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Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory

Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory

Matthew DiMaggio

Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist

Dr. Matt DiMaggio joined University of Florida School of Forest Resources and Conservation in 2014 as an assistant professor at the UF Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory in Ruskin. His research program focuses on the culture of ornamental fish species in Florida, and he works closely with the local industry to identify opportunities for optimization and innovation. He has a broad foundation in the field of aquaculture, having conducted research with both marine and freshwater species produced for food, bait, and ornamental purposes. His previous investigations have focused on a myriad of applied culture aspects including live feed production, larval rearing, and induced spawning. Additionally, elucidation of basic physiological responses within a species can provide an opportunity for intervention or manipulation to achieve desired outcomes in a production setting. Consequently, reproductive endocrinology, stress physiology, and osmoregulation are areas of particular interest due to their importance for the successful propagation of fishes in captivity.

Matt DiMaggio with fish

Matt DiMaggio bio page

CONTACT

UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory
1408 24th Street SE
Ruskin, FL  33570
mdimaggi@ufl.edu
813-671-5230 x115

  • Education

    Ph.D., Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2012, University of Florida

    M.S., Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2008, University of Florida

    B.S., Biology, 2003, State University of New York at Geneseo

  • Courses Taught

    FAS 6932 - Aquaculture II
    This course builds upon the foundations of the Aquaculture I (previously Introduction to Aquaculture) course (FAS6932). Students are exposed to more advanced concepts including aquaculture engineering and system design; broodstock management; live feeds and algae production; economics and marketing; as well as biosecurity. Application of principles and concepts presented in this class are emphasized. At the conclusion of this course students should have a firm grasp of critical concepts in aquaculture and be better prepared for careers in private, state, and federal organizations as well as academia.

  • Current Students

    Taylor Lipscomb – Ph.D. candidate 

    Grace Sowaske - M.S. student

    Noah Boldt - M.S. student

    Casey Murray - Ph.D. student

    Sarah Hutchins - M.S. student

  • Research Publications

    Sipos, M., T. Lipscomb, A. Wood, S. Ramee, M. DiMaggio and C. Watson. 2019. Evaluation of cGnRH IIa for induction spawning of two ornamental Synodontis species. Aquaculture.
    DOI: 734226

    Lipscomb, T., A. Wood, Q. Tuckett, J. Patterson, S. Ramee, C. Watson, and M. DiMaggio. 2019. Development of culture techniques for the gulf coast pygmy sunfish Elassoma gilberti. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society.
    DOI: 10.1111/jwas 12646 

    Sipos, M., T. Lipscomb, A. Wood, S. Ramee, M. DiMaggio and C. Watson. 2019. Evaluation of three embryo disinfectants on hatching success in four freshwater ornamental fish species. North American Journal of Aquaculture.
    https://doi.org/10.1002/naaq.10118

    Lipscomb, T. N., Wood, A. L., DiMaggio, M. A., Tuckett, Q. M., Lawson, L. L., Watson, C.A. 2018. Evaluation of spawning aids and administration routes on ovulation success in an ornamental cyprinid. Aquaculture Research 49:3926-3929.
    https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13865

    DiMaggio, M. A., Cassiano, E. J., Barden, K. P., Ramee, S. W., Ohs, C. L. & Watson, C. A. 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.
    https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12426

    Berlinsky, D.L., M.T. Watson, M.A. DiMaggio, and T.S. Breton. 2016. The use of tricaine methanesulfonate, clove oil, metomidate, and 2-phenoxyethanol for anesthesia induction in alewives. North American Journal of Aquaculture 78:84-91.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/15222055.2015.1105891

    DiMaggio, M.A., L.W. Kenter, T.S. Breton, and D.L. Berlinsky. 2016. Effects of dietary genistein administration on growth, survival and sex determination in southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma. Aquaculture Research 47:82-90.
    https://doi.org/10.1111/are.12470

    Berlinsky, D.L., M.A. DiMaggio, T.S. Breton, J. Walsh, and A.I. Kovach. 2015. Peritoneal pigmentation in purebred and hybrid river herring. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 144:717-723.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/00028487.2015.1037017

    DiMaggio, M.A., H.J. Pine, L.W. Kenter, and D.L. Berlinsky. 2015. Spawning, larviculture and salinity tolerance of alewives and blueback herring in captivity. North American Journal of Aquaculture 77:302-311.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/15222055.2015.1009590

    Broach, J.S., C.L. Ohs, M.A. DiMaggio, C.C. Green, and D.R. Yante. 2015. Efficacy of varying doses of pituitary extract from channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, on spawning performance of pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides, and pigfish, Orthopristis chrysoptera. North American Journal of Aquaculture 77:245-254.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/15222055.2015.1007191

    Breton T.S., M.A. DiMaggio, S.A. Sower, and D.L. Berlinsky. 2015. Brain aromatase (cyp19a1b) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (gnrh2 and gnrh3) expression during reproductive development and sex change in black sea bass (Centropristis striata). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 181:45-53.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.11.020

    DiMaggio, M.A., C.L. Ohs , J.S. Broach, and T.D. Sink. 2014. Effect of stocking density on growth, survival, and stress physiology of Pigfish, Orthopristis chrysoptera. North American Journal of Aquaculture 76:201-210.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/15222055.2013.867000

    DiMaggio, M.A., J.S. Broach, and C.L. Ohs. 2014. Evaluation of Ovaprim and human chorionic gonadotropin doses on spawning induction and egg and larval quality of Pigfish, Orthopristis chrysoptera. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 45:243-257.
    https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12122

