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Notice: ©2009 Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute. Proceedings can be found online at http://www.gcfi.org/ Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Proceedings are not copyrighted and there is no charge for non‐commercial use. However, GCFI strongly encourages individuals who wish to use figures, images or other components of a paper published in the proceedings to contact the author to receive approval. GCFI became an independent not‐for profit corporation in 1985 and is entirely supported by member contributions, grants, and subscriptions to its Proceedings. This manuscript may be cited as Shawl, Amber, Dave Jenkins, Megan Davis, and Kevan Main (2005) Growth of Florida fighting conch, Strombus alatus, in recirculating systems in Proceedings of the 56th Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute held November 2003 Roadtown, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, p.773‐780.
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FORT FORT
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of of
BRITISH BRITISH
ROADTOWN,TORTOLA ROADTOWN,TORTOLA
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Gulf Gulf
PIERCE, PIERCE,
R. R.
Fisheries Fisheries Proceedings
Proceedings ofthe Proceedings
NOVEMBER NOVEMBER
LeRoy LeRoy
- -
Edited Edited
52-033783 52-033783
and and
SIXTH SIXTH VIRGIN
FIFTY - SIXTH ANNUAL VIRGIN
Catalog Catalog
Caribbean Caribbean
FLORIDA FLORIDA
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NOVEMBER 2003
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Edited by: R. LeRoy Creswell
FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA 2005 Growth ofFlorida Fighting Conch, Stromblls aiatlls, in Recircnlating Systems
AMBER SHAWL', DAVE JENKlNS', MEGAN DAVIS', and KEVAN MAIN' J Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Aquaculture Division 5600 US 1 North Ft. Pierce, Florida 34946 USA [email protected]: [email protected] 2 Mote Marine Laboratory 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, Florida 34236 USA dave;@mole.org; [email protected]
ABSTRACT With the increased interest in water conservation and the need to reduce the discharge of effluent from aquaculture production systems, there'has been a shift from open, flow-through systems to recirculating aquaculture production systems. In 2001, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution developed the ftrst recirculating conch aquaculture program. Two important aspects of conch aquaculture are determining the stocking density and water quality parameters in growout systems that yield the fastest growth rate and the highest survival. An experiment was conducted from March II - June 3, 2003 at two Florida sites, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and Mote Marine Laboratory, to compare survival and growth of juvenile conch in a recirculating growout system. The recirculating system consisted of raceways troughs with an elevated sand substrate. The three replicate raceway troughs at each site were stocked with juvenile (I6.9 ± 1.9 shell length) Florida fighting conch, Strom bus alatus at 75 conch/m' (109 and 140 conch per replicate at Harbor Branch and Mote, respectively). In 12 weeks, the conch grew 18.8 mm or 0.22 nun! a day at Harbor Branch and 22.5 mm or 0.27 nun!daya at Mote. There was a a a % % an an for the the for
significantly faster growth rate at Mote, which appeared to be due to a lower was was mmJ mmJ were were 70 lower 70 lower conch conch was was been been reduce stocking density throughout the experiment Therereduce was an 83 % and 70 % Strom Strom Harbor Harbor Branch Florida Branch Florida a a systems systems with with growout growout of of survival. survival. site site ratio ratio to overall survival rate at Harbor Branch and Mote,to respectively. Temperature, 0.22 0.22 in in at at and and to to production production parameters parameters quality quality Laboratory, Laboratory, two salinity, and pH averaged 26.7°C, 31.6 %0, and 7.9, respectively two at Harbor or or There There % % Temperature, Temperature, conch, conch, each each developed developed at at due due need need Harbor Branch, and 26.4°C, 34.9 %0,and 8.2, at Mole. The feed conversion ratio was Harbor there"has there"has aspects aspects highest 83 highest 83 troughs troughs at at nun nun at at water water be be
