The employment of different types of spat collectors and their orientation were investigated, as well as the effect of light and depth on larval settlement, with the aim of optimizing hatchery production of C. varia spat. Competent larvae were seeded in tanks with and without collectors, and were maintained for 3 wk. The larvae showed preference for settling on the internal shaded surface of the collectors placed horizontally. Settlement was significantly higher in deeper than shallower situated collectors. The absence of light reduced the settlement significantly. The mean settlement on the walls of the tanks without collectors was 17.7 ± 0.59%, whereas settlement on the walls of the tanks with collectors was 13.7 ± 2.62% and increased an additional 18.6 ± 3.93 when collectors were in place (i.e., a final settlement of 32.3%). The results suggest that the presence of an attachment substrate improves the yield obtained during hatchery production of C. varia spat.