Paroctopus digueti is the smallest octopus (15 cm) that inhabits benthic-muddy environments within the Gulf of California. Its life cycle is short (6 months), with direct development, produces up to 300 6-8 mm long eggs sheltered by the female until hatching. These characteristics make P. digueti an ideal candidate for culture as a research model.
The present study establishes baseline values of metabolism, biometric and biochemical parameters of P. digueti, which allow determining the optimal conditions for development and growth in a short time.
Standard metabolic rate was determined through a closed respirometry system under normal conditions of temperature (26°C) and salinity (38 ups) in three size ranges (15-24 g, 25-33 g, > 34 g). Biometric measurements were taken at the beginning and end of the trial, tissue samples were taken for biochemical analysis (-80°C). Growth was evaluated for a period of 38 days.