a/allis, at Harbor Branch and 2.2 at Mote. The recirculating aquaculture systems ala/lis, 13 quality quality the the Marine Marine an 2 an 2 , , aquaculture aquaculture 2003 the 2003 the Mote. Mote. to to conversion utilized at each site had optimal slocking densities and water quality for conversion 2 2 recirculating recirculating 18.8 18.8 bus fighting fighting and and respectively respectively aquaculture 3, aquaculture 3, at at and and a growing juvenile conch. a water and water and was was troughs troughs systems. systems, feed feed Institution Institution Mote Mote in in MAIN MAIN important important replicate replicate raceways raceways respectively. respectively. Institution Institution 7.9, 7.9, USA USA grew grew USA USA June June and and rate rate Strom Strombus KEY WORDS: Aquaculture, conch, Stromblls and and The The appeared appeared AN - of of Florida Florida per per JENKINS JENKINS There There Two Two mmlday mm/day and and 1 - densities densities Parkway Parkway conch conch recirculating recirculating 1] raceway raceway Mote, Mote, conch conch 34946 34946 Systems Systems 34236 34236 KEV KEVAN production recirculating production recirculating %0, North %0, North conservation conservation density density growth Division growth Division which which conch conch Labora/ory Laboratory Mote. Mote. 0.27 0.27 The The mdavis@}lboi.edu Conch, mdavis@}lboi.edu Conch, 1 DAVE 1 DAVE length) length) the the and and [email protected] [email protected] to to , and and at at I, 1 or or Institution Institution March March] consisted consisted Oceanographic Strombus Oceanographic Strombus 140 140 I, I, US US program. 31.6 program. 31.6 juvenile juvenile stocking stocking water water replicate replicate Oceanographic Oceanographic Thompson Thompson Mote, Mote, shell shell fastest fastest Flo/ida Florida 8.2, 8.2, Florida Florida of of experimenl experiment mm Marine mm Marine Mote. Mote. ABSTRACT ABSTRACT in in stocking stocking weeks, weeks, and and at at Branch Branch from from 5600 5600 systems systems 1.9 1.9 the the at at aquaculture aquaculture Ken and Ken conch, conch, and Fighting three Fighting three SHAWL the SHAWL the 12 12 system DAVIS system DAVIS the the Aquaculture Aquaculture Branch Branch ± ± 22.5 22.5 26.7°C, 26.7°C, Mote Mote optimal rate optimal rate Branch Branch (l09 (109 Pierce, Pierce, Recirculating Recirculating 2.2 2.2 2 2 %0, %0, In In growth growth 2 2 The The yield yield from from 1600 1600 interest interest aquaculture aquaculture Sarasota, Sarasota, Harbor Harbor Ft. Ft. and and had had (I6.9 (16.9 and and [email protected]: [email protected]: Oceanographic Oceanographic at at and and 34.9 34.9 conducted conducted Harbor Harbor Florida ashaw/@}Jboi.edu: Florida ashaw/@}Jboi.edu: that that AMBER AMBER growth growth MEGAN MEGAN Harbor Harbor conch averaged conch averaged J J site site of of throughout throughout conch. conch. flow-through flow-through conch/m conch/m rate rate Aquaculture, Aquaculture, effluent effluent determining determining was was recirculating recirculating Branch Branch Branch Branch increased increased substrate. substrate. 2001, 2001, of of Branch 75 Branch 75 pH pH juvenile juvenile faster faster 26.4°C, 26.4°C, are are survival survival each each systems systems at at respectively). respectively). open, open, In In the the The The density density and and sand sand at at juvenile juvenile and and with with Growth Growth survival survival Harbor Harbor Harbor Harbor Harbor Harbor WORDS: WORDS: from from recirculating recirculating With With at at Mote, Mote, ala/us ala/us experiment at experiment at discharge discharge compare compare growout growout the the ftrst 1.3 ftrst systems. 1.3 shift systems. shift in aquaculture to in aquaculture An to bus An stocked sites, bus elevated stocked Branch, signiftcantly sites, day and elevated system. salinity, Branch, significantly growing day utilized and system. salinity, growing utilized overall stocking overall KEY stocking KEY Page 774 56th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
Crecimiento del Caracol Florida Fighting Conch, Stron/blls alatlls, en Sistemas de Recirculacion
Con el interes aumentado a Ia conservacion de agua y )a necesidad de reducir la descarga de aguas residuales de sistemas de producci6n de aquacul tura, hubo un cambia de sistemas que eran abierto, flujo - por sistemas de
