18.  Amphioctopus aegina

The marbled octopus, Amphioctopus aegina, is a moderately sized benthic octopus, inhabiting muddy substrates in the coastal zone of the Indian and Western Pacific Ocean. Capture fishing of octopus in these regions includes this species. The aquaculture methodology comprises collection of broodstocks from the wild, nursing of the eggs and brooding females, nursing of the planktonic young and growout of the benthic young. All phases of the culture process prior to growout can be performed on a small scale with a 50-L tank. The general task for feeding is to feed planktonic food to the planktonic young for about 30 days, and to then provide benthic food after the settling stage. Culturing of Amphioctopus aegina as a model for scientific experiments and home aquaria is the future commercial task.