Effects of stocking density, diet, and water exchange on growth and survival of pearl oyster Pinctada maxima larvae

Three experiments were carried out to separately investigate the effects of stocking density (1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 larvae ml(-1)), diet (Isochrysis zhanjiangensis, Chlorella spp., Nannochloropsis oculata, 50 % I. zhanjiangensis/50 % Chlorella spp. and 50 % I. zhanjiangensis/50 % N. oculata), and water exchange (25 % once every other day and 25, 50 and 100 % once daily) on growth and survival of pearl oyster Pinctada maxima larvae. Results showed that there existed significant effects of stocking density, diet, and water exchange on the growth of pearl oyster larvae (P < 0.05). Larval survival was significantly affected by stocking density and diet (P < 0.05), but not by water exchange (P > 0.05). Larval growth decreased significantly with increasing stocking density (P < 0.05). A density of 1.0-4.0 larvae ml(-1) was optimal for larval growth of pearl oyster. Chlorella spp. and N. oculata could replace 50 % of I. zhanjiangensis as a food source for the pearl oyster larvae without affecting growth and survival. A water exchange of 25 % once daily provided optimum larval growth and survival.