circulacion produccion. En 200I I Ia Harbor Branch Oceanographic Instituion desarrollo la primera sistema por concha que es recirculante. Dos aspectos mas importantes de la aquaculture de concha es delennina la densidad de media y panlmelros de caUdad de agua en sistemas maduracion que ceden el indice de crecimiento mas nipido y la supervivencia mas alta. Un experimento fue conducido des del II de Marzo hasta el 3 de Junio de 2003 en dos sitios en Florida, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and Mote Marine Labora tory, camparar Ia supervivencia y el crecimiento de Ia concha juvenil en una nueva sistema de circulacion de maduracion. El sistema recirculante consislio en artesas raceways can una arena elevada. Los tres se reproducen Jas artesas raceway en cada sitio fueron abastecidas de Floridajuvenil (16.9 ± 1.9 Iongitud del concha) Iuchando contra Ia concha, Strombus olatus en 75 concha por los 2 el eI 50 Ja m (109 y 140 concha por reproducenIa en Harbor Branch and Mote, respecti de de of de de of de en de en an an los los una una that 7.9, 7.9, that cada 10 cada
En 5Omanas; have varnente). 12 concha creci6 18.8 mm 0 0.22 mmldiashave en Harbor show show in in conch conch use use Y Y super super 1960s, 1960s. Puerto Puerto artesas artesas en en por par Harbor Harbor Harbor 0 un Harbor
Branch y 22.5 mm 0.27 .mmldias en en Mote. Habia indice de crecimiento en Labora Labora facilites facilites longitud sitios 10ngitud sitios to to aspectos aspectos ceden ceden aquacul aquacul slocking slocking respecti respecti consistio densidad consistio densidad InstituioD Instituion de de de de I, I, the the en en las considerablementeJas mas rapido en Mote, que pareci6 ser debido a una densidad cultivar cultivar ppt, ppt, de de factors factors crecimiento crecimiento 1.9 sistemas 1.9 sistemas densidad densidad dos early experimento dos early experimento que que queen una una queen necesidad necesidad de media inferior en todas partes del experimento. Habia un precio de super Dos Dos Stron,bus Stronlbus 200 200 ± ± systems systems concha juveniI concha juvenil a a de de Mote. Mote, la been been la en en began began the the Un )a Un the Rama the 1a Rama Marine para Marine para of of respectivamente respectivamente
par vivencia total del 83% y del 70% en Harbor Branch y Mote;respectivamente. por precio precio In In 31.6 31.6 respectivamente. respectivamente. quality, quality, experiments experiments utilizados 75 75 utilizados - - y y ]a ]a of pH hecho un promedio 26.7'C, 31.6 ppt,of y 7.9,
Temperatura,mm/dias salinidad, y mm/dias has has and and (16.9 (16.9 un un aquaculture aquaculture 8.2, 8.2, 2003 2003 en en recirculante recirculante en en aha. alta. Institute Institute indice agua indice agua
respectivamente en Rama de Puerto, y 26.4'C, 34.9 ppl, y 8.2,since respectivamente since reproducen reproducen Mote Mote debido debido y Y concha concha Conch, Conch, fishery fishery Mote,' Mote,' producci6n producci6n flujo flujo water de de water many many agua agua 0.22 Ia La 1.3 and se and ense Mote. proporci6n de conversi6n de comida era en Rama de Puerto 1.3 1.3 la Ia de un un de Oceanographic Oceanographic maduracion maduracion y y 26.7°C~ 26.7°C, Some Some ser ser 0 00.22 mas mas detennina detennifla de de Habia and Habia and ppt, ppt, effluen.t. eftluen.t. Branch Branch sistemas sistemas de conditions de la conditions
recirculante. 2.2 en Mote. La nueva circulacion aquaculture sistemas utilizados en cada recirculante. y recirculating recirculating alatus alatus de de era era tres tres sistema sistema es es time, time, lunio Junio mm mm gigas, sitio tenia densidades de media 6ptimas y calidad de agua gigas, para cultivar la es es to to aquaculture aquaculture 34.9 34.9 Habia Habia Fisheries Fisheries biologists biologists bus include include EI abierto, EI abierto, S/rombus S/rombus de de Branch Branch Branch concha juvenil. Branch caliclad calidad Los Los pareci6 Recirculaci6n Recirculacion pareci6 that that press). press). sistemas sistemas to C, to Harbor Harbor Fighting Fighting 3 3 bus bus Floridajuvenil Floridajuvenil 18.8 18.8 que que culture culture D sistemas sistemas y y promedio promedio comida comida discharge discharge laboratories laboratories el el In In de de eran eran concha en concha en en en de de Institution conch Institution conch que que Strom Strombus Mote. Mote. de de PALABRAS CLAYES: Aquacultura, concha, Strombus aquaculture aquaculture conch conch systems systems de de un un 26.4 26.4°C, experimento. to to experimento. Since Since supervivencia sllpervivencia Strom concha, concha, Strom crecimiento crecimienro Harbor Harbor Harbor Harbor the the de de conservaci6n conservacion en y y en crecio creci6 que que interest interest hasta hasta Ia Ia agua agua elevada. concha elevada. concha Caribbean Caribbean Ia la el el optimal optimal en en del la del 1a Mote, Mote, 6ptimas optimas y ~ Florida y Florida ~ Spring Spring Marine Marine of of y y I maduracion. maduracion. 1 de de a a concha, concha, hecho hecho en en
