I am a second year graduate student with a graduation date of May 2016. I am currently working with first feeding larval yellow tang primarily during the crucial, first feeding bottleneck. My project deals with different parameters of the rearing environment in hopes of improving feed incidence, growth and survival. My thesis is officially titled
“Effects of Photoperiod, Light Intensity, Turbidity, and Prey Density on Feed Incidence, Growth and Survival in Cultured Larval Yellow Tang *(Zebrasoma flavescens)*.”
To date, I have been able to determine an ideal photoperiod as it pertains to feed incidence which OI has applied to the current groups of 20 day post hatch (DPH)+ yellow tang larvae. Light intensity and turbidity have also yielded significant results that may be applied to larval rearing in the future.
Trials pertaining to prey density are ongoing. Once completed, I will run an experiment where all the new found parameters will be combined and compared against OI’s previous rearing parameters in hopes of finding significant improvements in overall survival during first feeding (3-5 DPH)
Recently my preliminary photoperiod data was accepted for exhibition at the World Aquaculture Society’s conference in Las Vegas, February 2016. Presenting my research is a great opportunity to share the unique research going on at OI with the help of Rising Tide conservation.
On a personal note, I am a Florida native where I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of West Florida under the guidance of Dr. Alexis Janosik and Dr. Toby Daly-Engel. After graduate school I plan on spending some time in the aquaculture industry and then pursue a PhD pertaining to aquaculture, specifically ornamental aquaculture if possible. My husband Ryan Davison is active duty Army and we have two fur babies named Jasper and Icarus.
