Reproductive and production performances of pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima) produced by thermal shock spawning method

Abstract

Pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima) hatchery faces several problems including low larval survival and slow larval growth. This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive and production performances of pearl oyster obtained from the breeding of silver and mixed populations through thermal shock spawning method. Two breeding types applied consisted of silver and mixed population breeding. Each breeding type was conducted in two experiments as the replication. The spawning method used in this study was thermal shock spawning method. Pearl oyster larvae hatched were stocked into a container with a stocking density of 3-4 individuals m-3. Live feed administered to larvae included Chaetoceros calcitrans, Isocrysis galbana, and Pavlova lutheri. The parameters observed included Fertilization Rate (FR), Hatching Rate (HR), Survival Rate (SR), and water quality. The silver population showed a higher reproductive performance with higher FR (35.56 ± 3.29%) and HR (81.63 ± 2.87%) than those of mixed population (35.03 ± 1.72%; 54.51 ± 0.32%). The silver population (45 ± 5%) resulted in a higher SR compared to mixed population (43 ± 2%). In conclusion, the silver population breeding provided higher reproductive and production performances, so one population breeding can be applied to achieve a high production in pearl oyster hatchery.