Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory

Eric Cassiano

Assistant Extension Scientist

Eric received his B.S. in Marine Biology from Hawaii Pacific University in the spring of 2002. After a brief period with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife working in fisheries science, he began working for the Oregon State University Molluscan Broodstock Program, where he was exposed to aquaculture of the Pacific oyster. After a few years there, Eric began a position in Cedar Key, Florida, with the University of Florida, where he was involved with various production aspects of the hard clam aquaculture industry. In 2009, he received his M.S. in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from the University of Florida under Dr. Cortney Ohs. His thesis focused on evaluating Florida pompano larvae fed calanoid copepod nauplii. Eric joined the University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory in 2010 as a part of a new project exploring the production of marine ornamental fish species where his research focused on exploring the use and production of live feeds for marine fish larviculture. Eric began as the Assistant Extension Scientist in the fall of 2016.

Eric at Busch Gardens with kids

Eric Cassiano bio page

CONTACT

UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory
1408 24th Street SE
Ruskin, FL 33570
ericcass@ufl.edu
813-671-5230

Google Scholar Profile

Education

M.S., Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2009, University of Florida

B.S., Marine Biology, 2002, Hawaii Pacific University

Extension Publications

For the most recent publications, please visit Eric's Google Scholar Profile.

Boldt, N.C., C.R. Engle, J. van Senten, E.J. Cassiano, and M.A. DiMaggio. 2022. The effects of regulation on ornamental aquaculture farms in Florida. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA248.
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Neff, J., E.J. Cassiano, M. Alo, and C. Watson. 2022. Energy efficiency for Florida aquaculture facilities: Variable frequency drives. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA247.
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Neff, J., E.J. Cassiano, M. Alo, and C. Watson. 2022. Energy efficiency for Florida aquaculture facilities: Energy use audit. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA238.
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Groover, E.M., M.A. DiMaggio, and E.J. Cassiano. 2020. Overview of commonly cultured marine ornamental fish. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA224.
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Ohs, C.L., J.S. Broach, E.J. Cassiano, and J. Marcellus. 2019. Design and operation of egg collectors for pelagic spawning marine fishes. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA211.
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Cassiano, E.J., J.E. Hill, Q.M. Tuckett, and C.A. Watson. 2018. Eastern Mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki, for control of mosquito larvae. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA202.
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Cassiano, E., M. DiMaggio, C. Ohs, and J. Marcellus. 2015. Using airlifts to collect and concentrate copepod nauplii. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA188.
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Barden, K.P., M.L. Wittenrich, and E.J. Cassiano. 2014. Candidate species for marine ornamental aquaculture: French Grunt, Haemulon flavolineatum. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA186.
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Cassiano, E.J., C.L. Ohs, and J.E. Hill. 2009. Candidate species for Florida aquaculture: Pigfish, Orthropristis chrysoptera. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA160.
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Ohs, C.L., E.J. Cassiano, and A. Rhodes. 2009. Choosing an appropriate live feed for larviculture of marine fish. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA167.
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Cassiano, E. and K. Barden. 2014. Candidate species for marine ornamental aquaculture: Porkfish, Anisotremis virginicus. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA187.
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Research Publications

For the most recent publications, please visit Eric's Google Scholar Profile.

Boldt, N.C., C.R. Engle, J. van Senten, E.J. Cassiano, and M.A. DiMaggio. 2022. A regulatory cost assessment of ornamental aquaculture farms in Florida. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 2022:1-20.
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Broach, J.S., E.J. Cassiano, and C.A. Watson. 2017. Baseline culture parameters for the cyclopoid copepod Oithona colcarva; a potential new live feed for marine fish larviculture. Aquaculture Research 48:4461-4469.
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Degidio, J.M., R.P.E Yanong, C.L. Ohs, C.A. Watson, E.J. Cassiano, and K.P. Bardon. 2017. First feeding parameters of the Milletseed Butterflyfish, Chaetodon miliaris. Aquaculture Research 49:1087-1094.
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Degidio, J-M.L.A., R.P.E. Yanong, C.A. Watson, C.L. Ohs, E.J. Cassiano, and K.P. Barden. 2017. Spawning, embryology, and larval development of the Milletseed Butterflyfish, Chaetodon milaris, in the laboratory. North American Journal of Aquaculture 79(3):205-215.
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DiMaggio, M. A., E.J. Cassiano, K.P. Barden, S.W. Ramee, C.L. Ohs, and C.A. Watson. 2017. First record of captive larval culture and metamorphosis of the Pacific Blue Tang, Paracanthurus hepatus. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 48:393-401.
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Hauville, M.R., E.J. Cassiano, K.P. Barden, M.L. Wittenrich, and C.A. Watson. 2017. Larval development, growth and impact of first feed on the aquaculture of French Grunt, Haemulon flavolineatum. Aquaculture Research 48:5439-5442.
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Cassiano, E.J., M.L. Wittenrich, T.B. Waltzek, N.K. Steckler, K.P. Barden, and C.A. Watson. 2015. Utilizing public aquariums and molecular identification techniques to address the larviculture potential of Pacific Blue Tangs (Paracanthurus hepatus), Semicircle Angelfish (Pomacanthus semicirculatis), and Bannerfish (Heniochus sp.). Aquaculture International 23(1):253-265.
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Cassiano, E.J., M.L. Wittenrich, G.C. Violetta, and C.A. Watson. 2012. Growth and survival of Porkfish, Anisotremus virginicus, larvae: comparing rotifers and copepod nauplii during first feeding. Animal Biology and Animal Husbandry 4(2):72-78.

Cassiano, E.J., C.L. Ohs, and M.A. DiMaggio. 2012. Stress survival in larvae of Florida Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) fed enriched rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) and nauplii of the calanoid copepod (Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus). The Israeli Journal of Aquaculture-Bamidgeh 64:793-801.

Wittenrich, M.L., R.G. Turingan, and E.J. Cassiano. 2012. Rearing tank size effects feeding performance, growth, and survival of Sergeant Major, Abudefduf saxatilis, larvae. Aquaculture Aquarium Conservation & Legislation 5(5):393-402.

Cassiano, E.J., C.L. Ohs, C.R. Weirich, N.E. Breen, and A.L. Rhyne. 2011. Performance of larval Florida Pompano, Trachinotus carolinus, fed nauplii of the calanoid copepod Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus. North American Journal of Aquaculture 73:114-123.