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This chapter presents an overall perspective on the current status of cephalopod culture, its bottlenecks and future challenges. It focuses on the species that have received more research effort and consequently accumulated more scientific literature during the present century, namely Sepia officinalis,Sepioteuthis lessoniana,Octopus maya and Octopus vulgaris. Knowledge regarding physiology, metabolism and nutrition of different species is still lacking. Two main challenges are identified: the development of a sustainable artificial diet and the control of reproduction. Understanding cephalopod physiology and nutrition will probably be the biggest challenge in developing the large-scale culture of this group of molluscs on a medium to long term. In addition, zootechnical parameters need future research and improvement. The performance of an ethical experimentation with cephalopods is strongly encouraged and any zootechnical development should be performed and adapted accordingly. The potential of cephalopod culture extends far beyond its use for research and human consumption and probably it will be translated in a remarkable production in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medium-sized loliginid squids Loligo vulgaris and Doryteuthis opalescens have a long record as experimental models in cephalopod culture. The respective size of eggs (2.0–2.5 mm) and of hatchlings (2.5–3.5 mm mantle length) make them an interesting material for small-scale culture, but the high requirements for live food (copepods, live crustacean larvae and/or mysids at early juvenile stages), highly active swimming behaviour and the relatively modest adult size have prevented them from becoming target species in commercial culture projects. The inherent difficulties in providing large volume tanks to hold groups of schooling squid have an impact on profitability. However, the data obtained in culture experiments involving these species have been useful in a wider biological context. This chapter summarizes our present knowledge of their culture potential refraining from suggesting standardized methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]