Advances in spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) broodstock management

The spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor), a member of the family Anarhichadidae, inhabits marine environments, primarily within the North Atlantic Ocean, particularly the waters adjacent to Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and the northern territories of the United Kingdom. Owing to its sporadic distribution, it commonly appears incidentally in trawl and longline fisheries rather than being deliberately targeted. Nevertheless, endeavors directed at its aquacultural cultivation indicate the species' potential to emerge as a notable farmed candidate. Distinguished by its distinctive morphology, the spotted wolffish boasts an elongated, cylindrical body accompanied by a sizeable, rounded cranium. It possesses a formidable oral apparatus replete with robust, pointed dentition aptly suited for the pulverization of mollusks and crustaceans. As implied by its name, the species is recognized by its intricate pigmentation pattern, marked by an arrangement of diverse shades of brown, black, and white, facilitating effective camouflage within its natural rocky habitat. The spotted wolffish exhibits propitious attributes conducive to aquaculture research and development (Fig. 1). Nonetheless, the incipient state of this species' cultivation process remains evident. Its inherent traits render it an ideal contender for diversification within aquacultural enterprises. In accordance with this perspective, recent years have witnessed dedicated initiatives focused on advancing the aquacultural potential of the spotted wolffish in Norway. Notwithstanding, the expansion of this nascent industry necessitates a heightened understanding of diverse facets of broodstock management, encompassing gamete production and manipulation. Recent times have witnessed intensive efforts aimed at refining in vitro fertilization methodologies specific to this distinctive species. Progress has been made in refining techniques for sperm cryopreservation, incorporating refrigeration and cryobanking procedures. This compendium expounds upon the evolutions and innovations observed within broodstock management, encompassing the domains of sperm collection, evaluation of sperm quality, storage, and its subsequent use to fertilize eggs.