    DiMaggio, M.A., J.S. Broach, and C.L. Ohs. 2013. Evaluation of Ovaprim and human chorionic gonadotropin doses on spawning induction and egg and larval quality of pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides. Aquaculture 414-415:9-18.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2013.07.012

    Ohs, C.L., M.A. DiMaggio, S.W. Grabe, J.S. Broach, C.A. Watson, N.E. Breen, and F.T. Barrows. 2013. Effects of increasing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) in brood diets of Monodactylus sebae on fecundity, egg and larval quality, and egg fatty acid composition. North American Journal of Aquaculture 75:285-294.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/15222055.2012.746248

    DiMaggio, M.A., J.S. Broach, C.L. Ohs and S.W. Grabe. 2013. Captive volitional spawning and larval rearing of Pigfish, Orthopristis chrysoptera. North American Journal of Aquaculture 75:109-113.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/15222055.2012.736447

    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. 

    DiMaggio, M.A., S.W. Grabe, S.M. DeSantis, and C.L. Ohs. 2010. Induced volitional spawning and larval rearing of Pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides. North American Journal of Aquaculture 72:252-257.
    https://doi.org/10.1577/A09-072.1 

    DiMaggio, M.A., C.L. Ohs, and B.D. Petty. 2010. Evaluation of a point-of-care blood analyzer for use in determination of select hematological indices in the Seminole killifish, Fundulus seminolis. North American Journal of Aquaculture 72:261-268.
    https://doi.org/10.1577/A09-067.1

    DiMaggio, M.A., C.L. Ohs, S.W. Grabe, B.D. Petty, and A.L. Rhyne. 2010. Osmoregulatory evaluation of Fundulus seminolis following gradual seawater acclimation. North American Journal of Aquaculture 72:124-131.
    https://doi.org/10.1577/A09-032.1

    Ohs, C.L., A.L. Rhyne, S.W. Grabe, M.A. DiMaggio, and E. Stenn. 2010. Effect of salinity on reproduction and survival of the Calanoid copepod Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus. Aquaculture 307:219-224.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2010.07.017

    Ohs, C.L., K.A. Chang, S.W. Grabe, M.A. DiMaggio, and E. Stenn. 2010. Evaluation of dietary microalgae for culture of the Calanoid copepod Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus. Aquaculture 307:225-232.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2010.07.016

    Ohs, C.L., S.W. Grabe, S.M. DeSantis, M.A. DiMaggio, and A.L. Rhyne. 2010. Culture of pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides) at different stocking densities and salinities in recirculating aquaculture systems. North American Journal of Aquaculture 72:132-140.

    DiMaggio, M.A., C.L. Ohs, and B.D. Petty. 2009. Salinity tolerance of the Seminole Killifish, Fundulus seminolis, a candidate species for marine baitfish aquaculture. Aquaculture 293:74-80.

    Ni, J., T. Mai, S.T. Pang, I. Haque, K. Huang, M.A. DiMaggio, S. Xie, N.S. James, D. Kasi, S.R. Chemler, and S. Yeh. 2009. In Vitro and In Vivo anticancer effects of the novel vitamin E ether analog, RRR-a-Tocopheryloxybutyl Sulfonic Acid, in prostate cancer. Clinical Cancer Research 15(3):898-906.

    DiMaggio, M.A., B.D. Petty and C.L. Ohs. 2008. The parasitic fauna of the Seminole Killifish, Fundulus seminolis, from Lake George, Florida. European Association of Fish Pathologists 28(6):238-244.

    Yin, Y., J. Ni, M. Chen, M.A. DiMaggio, Y. Guo, and S. Yeh. 2007. The therapeutic and preventive effect of RRR-alpha-vitamin E succinate on prostate cancer via induction of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3. Clinical Cancer Research 13(7):2271-2280.

  • Extension Publications

    S. Ramee, T. Lipscomb, and M. DiMaggio. 2019. Microworm Culture for Use in Freshwater Ornamental Aquaculture. University of Florida Cooporative Extension Service. EDIS Publication # FA-214.
    https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FA/FA21400.pdf

    Watson, C., M. DiMaggio, J. Hill, Q. Tuckett, and R. Yanong. 2019. Evolution, culture, and care for Betta splendens. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA 212.
    https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FA/FA21200.pdf

    Ramee, S.W., J.T. Patterson, C.L. Ohs, M.A. DiMaggio. 2016. Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: Gulf Killifish, Fundulus grandis. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA190.
    https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FA/FA19000.pdf

    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.
    https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FA/FA18800.pdf

    Ohs, C.L., R.L. Creswell, and M.A. DiMaggio. 2013. Growing marine baitfish: a guide to Florida’s common marine baitfish and their potential for aquaculture. Florida Sea Grant College Program and the University of Florida. Publication SGEB-69.
    http://nsgl.gso.uri.edu/flsgp/flsgph13002.pdf

    Ohs, C.L., M.A. DiMaggio, and S.W. Grabe. 2011. Species Profile: Pigfish, Orthopristis chrysoptera. USDA Southern Regional Aquaculture Center Publication #7209.
    https://srac.tamu.edu/serveFactSheet/232

    Ohs, C.L., M.A. DiMaggio, and S.W. Grabe. 2011. Species Profile: Pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides. USDA Southern Regional Aquaculture Center Publication #7210.
    https://srac.tamu.edu/serveFactSheet/233

    Ohs, C.L., S.W. Grabe, and M.A. DiMaggio. 2010. Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA168.
    https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FA/FA16800.pdf