INTRODUCTION captive par por captive the the and and 1994). conch~ 1994). conch, reduce reduce INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION de de la la Sistemas residuales Sistemas 70% 70% residuales arena arena reproducen reproducen concha Puerto, Puerto, concha abastecidas abastecidas 200 200 Marzo Marzo additions Conch aquaculture has been of interest to biologists since the early 1960s, additions been been circulacion circulacion of of partes partes pH pH conversi6n conversion .mmldias .mmldias sistemas sistemas 2000~ 2000, rapido media rapido media la la se se de de en en de de Gulf Gulf del del and and y En the Strombus gigas, to
when commercial queeny conch, fishery began show En Oceanographic flow-through Oceanographic flow-through una una aquaculture aquaculture Aquacultura, Aquacultura, de de calidad calidad nipido f'ipido has bas de de doom doom y y queen queen de systems. de systems. Caracol Caraeal aguas aguas rate rate 11 11 sistema par sistema por contra contra 0.27 signs of decline 0.27 (Appeldoom 1994). Since that time, many experiments have mas mas recent fueron fueroD recent la la toclas tocias nueva nueva de de can con 56th 56th 1994, 1994, aumentado aumentado 0 0 de de determine detennine Rama been conducted to determine Rama the optimal culture conditions of queen conch mas mas water water del del del del era era supervivencia supervivencia VES: VES: open, open, en en 83% 83% de de circulacion circulaci6n La La semanas; sitio semanas; sitio to to Branch Branch (Appel (Appel a/atlls, en alatlls, (Berg 1976, Davis 1994, 2000,en Spring In press). Some of the factors that more more la la mm mm cambia cambia concha concha de de des des growth growth salinidad, salinidad, del del growout growout 12 12 prim prim influence lhe growth rate of captive conch include water quality, slocking CLA CLA Davis Davis proporcion proporcion luchando from interes luchando from interes nutrition. nutrition. the the cada cada produccion. produccion. aquaculture aquaculture un un densidades densidades Mote. Mote. la la density, and nutrition. 140 140 raceways raceways En En commercial commercial descarga descarga the the 22.5 22.5 inferior inferior crecimiento crecimiento e1 of el of La La total conserve conserve total parametros panlmerros en en Harbor Harbor la la decline decline y Y and and y One the y more recent additions to conch aquaculture has been the use la la of of juvenil. juvenil. y y 1976, 1976, de de sistema sistema the the to to 774 774 of of en conducted en conducted hubo hubo comparar comparar tenia tenia importantes importantes One recirculating growout systems. Marine laboratories and aquaculture facilites One Con Con Conch Conch shifting concha) shifting concha) conducido conducido (I09 (l09 media media artesas artesas Mote. Mote. Crecimiento Crecimiento to 2
are shifting2 from open, flow-through systems recirculating systems in an 2.2 2.2 ALABRAS ALABRAS tory~ Page del del tory, media tura) Page media tura, indice circulacion desarrollo en raceway raceway m mas indice desarrollo circulacion considerablemente en fue de considerablemente fue nueva vamente). m reducir mas nueva reducir vamente). respectivamente de Branch concha concha (Berg respectivamente Florida, density~ P Branch vivencia influence P y Florida, en (Berg influence en been signs y vivencia been Temperatura, density, Temperatura, signs sitio are sitio when when are effort effort recirculating effort 10 conserve water and reduce the discharge effluent. In 200 I, Harhor recirculating Shawl, A. et al. GCFI:56 (2005) Page 775
Branch Oceanographic Institution developed the first recirculating conch aquaculture program to culture Florida fighting conch, S. alatus, and queen conch, S. gigas. The recirculating systems have proven to be sucessful however, there are still many growout parameters that need to be studied t~ improve growth, survival, and to lower culture costs (Davis and Shawl In press). The purpose of this study was to compare growth rate and survival of juvenile Florida fighting conch in recirculating systems at two Florida sites. The results from this experiment can be applied to growing other conch species such as queen conch.
