Growth and terms of obtaining marketable triploid oysters in Donuzlav Liman (Black Sea, Crimea)

Abstract

The rate of linear and weight growth of triploid spat of oyster Crassostrea gigas in Donuzlav Liman (Black Sea, Crimea) was investigated. A quantitative relationship between the mass (W, g) of the whole oyster and the height of the shell (H, mm) is given (it is described by the equation W = 7 · 10-5 · Н3.1, R² = 0.78), as well as a quantitative relationship between the mass (W, g) of the whole oyster and the length of the shell (L, mm) (W = 3 · 10-4 · L3.12, R² = 0.65). The maximum rates of linear growth of triploid oysters T20 were registered in April (1.15 mm per day), of weight growth – in June (0.50 g per day) and August (0.61 g per day). It was shown that 27 % of triploid oysters T20 can reach commercial size after 6 months. It is recommended to use Pacific oysters of T20 size as a planting material on the shellfish farms in the Black Sea region.