Factors Affecting Survival and Growth of Juvenile Freshwater Mussels Cultured in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

Abstract

Abstract.-Seasonal differences in glochidial maturity, substrate, and diet were studied to determine how these factors affect the survival and growth of juvenile freshwater mussels. Comparisons were made between juveniles produced in the fall and spring of the year; cultured in sediment, sand, or without substrate; and fed either of two species of small (5-10-m) green algae. The survival and growth of endangered juveniles of oyster mussel Epioblasma capsaeformis were compared with those of a common, seemingly more robust species, the rainbow mussel Villosa iris. The growth of rainbow mussel juveniles was significantly greater than that of oyster mussel juveniles (P Ͻ 0.001). The survival and growth of oyster mussel juveniles were significantly greater when propagated in the spring, that is, when glochidia were mature and would normally be released, than in fall (P Ͻ 0.001). Survival and growth of juveniles of both species were significantly greater when they were cultured in a sediment substratum rather than sand or no substratum (P Ͻ 0.001). No differences (P Ͼ 0.05) were observed in survival and growth of juveniles fed algal species Neochloris oleoabundans or Nannochloropsis oculata. In the spring of the year, juvenile oyster mussels achieved a survival of 29.6% and mean length of 664 m at 60 d of age, whereas at the same age rainbow mussel juveniles exhibited a survival of 25.1% and a mean length of 1,447 m.

Freshwater bivalves rearing: a brief overview

“…As regard as larval artificial nutrition, interesting results have been obtained using cultured microalgae as: Neochloris oleoabundans, Nannochloropsis oculata, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and Bracteacoccus grandis (Gatenby et al 1994;Jones et al 2005;Wacker et al 2002), moreover, artificial algae concentrates have been used with partial success (Nichols and Garling 2002). It is clear that the microbial water composition and sediment composition play a key role in larval nutrition as demonstrated by the success obtained especially in these recover projects that minimized the distance where mussels are moved (Raikow and Hamilton 2001).…”

“…High larval mortality is still considered the bottleneck in freshwater bivalves larval rearing (Nichols and Garling 2002;Jones et al 2005) and possible solutions could be transferred from marine bivalve farming (Marshall et al 2010). Efficient methods are currently used in marine bivalve larval rearing as: water disinfection, antibiotics, immunostimulants and probiotics, often as a combination of these (Fitt et al 1992;Kesarcodi-Watson et al 2008;Prado et al 2010).…”

Effects of rearing density and sub-sand filters on growth performance of juvenile freshwater mussels (Chamberlainia hainesiana) reared under recirculating system conditions

“…Therefore, a rearing system with a sub-sand filter could assist in lowering ammonia nitrogen content. Also, culturing mussels without a substrate, which resulted in very low survival 35 , had some important effects on pedal feeding behaviour, proper orientation of the mussels for filtering efficiency, and stability from physical disturbances.…”

Reprodução e cultivo de bivalves límnicos ameaçados de extinção: uma estratégia para a conservação do gênero Diplodon (Spix, 1827) (Mollusca, Hyriidae)

“…Desde então, os esforços por Buddensiek (1995), Gatenby et al (1997), O'Beirn et al (1998), Hanlon (2000), Jones et al (2005) e outros estudos não publicados têm diversificado e melhorado as técnicas de cultura. Gatenby et al (1997) (Yager et al, 1994), e ao menor estressse causado pelas borbulhas de ar (Gatenby et al, 1997).…”

“…Gatenby et al (1997) (Yager et al, 1994), e ao menor estressse causado pelas borbulhas de ar (Gatenby et al, 1997). Jones et al (2005) projetaram um sistema de recirculação tipo "mesocosmo" para uma variedade de espécies de bivalves. O mesocosmo é um sistema de recirculação com estágios incorporando vários processos biológicos naturais, incluindo o crescimento de bactérias e a decomposição de detritos.…”