MATERIALS AND METHODS The experiment was conducted from March II- June 3, 2003 at two sites: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (Harbor Branch) in Ft. Pierce, FL and Mote Marine Lahoratory (Mote) in Sarasota, FL. A recirculating growout system with an elevated sand suhstrate bottom was used at both sites. At Harbor Branch, the system consisted of three 2.5 m x 0.5 m fiberglass troughs, a 1.5 m diameter round fiberglass sump, and a 3/4 horsepower Haywood pump (see Spring In press). The Mote system consisted of three fiberglass troughs (2.4 m x 0.7 m), a sump, and a Y, horsepower pump. Approximately 5 em of crushed coral aragonite sand was placed on an elevated platform. The sand served as the biofilter for the system. The water used in the Harbor Branch system was natural sea water drawn from a saltwater well, and the water used in the Mote systems was fresh well water mixed with Instant OceanTM artificial sea salt The water entered each trough through spray bars. To aid in the removal of wastes, water also entered from beneath the sand substrate. Makeup water was added as necessary at no more than 10 % Exchange of total system volume per day. The systems at both sites were drained twice per month, to spray the sand clean and to scrub the troughs. Water quality parameters where measured throughout the experiment. Temperature was measured daily at both locations. Salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen (mg/L) were measured weekly at Harbor Branch and daily at Mote. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate were measured once every two a a t~ at at at to at of of of of In In At At an an no weeks at both sites. Calcium (mg/L as CaCO]) was measured threeno times at FL FL the the the the per per and and two 775 775 pH, pH, lwo of of well well data data sub sub sand sand each each shell shell sites. sites. sites: at sites: at scrub
Harbor Branch and once at Mote. scrub shell, shell, pump pump in in cm cm queen queen conch conch conch conch drawn drawn A A species species Florida entered and and entered Florida troughs troughs 5 5 troughs. times troughs, times to to growout Each of the three replicategrowout troughs were stocked with juvenile Florida the once once the two two The Shawl Shawl The measured measured each sites. each sites. Page Page sucessful, sucessful studied fresh fresh studied every every 109 109 and and systems systems Pierce, Pierce, others olhers survival fightingsurvival conch, cultured at HBOI, at 75 conch per m'. There were 109 conch Branch Branch at at also also conch conch water water and and Salinity, Salinity, entered entered Florida Florida be be for for be be conch conch three three chow chow was was and by and in the Harbor Branch troughs, and 140 conch per replicate in the per replicate by Ft. Ft. taken was taken was replicate replicate both both necessary The The necessary throughout throughout and and once once Haywood Haywood were were to to sea sea juvenile juvenile to 10 Mote troughs. At the beginning and termination of the experiment the shell in in 2003 two two fiberglass fiberglass at at water water alatus, alatus, as fiberglass as fiberglass koi koi clean clean used used water per water per measured. measured. was was other other empty empty 3,2003 3, recirculating Harbor recirculating length (mm) and total weight (g) of meat and shell were measured. A sub Harbor platfonn. platform. rate rate at at experiment m experiment m length length S. S. day. day. need need (Davis with with (Davis recirculating recirculating There There at sample 50 animals per replicate (150 total conch) were used for each data at
of an an replaced replaced systems systems Approximately Approximately three three used used locations. locations. The sand sand The natural natural measured measured were were A A the the 0.5 0.5 • • proven proven were were VIva. VIva, added added June June first first 2 point throughout the experimental time period. The shell length was measured 2 per per conch conch wastes, wastes. measured measured by by shell Branch) Branch) shell that that of of measured measured - - weight weight m m the the of of costs costs horsepower horsepower growing growing of to the nearest O.Imm twice per month, and the wet weight was taken once per of was was (2005) (2005) growth growth conch, conch, was was were were of of both was both was m x m x FL. FL. Mote Mote systems systems was was elevated elevated salt salt 11 11 the the 140 140 shell stocked sheH stocked to to have have The The weekly weekly pump. pump. per month (to the nearest 0.1 g). Mortalities, defined by an empty conch shell, per at at wet wet 3/4 3/4 were were conch) conch) an an 2.5 2.5 the the a sea a sea spray spray volume volume where were recorded and, when possible, these animals were replaced by others ofwhere a and and defined defined METHODS METHODS and and the the (Harbor (Harbor water water in in culture culture system system on on were were to to consisted consisted bottom similar size from the same batch bottom juveniles. March
