Effects of salinity on growth and survival of silver-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima, spat

Abstract

Juvenile silver-lip pearl oysters, Pinctada maxima Jameson, were held over a period of 20 days in the following salnities: 45, 40, 34 (ambient), 30, and 25 parts per thousand (‰). There were no significant differences in survival of spat from te different treatments; however, growth was significantly depressed at salinities of 45‰, 40‰ and 25‰. Best growth was recorded at a salinity of 30‰ where spat were siginicantly larger than those held at ambient salinity. Results indicate that P. maxima spat are tolerant of a wide range of salinities; moreover, reduced salinity may be beneficial to growth.