Effects of Feeding Treatments on Growth and Survival of Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) in the Hatchery

Abstract

Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) is potentially reared as aquaculture species but feeding regimes and nutrition for this clam remain questioned. The growth and survival of C. fluminea were evaluated with the assessment of feeding regimes raised in captive rearing treatments (with substrates) fed with spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). Three feeding methods were applied, Treatment A: deposit-feeding, Treatment B: suspension feeding, and Treatment C: combination deposit and suspension-feeding. Shell length (SL) and weight of the individuals were taken every 7 d which last for 6 wk. Condition index (CI), instantaneous growth rates of weight (Kw), and SL (KL) were determined after the experiment ends. Water parameters such as temperature (°C), pH, ammonia (NH4), and dissolved oxygen (DO) also being monitored along the experimental period. Significant weight gained (Kw) and CI was found higher in C. fluminea fed in Treatment C, where the increment was recorded at 6.24x10-3±2.4x10-3gday-1 and 4.34 ±0.3 respectively. Whereas, the increment of SL (KL) was insignificant in all treatments. Survival rates (SR) were greater than 95% in all treatments. The rearing conditions are significant factors that affect the feed utilization for their growth. The growth and survival indicate the specific feeding methods for captive C. fluminea and spirulina feasibility as their feed.