rate and feeding responsiveness of newborn larvae. This result shows that the use of yellow light irradiation in the neonatal period is more conducive to promoting the early growth and development of seahorse larvae, and is the preferred auxiliary light color.

[0040] Table 2 Effects of different yellow light intensity levels on the growth and survival rate of newborn hippocampi (n=30)

[0041] Table 2 shows that different light intensities significantly affected the growth and survival of newly born seahorse larvae (P < 0.05). The 800 Lx light intensity treatment achieved the best results in terms of final body length, growth rate, and SGR. This suggests that this light intensity provides sufficient visual stimulation without causing light stress, thus stimulating feeding behavior and growth metabolism. In contrast, 600 Lx is too weak and insufficiently stimulating, while 1200 Lx may cause stress to the larvae due to excessive light pressure. Therefore, 800 Lx is the optimal light intensity for newly born larvae under yellow light.

[0042] Table 3 Effects of different yellow light photoperiod levels on the growth and survival rate of newborn hippocampi (n=30)

[0043] The results in Table 3 show that photoperiod changes significantly affected the growth of seahorse larvae (P < 0.05). Among the three photoperiod treatments, the 14L:10D group achieved the highest final length, growth rate, and specific growth rate, and maintained excellent survival, outperforming the 12L:12D and 16L:8D treatments. These results suggest that moderately extending the photoperiod can prolong the active feeding period of larvae, increase daily nutrient intake, and thus promote growth and development. However, excessively extending the photoperiod may induce photoacclimation fatigue. Therefore, the 14L:10D photoperiod setting is the most appropriate for this stage.

[0044] It can be seen from the above results that the auxiliary light strategy provided in this embodiment can effectively improve the growth performance of newborn seahorse larvae, and increase their growth rate and survival rate.

[0045] S2: Selection of appropriate auxiliary lighting during the seahorse feeding phase The transition phase of a seahorse's diet also coincides with a shift in its lifestyle, transitioning from primarily surface-dwelling to mid- and lower-dwelling activities. This process involves a shift in all aspects of the body, including the eyes and swim bladder. Seahorses are visual fish, and their light sources shift from primarily yellow light in the surface water to primarily blue light in the lower waters. Therefore, during the acclimation process, we employ a gradual shift in color light sources, from yellow light in the upper waters to blue light in the lower waters. During this process, the bait also gradually transitions from living plankton to fresh or frozen.

[0046] The specific implementation plan is as follows: The experiment involved a white cylindrical plastic bucket (Φ50 x H80) filled with seawater to a depth of 70-75 cm. A vertical light strip was set 20-60 cm below the water surface. The light strip was controlled by a controller to change color from yellow on top to blue on the bottom. The light intensity remained constant during the color change.

[0047] Six hundred and thirty healthy, well-mobile seahorse juveniles, measuring 3.5 to 4.5 cm in length, were assigned equally to seven treatments, including four light intensity treatments (100, 300, 500, and 700 Lx) and three photoperiods (L:D = 12:12, 14:10, and 16:8), with three replicates per treatment. Seawater temperature was 26 ± 1°C, and salinity was 23 ± 1 ppt. The experiment lasted two weeks, with no entanglements in the tanks. During the first week of the experiment, the proportion of floating food was gradually reduced, while the proportion of frozen food was gradually increased. By the second week, frozen food was the only food fed. This transition did not affect the growth and survival of the seahorses. Therefore, the body length of the seahorse juveniles in each treatment was measured to reflect the progress and outcome of acclimation. Growth indices such as the specific growth rate (SGR) and the survival rate (SR) were calculated based on changes in body length to evaluate the experimental results. Growth and survival data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software and subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Duncan's test was used to compare significant differences between groups, with a P level of < 0.05 considered significant. Data are expressed as mean ± SD.

[0048] The formula used to calculate the data is as follows: Specific growth rate (SGR, % / d) = 100 × [(lnLt- lnL0) / t ]; Survival rate (SR, %) = number of tails at the end of the experiment / number of tails at the beginning of the experiment × 100; Where, Lt is the body length at the end of the experiment, L0 is the body length at the beginning of the experiment, and t is the breeding time.

