THE EFFECT OF COMBINATION FACTORS OF SALINITY AND TEMPERATURE ON THE GROWTH AND SURVIVAL RATE OF HARD CLAM (MERETRIX MERETRIX) JUVENILES

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of combination factors of salinity and temperature on the growth and survival rate of hard clam (Meretrix meretrix) juveniles. Hard clam was cultured in laboratory at three different temperatures (15⁰C, 27⁰C and 35⁰C) in combination with three different salinity conditions (5‰, 20‰ and 35‰). Each experiment was carried out in triplicate and remained for one month. The results show that: At the experimental condition of 20‰ and 27⁰C of salinity and temperature, the growth of hard clam juveniles was fastest and survival rate of hard clam juveniles was highest (86%). In the 15⁰C - 20‰, 35⁰C - 20‰, 27⁰C - 5‰, 15⁰C - 35‰, 27⁰C - 35‰, the growth of hard clam juveniles was slower and their survival rate was lower with  61.3%, 42.6%, 39.3%, 10.7% and 60.6%, respectively. In the 15⁰C - 5‰, 35⁰C - 5‰ and 35⁰C - 35‰, clam was dead all. Our findings are scientific basis for aquacultural planning, farm management. In addition, these findings will contribute to building cultural techniques of clam appropriate for each production season together with protection and development of hard clam resource.