Growout of hatchery-reared juvenile spotted babylon (Babylonia areolate link 1807) to marketable size at four stocking densities in flow-through and recirculating seawater systems

Hatchery reared juvenile spotted babylon, Babylonia areolata, were raised in canvas rearing tanks at four stocking densities ( 100, 200, 300 and 400 ind. m(-2)) in flow-through and recirculating seawater systems until they reached the marketable sizes of 100 - 140 snails/kg. At all stocking densities, final increments in mean length and weight of snails held in flow-through systems were higher than those in recirculating systems, there was a significant effect ( p < 0.05) of culture system on final length and weight. Mean ( +/- SE) survival of snails held at 100 ind. m(-2) in the flow-through system was 100.0 +/- 0.1% but was not significantly higher than survival in any other treatment ( p > 0.05). Mean survival of snails held in the recirculating system was not significantly lower than at any stocking density in the flow-through system ( p > 0.05).