of daily total March total daily animals animals fighting fighting removal eaeo]) CaCO) removal and and conch conch compare compare parameters parameters three three applied applied consisted consisted Sarasota, Sarasota, GCFI:56 GCFI:56 nitrate nitrate period. period. and and systems systems tennination The conch were fed a diet that consisted of Viva, koi chow and an tennination as as meat meat AND AND to to the the 75 75 used used of of measured measured in in be be developed system system from from (150 lower (150 lower artificial artificial recirculating recirculating these these al. al. troughs, troughs, horsepower horsepower and and that placed that juveniles. placed juveniles. of of in at in at Branch Branch time time month, month, system system sump, sump, and and Makeup Makeup troughs troughs Florida can Florida in can in to to ~ et et !h of of was was Institution Institution substrate substrate parameters parameters Mortalities. Mortalities, month. total month, total were were growout growout measured measured water water aid (g) aid (g) (mg/L (mgIL a a per per was was diet diet A. A. (Mote) (Mote) system. system. of of Mote Mote and and a a per nitrite, per nitrite, To To Branch Branch consisted consisted the HBOl, the HBO], Mote. Mote. g). Harbor g). Harbor replicate replicate batch was batch was and and sand sand Ocean'tM Ocean™ study study conch conch possible, possible, the the Institution Institution developed conducted conducted culture culture recirculating recirculating many at many at at at sand sand twice twice fiberglass fiberglass replicate replicate quality The quality The weight weight (mg/L) (mgIL) fed beginning beginning fed the the substrate. substrate. MATERIALS MATERIALS and and 0.1 0.1 per per Shawl, Shawl, to to for for Calcium Calcium this bars. this bars. twice twice experiment experiment experimental same experimental same was was in in still still when when system system sump, The sump, The Harbor Harbor the the once once Instant Instant of of survival, survival, total Laboratory total Laboratory a a three three sand sand Exchange Exchange round round the fighting fighting well, the the the well, were were this this elevated elevated the Oceanographic Oceanographic the Ammonia, Ammonia, are are At At drained drained the the Water cultured cultured Water spray spray and and press). used press). used oxygen oxygen siles. sites. and, nearest nearest and. % % aragonite aragonite conch. conch. animals animals the the m). m). O.lmrn O.lrnm the the an an and and with with biofilter biofilter in Temperature in Temperature program program In In from from from from 10 10 gigas. gigas. the the 50 50 of of were were there there Marine Marine 0.7 0.7 conch conch the the both both growth. growth, purpose purpose Florida Florida water experiment experiment water Oceanographic Oceanographic coral coral conch, Mote. conch, Mote. diameter diameter Branch with Branch with queen queen S. S. Branch, Branch, of of saltwater Branch Branch saltwater size size through (to through (to as (mm) as (rnm) at at mixed mixed nearest nearest troughs. troughs. than than at at throughout throughout m m a a beneath beneath m x recorded recorded m x sites sites as as Spring Spring The The results results dissolved The dissolved troughs. The troughs. The The The The Each Each Mote Mote replicate replicate the the 1.5 1.5 conch, conch, improve aquaculture Branch Harbor improve crushed aquaculture however. press). Branch Harbor however, crushed from from (2.4 such press). (see (2.4 from from such water trough trough The and and water a (see The served and and a served Harbor the Harbor experiment. fighting system length experiment. fighting both system to the both Harbor to more length daily Harbor daily were weeks more weeks were month sample sample month point Mote similar juvenile per point similar juvenile per Mote Page 776 56th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
alginate binder which is manufactured exclusively by Bonney, Laramore, and Hopkins at Harbor Branch. The conch food was weighed prior to each feeding, and the conch were fed to satiation. The total amount fed to each replicate was recorded for the duration of the experiment to detennine a feed conversion ratio (FCR). A t-test was run at the end of the experiment to determine jf there were statistical differences between sites. Both the length and weight measurements were transformed using a log transformation to normalize-the data.
