Growth of the Bay Scallop, Argopecten irradians, in a Waste Recycling Aquaculture System
Mann, R. and R.E. Taylor Jr.
Aquaculture, Vol. 24, pp. 45-52, 1981 WHOI-R-81-001
Growth of the bay scallop Argopecten irradians in a pilot scale waste recycling aquaculture system was examined over a 32-week-period at 14Á C. A. irradians increased from initial live and dry weights of 1.15 g and 0.043 g, respectively, to terminal values of 9.08 g and 0.599 g, respectively. This corresponds to instantaneous growth rates for live weight (G) and dry meat weight (M) of 0.009 and 0.013, respectively. High mortalities were evident towards the end of the experiment with a terminal value of 33% giving an instantaneous mortality rate (Z) value of 0.0016. In laboratory experiments of 12 weeks duration at, 12, 15, 18 and 21Á C juvenile A. irradians gave values of 0.01, 0.013, 0.018 and 0.016 for G; 0.015, 0.015, 0.016 and 0.013 for M; and 0.038, 0.038, 0.037 and 0.040 for Z at the respective temperatures. Shell deformities were evident in laboratory grown individuals. ñA. irradiansî exhibits specific growth rates comparable to or higher than those previously recorded for other bivalve species cultured in waste recycling systems; however, a considerable reduction in the presently high mortality rate will be required to make A. irradians a prime candidate for practical application.