Aquaculture hatcheries

Hatcheries are facilities where aquaculture products are bred and raised for at least part of their life cycle. Aquaculture hatcheries in Queensland supply seed stock to commercial aquaculture grow-out farms, the aquarium trade and fish stocking programs.

Characteristics of hatchery systems

Hatcheries hold adult broodstock that are manipulated under controlled conditions to induce spawning, which results in egg and larval production.

The design of a hatchery will be determined by the site requirements as well as the species being produced and funding available.

A hatchery may produce juveniles for sale or it may be part of a larger aquaculture operation.

A hatchery would typically contain a broodstock holding and spawning area, feed culture facility, larval culture area, juvenile culture area, pump facilities, laboratory and quarantine area.

Suitable species for aquaculture hatcheries

Most hatcheries are involved in producing a range of species for the commercial aquaculture industry for on-growing as well as for the aquarium trade.

Queensland hatcheries produce a diverse range of marine and freshwater species from both tropical and temperate climates.

Species produced in marine hatcheries include:

Species produced in freshwater hatcheries include:

Things to consider

The Aquaculture Association of Queensland offers accreditation for professional commercial hatcheries under its Commercial Hatchery Code of Best Practice.

Many grow-out aquaculture operations produce juveniles in their own hatchery facilities, while other growers rely on stock produced by independent Queensland hatcheries. Some grow-out farms source juveniles from interstate hatcheries; however, you must follow strict translocation and biosecurity protocols when moving aquaculture stock interstate.

Learn about moving live aquatic animals.

  • Last reviewed: 1 Sep 2016
  • Last updated: 1 Sep 2016