[0049] The experimental results are shown in Tables 4 and 5: Table 4 Effects of different light intensity levels on the growth and survival rate of hippocampi during the habit transition period (n=30)

[0050] Table 4 shows the effects of different light intensities on seahorse diet switching and the effects of different light intensity levels on the growth and survival rate of seahorses during the habit transition phase. Different letters in each column indicate significant differences between treatments (P < 0.05). The results show that the 100 Lx light intensity group showed poorer growth parameters, including body length increase and survival rate, suggesting that during the food transition, seahorses were unable to properly ingest the new diet, which affected their growth and survival. The growth rate of seahorses in the 700 Lx light intensity group was also significantly different from that in the 300 and 500 Lx light intensity groups (P < 0.05). This may be because under high light intensity, seahorse larvae are still at the surface of the water, and their physiological processes have not yet fully transformed, hindering their growth. They only begin to adapt later, resulting in slower growth. Therefore, higher light intensity conditions require a longer acclimatization time.

[0051] Table 5 Effects of different light intensity levels on the growth and survival rate of hippocampi during the habit transition period (n=30)

[0052] Table 5 shows the effects of different photoperiods on seahorse feed conversion and the effects of different light-dark cycle changes on the growth and survival rate of seahorses during the habit transition phase. Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences between treatments (P < 0.05). The results show that there were no significant differences in the survival rate of seahorses under the three photoperiods; however, there were significant differences in growth rate, with the 14L:10D and 16L:8D groups showing the fastest body length growth (P < 0.05). This indicates that under these two light intensities, the seahorses have higher feed conversion efficiency and better adaptability.

[0053] From the above results, it can be seen that the auxiliary light strategy provided by the present invention can effectively ensure the growth performance of seahorse larvae during the habit conversion period, indicating that the conversion process from live bait to chilled bait is relatively smooth and has no impact, so the seahorse larvae maintain their normal growth rate and survival rate.

[0054] Selection of suitable auxiliary lighting during parent cultivation stage Cultivation of seahorse parents is an important stage in artificial breeding of seahorses. Factors such as appropriate lighting and high-quality nutrition can promote the accelerated development of fish gonads. This embodiment screens for appropriate lighting strategies to promote or accelerate gonadal development in seahorse parents.

[0055] The specific implementation plan is as follows: The experiment used a white cylindrical plastic bucket (Φ50 x H80) filled with seawater to a height of 70-75 cm. A white light was set 50 cm above the water surface to screen for the appropriate light intensity and photoperiod.

[0056] Three hundred and twenty healthy, well-motivated, slightly plump adult seahorses, 12-14 cm in length, were selected. Half male and half female seahorses were evenly distributed across eight treatments, including five light intensity levels (600, 800, 1000, 1200, and 1400 Lx) and three photoperiods (L:D = 12:12, 14:10, and 16:8). Each treatment consisted of four replicates (two males and two females, with two replicates each). Seawater temperature was 22 ± 1°C, and salinity was 23 ± 1 ppt. The experiment lasted four weeks. Green copper wire was used as a wrapping material in the tanks. Frozen mysid shrimp were fed twice daily. Residual feed was aspirated within one hour after feeding. Feces were aspirated before lights were turned off at night, and 20% of the seawater was replaced. Body length, weight, and survival rate were measured weekly. Growth indices such as growth rate (WGR / LGR), specific growth rate (SGR), survival rate (SR), and fatness index (IF) were calculated based on parameter changes and used to evaluate experimental results. Changes in body color (i.e., nuptial coloration), including the appearance of grayish-white on the abdomen and neck, were used to indicate mating, indicating gonadal maturation. Starting from the second week, the number of seahorses entering the mating phase (tail) was counted weekly. All experimental data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software and subjected to two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Duncan's test was used to compare significant differences between groups, with P < 0.05 considered significant. Data are expressed as mean ± SD.

