Chimaera husbandry
in aquaria

Very few aquaria in the world host chimaeras, succeed in maintaining them in good health and have the opportunity to observe their reproductive behaviour. The aquarium of Planet Ocean Montpellier (France) has initiated an original consortium between aquaria worldwide to share data on life history traits and optimal environmental parameters for raising spotted ratfishes Hydrolagus colliei. The Planet Ocean Montpellier team allows the process of valued data on feeding, mating, and egg-laying behaviour, as well as on the hatchling and growth of this species, whose biology remains largely unknown.

Related publication:

F. Berio, R. Charron, J.-M. Dagouret, F. De Gasperis, A. Éon, E. Meunier, M. Simonet, N. Verschraegen & N. Hirel (2023). Husbandry conditions of spotted ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei, Chimaeriformes) in aquaria for successful embryonic development and long-term survival of juveniles. — Zoo Biology. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/zoo.21813