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The effect of shade on water quality parameters and survival and growth of juvenile fluted giant clams, Tridacna squamosa, cultured in a land-based growth trial

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Abstract

Juvenile fluted giant clams, Tridacna squamosa (mean shell length (SL) 15.7 ± 1.9 mm, mean total wet weight (TWW) 0.3 ± 0.1 g), were cultured for 4 months in land-based nursery tanks under four shade regimes (0, 10, 55 and 80 % shade). After 4 months, there were no significant differences in survival which ranged from 98.8 ± 0.1 % in juveniles cultured under 55 % shade to 100.0 ± 0.0 % in the other treatments. The SL of unshaded juveniles was only significantly greater than that of juveniles shaded 55 and 80 %. However, the TWW of juveniles cultured with no shade was significantly greater than that of the juveniles from all other treatments. The mean growth rate of juveniles varied from 5.0 mm month−1 for juveniles shaded 80 % to 6.9 mm month−1 for juveniles not shaded. There was no significant difference in mean growth rate of unshaded juveniles and juveniles shaded 10 %, but only the growth rate of juveniles cultured unshaded was significantly greater than that of juveniles shaded 55 and 80 %. The organic tissue content of juveniles cultured either unshaded or shaded 55 % was significantly higher than that of juveniles shaded 80 %. In contrast, the condition index (CI) of juveniles shaded 80 % was significantly higher than the CI of juveniles cultured either unshaded or shaded 55 %. However, there was no significant difference between the CI of juveniles shaded 80 and 10 %. Growth rate of juveniles was significantly correlated with temperature, dissolved oxygen content and flow rate of seawater. While low degrees of shade increase the growth rate of juvenile T. squamosa, they also negatively affect tissue condition. A shade level of 10 % appears to be optimal as it maximises growth and maintains a high CI.

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Abbreviations

AFDW:

Ash-free dry weight

CI:

Condition Index

DAC:

Darwin Aquaculture Centre

DO:

Dissolved oxygen

NT:

Northern Territory (Australia)

SW:

Shell dry weight

SL:

Shell length

DW:

Tissue dry weight

WW:

Tissue wet weight

TWW:

Total wet weight

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported financially by the Darwin Aquaculture Centre of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Northern Territory Government. Special thanks are expressed to Brian and Barbara Koennecke of Arafura Aquatic Fish P/L for supplying the broodstock. Dr. Sue-Ann Watson is thanked for reviewing the draft manuscript and providing helpful comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Darwin Aquaculture Centre, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, NT, 0801, Australia

    Amanda L. Adams, Evan W. Needham & Jens Knauer

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  1. Amanda L. Adams
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  2. Evan W. Needham
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  3. Jens Knauer
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Correspondence to Amanda L. Adams.

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Adams, A.L., Needham, E.W. & Knauer, J. The effect of shade on water quality parameters and survival and growth of juvenile fluted giant clams, Tridacna squamosa, cultured in a land-based growth trial. Aquacult Int 21, 1311–1324 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-013-9634-9

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