[0057] The formula used to calculate the data is as follows: Body length or weight growth rate (LGR / WGR, %) = 100×(Lt-L0) / t or 100×(Wt-W0) / t; Specific growth rate (SGR, % / d) = 100 × [(lnWt- lnW0) / t ]; Fatness / condition factor IF=100 ×W / L3; Survival rate (SR, %) = number of tails at the end of the experiment / number of tails at the beginning of the experiment × 100; Where W is body weight (g), L is body length (cm); Wt is body weight at the end of the experiment, W0 is body weight at the beginning of the experiment, and t is breeding time (days).

[0058] The experimental results are shown in Tables 6 to 8: Tables 6-8 show the effects of different light intensities and photoperiods on seahorse parent culture, as well as the results of experiments on the combined effects of these two factors on gonadal development in male and female seahorse parents. Different lowercase letters within each column for both sexes indicate significant differences between treatments (P < 0.05), and different uppercase letters within each row indicate significant differences between different sexes (P < 0.05).

[0059] Table 6 Effects of different photoperiod levels on parental hippocampi (n=30)

[0060] Table 6 shows that different photoperiods exhibited varying effects on gonadal development in parental seahorses. Overall, all three experimental photoperiods promoted gonadal development in parental seahorses, but responses differed significantly between males and females. Male seahorses exhibited similar gonadal development under different photoperiods, with no significant differences (P > 0.05). However, female seahorses showed significant differences starting in the third week. The 14L:10D photoperiod group showed significantly greater fatness than the 12L:12D group (P < 0.05), and a statistically significant difference in weight gain was also observed in the fourth week (P < 0.05). These results suggest that moderately extending the photoperiod can effectively accelerate gonadal development in females.

[0061] Table 7 Effects of different light intensity levels on parental seahorses (n=30)

[0062] Table 7 shows the effects of different light intensities on parental seahorse gonadal development. Results showed that within the 800-1200 Lx range, light intensities had similar effects on gonadal development, significantly outperforming the 600 Lx and 1400 Lx treatments (P < 0.05). The effects of light intensity were more pronounced in females than in males, with differences beginning to emerge in the fourth week of the experiment, suggesting a lag in gonadal development's response to light intensity. Furthermore, the experiment demonstrated that light intensity exceeding a certain threshold (≥800 Lx) effectively activated parental gonadal development. However, the results of this experiment suggest a certain interaction between the two factors on seahorse gonadal development. See Table 8 for detailed results.

[0063] Table 8 Effects of light intensity and photoperiod interaction on sexual maturation of parental seahorses (n=30)

[0064] Note: Sexual maturity refers to the number of seahorse tails that appear nuptial colors.

[0065] Table 8 further analyzes the interaction between photoperiod and light intensity. Data from week 4 show that seahorses in all treatment groups exhibited distinct nuptial coloration, indicating the onset of active reproduction. Comprehensive analysis reveals that gonadal development in the parent organisms was effectively initiated when the light duration was at least 12 hours and the light intensity was at least 600 lux. Gonadal development was most effective when the light duration exceeded 12 hours and the light intensity was maintained between 800 and 1200 lux. This suggests that photoperiod is a key factor driving gonadal development in the seahorse, while light intensity plays a synergistic role in initiating and enhancing it, with a certain degree of interactive promotion between the two.

[0066] The results show that, considering the influence of light intensity and photoperiod on the gonads of seahorses, gonadal development in seahorse parents is very good when the light intensity exceeds 12 hours and the light intensity exceeds 600 lux. The best conditions are light intensity >12 hours and light intensity between 800-1200 lux.

