Discipline
Aquaculture
Methodology
Date
26 May 2026
Description
Giant Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) and Purple Grouper (Epinephelus cyanopodus) are both highly-valuable emerging aquaculture species, and these industries have a strong desire to implement selective breeding programs. To do so, breeding companies need greater control over breeding processes to ensure consistent and reliable production. Cryopreservation offers the potential to facilitate 1:1 crosses at different time intervals and enables the production of larval batches without relying on spawning broodstock. This project aims to undertake the first step towards this objective, by developing a species-specific solution for dilution and handling of grouper milt, and to extend the viability of grouper milt during short-term storage. This project will characterise the biochemical characteristics of each species milt and utilise advanced sperm analysis and cellular assays to optimise components of the diluent solution. This project is embedded within the ACIAR project “Addressing key technical bottlenecks in the grouper supply chain in Vietnam (and Australia) through manufactured feed and hatchery developments that aim to improve SME sector profitability”
Keywords
aquaculture;reproduction;animal breeding;gamete storage;giant grouper
Would Suit Applicants Who
This project has multiple components suitable for PhD, MSc or Honours students