RESULTS The initial shell length of the conch was 16.9 ± 1.9, and the final length was 35.7 ± 0.4 at Harhor Branch and 39.4 ± 1.5 at Mote (Figure I). The overall growth rates during the 12 week study were high at the two sites: 0.22 mm/day at Harbor Branch, and 0.27 mrnIday at Mote. The conch grew significantly faster at Mote (p < 0.0001) and the survival was higher at Harbor Branch (83 % compared to 70 % at Mote). The initial density in all replicates at each site was 75 conch/m'. The final density at Harbor Branch was 75 conch/m' (all dead conch were replaced), and the final stocking density at Mote was 55 conch/m' (not all dead conch were replaced). a Water quality parameters remaineda stable at both sites (Table I). Tem at at 75 75 and and and and was was was The was The feed feed 0.22 0.22 each each each each perature remained relatively constant throughout the experimental period, and FeR FeR were were grew grew Tem Tem (meat was (meat was length length a a grown grown Harbor Harbor Harbor Harbor Harbor Harbor to to was thereforewas did not appear to influence the growth rates (Figure 2). an to an to 1). 1). at replicates at at replicates at at at I). 1). density density sites: sites: in The initial wet weight of the conch wasin 0.4 ± 0.1 and 0.4 ± 0.0 at Harbor there there weight weight perio and shell) in the Harborthe Branch troughs was 5.2 0.1, and the final weight was the ± final final grown grown higher higher (Figure the (Figure the detennine detennine The The data. data. (Table (Table 1.3. 1.3. 2). 2). the the resulted resulted of 7.2 ± 0.8 in the Moteof troughs. At the end of the experiment, the conch grown 0.4 0.4 Harbor Harbor stocking to stocking to amount amount and and the the of of at at was was weight weight at Mote were significantly (p < 0.000 I) heavier that the conch grown at Harbor Institute Institute at at sites sites conch conch Mote Mote density density weighed and weighed and Harbor Harbor Bonney, Bonney, detennine determine and and 1.9, 1.9, Branch. total experimental total experimental final final which which (Figure (Figure at at and and Mote. Mote. high high weight weight at at to the to the ± ± by by The total amount food fed to all the replicates at Harbor Branch was 0.1 0.1 of of (FeR) (FeR) both both 0.1, 0.1, was was the the at at experiment, experiment, the the initial initial ± ± 1.5 1.5 survival survival The The 2,043 g, which resulted in a feed conversion ratio (FCR) 1.3. There was a replaced). of replaced). ± ± rates at rates at that that normalize-the normaliz~the fmal fmal experiment experiment were were 16.9 16.9 Fisheries Fisheries replicates replicates ± ± length length ratio ratio the total of 4,434 g fed to the conchthe in the Mote troughs, which resulted in an FeR the the 0.4 0.4 to to and and troughs, troughs, 5.2 The 5.2 The food food density density the the of were the were of the The (Table 2). The the of2.2 the was was stable 39.4 stable 39.4 and and study study was was mm/day rnrn/day of of growth growth of of experiment experiment was was heavier heavier exclusively exclusively Mote Mote end end 2). 2). final final throughout throughout satiation. satiation. conch conch Both all Both all the the Mote). Mote). conch conch the the and and conch conch Caribbean Caribbean the the week week the the 0.27 0.27 to to to to conversion conversion conch conch RESULTS RESULTS at at replaced), replaced), The The of of 0.0001) 0.0001) in in 12 troughs 12 troughs The The At At 0.0001) 0.0001) the the (Table (Table duration duration % remained dead % remained dead • • and and sites. sites. < < fed fed the the fed fed and 2 and 2 transformation transformation < < feed constant feed constant end end of of the the all all 70 70 (p were (p were the Branch of the Bnmch of a a influence influence (p (p conch conch log log Gulf Gulf manufactured manufactured to to food food the the in to in to were were Branch Branch a a for for (not (not is is the the of of troughs. troughs. at at 2 2 Mote Mote between between length length conchlm conch/m Branch. Branch. Branch, during Branch, during conch conch 56th 56th weight weight to to Harbor Harbor parameters at parameters at relatively relatively respectively respectively using using 75 75 run run conch conch appear appear at at (FeR). (FeR). Harbor Harbor Mote Mote which fed which shell fed shell resulted resulted wet wet rates rates dead dead compared compared amount amount recorded recorded g g significantly significantly the the 2). 