[0067] The systematic study of the above embodiments of the present invention verifies the scientificity and effectiveness of the differentiated light control strategy for different breeding stages of seahorses; it clarifies the application of yellow light lateral irradiation in the newborn larvae stage, combined with 800 Lx light intensity and 14L:10D photoperiod can significantly improve feeding responsiveness and survival rate. In the feed conversion stage, the use of a gradient light source with yellow on top and blue on bottom combined with appropriate light intensity and photoperiod settings can effectively guide the behavioral migration of seahorses, promote feed acclimation and adaptive transformation. In the parent breeding stage, the use of white light irradiation and setting of reasonable light intensity and photoperiod can accelerate the development of parent gonads and improve reproductive synchronization and efficiency. Based on the above experimental results, the present invention proposes a "light-behavior-nutrition" coordinated regulation principle, which fully combines the visual dependence characteristics, physiological behavior and ecological habits of seahorses at various stages, and achieves effective intervention and guidance in their feeding behavior, metabolic rhythm and reproductive activities by precisely setting the type, layout, light intensity and photoperiod parameters of the light source, thereby solving the key technical problems existing in traditional breeding, such as high mortality rate of newborn larvae, difficulty in acclimation during the feed conversion period, and unstable development of parent gonads. Compared with the existing technology, the present invention has the advantages of precise regulation, simple operation, clear stages and significant results. It can effectively improve the survival rate, bait utilization efficiency and breeding success rate of seahorse farming, and has good practicality, promotion value and industrial application prospects.

[0068] In the description of the present application, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "in the present embodiment", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, mechanisms, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, mechanisms, materials or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples, unless they are contradictory.

[0069] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for cultivating seahorses by supplementing light to improve survival rate, characterized in that: The steps include: S1: Lighting system settings: According to the needs of the seahorse breeding stage, set the light source in the breeding pool: Newborn larvae: Fix the light source horizontally 10-15 cm below the water surface, configure yellow light, light intensity 800-1000 lx, and the ratio of light time to dark time in the photoperiod is (14-16): (8-10); During the bait conversion phase, the light source was fixed vertically 20-60 cm below the water surface, with a gradient light source of yellow light at the top and blue light at the bottom, with a light intensity of 300-500 lx and a light-to-darkness ratio of (14-16):(8-10); Parent cultivation stage: Fix the light source 45-55 cm above the water surface, configure white light, light intensity 800-1200 lx, and the ratio of light time to dark time is (12-16): (8-12); S2: Phased breeding: Under the lighting system set in step S1, the newborn seahorses are cultured in sequence through the newborn stage, the feed conversion stage and the parent cultivation stage to complete the seahorse culture.

2. The seahorse breeding method for improving survival rate by auxiliary illumination according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S1, the lighting conditions for the newborn larvae are: yellow light, a ratio of light time to dark time in the photoperiod of 14:10, and a light intensity of 800 lx.

3. The seahorse breeding method for improving survival rate by auxiliary illumination according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S1, the lighting conditions in the bait conversion stage are: the light quality is a two-color light of yellow light and blue light, the ratio of light time to dark time in the light cycle is 14:10, and the light intensity is 500 lx.

4. The seahorse breeding method for improving survival rate by auxiliary illumination according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S1, the lighting conditions during the parent cultivation stage are: white light, a ratio of light time to dark time in the photoperiod of 14:10, and a light intensity of 1000 lx.

5. The seahorse breeding method for improving survival rate by auxiliary illumination according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S2, the seahorses in the newborn larval stage are newborn seahorse fry produced within 1 week, the seahorses in the feed conversion stage are seahorse larvae 30 to 45 days old and 3.5-4.5 cm in length, and the seahorses in the parent rearing stage are healthy male and female seahorse individuals that are 1 year old and sexually mature.

6. The seahorse breeding method for improving survival rate by auxiliary illumination according to claim 5, characterized in that: During the newborn larvae stage, the seahorses are fed with a mixture of rotifers and newly hatched Artemia, and the feeding frequency is twice a day.

7. The seahorse breeding method for improving survival rate by auxiliary illumination according to claim 5, characterized in that: During the bait conversion stage, the seahorses are fed with live mysis shrimp in the early stage, and then gradually replaced with frozen fresh mysis shrimp in the later stage, and the feeding frequency is once a day.

8. The seahorse breeding method for improving survival rate by auxiliary illumination according to claim 5, characterized in that: During the parent cultivation stage, the seahorses are fed with live mysis shrimp once a day.

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