Influence of salinity on survival and growth of Crassostrea gasar

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of salinity on the growth and survival of the mangrove oyster Crassostrea gasar. A laboratory trial was conducted in 10 treatments, each in triplicate, corresponding to rising values of salinity at intervals of 5 in the range of 5-50, totaling 30 experimental units. The survival and growth of the oysters were significantly influenced by salinity. A high survival of oysters in the salinity range between 10 and 45 was found. Significantly higher survival rates were obtained at salinities of 20 and 25, while at 5 there were lower survival rates. The final mean shell size and live weight of the oysters were significantly higher at a salinity of 25, while the lowest growth was registered at 5 and 50. The results suggest that the C. gasar oyster is resistant to a broad salinity range, and can be cultivated in marine regions or estuary environments that do not have salinities equal or lower than 5.