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Effects of stocking density on growth and survival of early juvenile silver-lip pearl oysters, Pinctada maxima (Jameson), held in suspended nursery culture

1997; Elsevier BV; Volume: 153; Issue: 1-2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0044-8486(97)00015-x

1873-5622

Joseph J. Taylor, Robert A. Rose, Paul C. Southgate, Claire E. Taylor,

Marine and fisheries research

This study investigated the effects of stocking density on the growth and survival of juvenile silver-lip (or gold-lip) pearl oysters, Pinctada maxima. Spat were resettled onto PVC slats (75 × 500 mm2) and held in suspended nursery culture for 6 weeks at four stocking densities: ten juveniles per slat (1.3 juveniles per 100 cm2); 50 juveniles per slat (6.7 juveniles per 100 cm2); 100 juveniles per slat (13.3 juveniles per 100 cm2) and 150 juveniles per slat (20 juveniles per 100 cm2). Best survival was recorded at a stocking density of ten juveniles per slat (80 ± 4.36%, mean ± s.e.) which was significantly higher than the other densities tested (P < 0.05). Survival did not differ significantly between the other densities tested (P > 0.05). Best growth, measured as wet weight, shell length and shell height, was shown at a density of ten juveniles per slat, where wet weight and shell length were significantly greater than at any other stocking density (P < 0.05). Shell height was also significantly greater at a density of ten juveniles per slat than at all other stocking densities with the exception of 50 juveniles per slat. Spat were significantly (P < 0.05) smaller at each increase in stocking density from 50 juveniles per slat to 150 per slat. The incidence of growth deformities increased with increasing stocking density. These increases were significant (P < 0.05) between all densities apart from 100 juveniles per slat and 150 per slat, where the difference in the number of deformed animals was not significant (P > 0.05). The ratio of shell height to shell length was also influenced by stocking density. Differences between the shell height:shell length ratios were significant between all stocking densities (P < 0.05) except 100 juveniles per slat and 150 juveniles per slat, where there were no significant differences (P > 0.05).