Potential of Live Rock Culture in Coastal Environments of Sri Lanka Based on Shape, Substrate, and Monsoon Pattern

Abstract

Purpose: Live rocks are very important and highly demanded in the global aquarium industry and can be cultured easily without sophisticated techniques or knowledge. Marine Live rock culture may become a conceivable alternative industry among the resource utilizing coastal communities in Sri Lanka. However, it has not been scientifically studied yet. Research Method: Nine types of cement rocks were made by changing three types of shapes and three types of substrates and those were placed in different study locations on the Southern and Eastern coast of Sri Lanka covering all four types of monsoon patterns prevail in the country. Findings: Live species attachments, their attachment rates, and consumer preferences differed with the shape, substrate, monsoon pattern, study location, and growth period in the sea and most of those differences were statistically significant. Consumer preference was mainly dependent on the nature of biota attachments on top of the different rock types. Therefore, their preferences were also changing with the types of rock, monsoon pattern, and location. Originality/ Value: Findings can be effectively utilized for establishing live rock culture as an alternative industry, especially in ecosystems where resources are depleted or degraded.