2). concb/m concblm not not faster faster was was was was Harbor the Harbor the 0.4 0.4 Harbor Harbor the the Mote, Mote, % % ratio ratio quality quality (all (all 55 55 in in ± ± differences differences in in at at did did was was at at initial initial initial initial total total and and which remained which remained binder binder 2 site 2 site were were (83 (83 and and 4,434 4,434 growth growth t-test t-test (Table (Table g, g, 776 776 0.8 was 0.8 was transfonned transfonned of of 35.7 35.7 A The A The Water Water The The The The shell) shell) ± ± each each 2.2 2.2 Mote Mote Hopkins alginate replicate Page Hopkins conversion alginate feeding, replicate Page conversion at feeding, statistical at was therefore statistical was mmJday therefore overall and were 7.2 mm/day significantly Branch perature overall conchlm at 7.2 and were total significantly Branch Mote 2,043 perature conchlm at total Mote 2,043 of Branch of Branch. Branch Branch. Shawl, A. et al. GCFI:56 (2005) Page 777 g " ~" • ~ ;; • "'~ • ~ "~ • ~ • ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. • ~ • • N • N ~ ~ :': E ~ ~ F ~ ;; ~ :': .~ , ~ .e 0 E" ;: OJ ~ ~ ~ N ;; ~ :I:• ::;; ~ ,• FL FL ~ ~ E E 777 777 F t F = March ~ March " " :0 :s - - Page Page ] Pierce, Pierce, :: :: from from Ft. Ft. on on on in ..,. .,. .., .., N N ~ in curve '" '" '" :: curve 3) 3) ql~Ui'J1I1;HIS l.f) 10 - - ;;;: (rum) ;;;: n n growth growth sd, sd, Institution Institution ± ± (2005) (2005) from l"l Figure 1. Juvenile Florida fighting conch shell length growth curve March 0 length 11- June 3, 2003 at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Ft. Pierce, FL length (mean and Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL (mean + sd, n = 3) (mean shell shell FL FL GCFI:56 GCFI:56 l.f) N Oceanographic Oceanographic conch conch al. al. et et Sarasota, Sarasota, A. A. l l Branch Branch in in fighting fighting Shawl Shawl Harbor Harbor Florida Florida at at Laboratory Laboratory 2003 2003 Juvenile Juvenile 3, 3. Marine Marine 1. 1. June June Mote Mote Figure Figure 11- 11- and and Page 778 56th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Table 1. Water quality parameters during the experimental period, March 11 - June 3, 2003 (mean ± sd, n = sample size). Harbor Branch Mote Temp ("C) 26.7 ± 2.7 (85) 26.4 ± 1.0 (85) Salinity (ppt) 31.6 ± 1.3 (39) 34.9 ± 2.0 (85) pH 7.9±0.1 (39) 8.2 ± 0.1 (85) Dissolved Oxygen (mglL) 6.73 ± 0.41 (29) 6.2 ± 0.6 (85) Ammonia (mgIL) 0(6) 0(6) Nitrite (mgIL) 0(6) 1.4 ± 1.5 (5) Nitrate (mgIL) 2.2 ± 1.9 (6) 0.6 ± 1.3 (5) Ca+ Ion Concentration 784 ± 325.6 (3) 482 (1) (mgIL as CaCQ,) 2003 2003 (420) (420) (306) (30G) Florida Florida 3, 3, 2.2 2.2 6.8 6.8 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.8 420 306 306 420 0.08 0.08 4434 4434 Mote Mote ± ± ± ± (85) (BS) (85) (85) period, period, June June (5) (85) (5) (85) (85) (85) ~ . 7.2 7.2 0.4 - - 1.0 1.0 juvenile juvenile 2.0 2.0 0.6 0.6 0.1 1.3 0.1 1.3 ± ± Institute Institute ± ± (1) Table (1) 2. Weight gain and feed conversion ratio for juvenile Florida 11 11 ± ± ± ± ± ± for fighting conch during the experimentalfor period, March 11 - June 3, 2003 6.2 Mote Mote 6.2 1.4±1.5(5) 8.2 482 482 0.6 0(6) 34.9 0.6 0(6) 1.4±1.5(5) 34.9 8.2 26.4 26.4 size). size). (mean ± sd, n = sample size). (327) (327) 0.4 (327) (327) ratio ratio March March Branch Branch experimental experimental Fisheries Fisheries 1.3 1.3 4.8 4.8 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 327 327 327 Harbor Branch Mote327 0.06 0.06 2043 2043 ± ± ± ± the the- sample sample (29) (29) (3) (3) = = 0.4 0.4 5.2 5.2 period, period, Harbor Initial wet weight (g) Harbor 0.4 ± 0.1 (327) 0.4 ± 0.0 (420) (85) (85) (39) (39) n n (6) (39) (6) (39) Branch Branch 0.41 2.7 0.41 2.7 conversion conversion during during 1.3 1.3 sd, sd, 325.6 Final wet325.6 weight (9) 5.2 ± 0.1 (327) 7.2 ± 0.8 (306) ± 1.9 ± 0.1 ± 1.9 ± ± Caribbean ± Caribbean ± ± ± ± ± ± ± (6) feed feed 6.73 6.73 Total wet weight gained (g) 4.8 6.8 Harbor Harbor 7.9 784 7.9±O.1 2.2 2.2 31.6 0(6) 784 31.6 o 26.7 26.7 0(6) 0(6) and and experimental experimental (mean (mean and Rate of wet weight gain (g1day)and 0.06 0.08 size). size). Gulf Gulf parameters parameters the the (9) (g) (g/day) Initial no. of conch 327 (glday) 420 gain gain 2003 (g) (g) 56th 56th 3,2003 3, gain gain (mg/L) (mg/L) quality quality sample sample ratio ratio (g) Final no. of conch (g) gained 327 gained 306 during during (g) (9) food food = = n n of of June June Weight Weight conch conch weight weight conch 4434conch - - Total amount of food (g) 2043 Water Water Oxygen Oxygen (mgIL) (mgIL) weight weight sd, sd, weight weight of of weight Cac~) weight Cac~) of of conch conch Concentration Concentration 2. 2. (ppt) (ppt) wet wet 11 ± 11 ± 1. 1. (mgIL) (mgJL) (mgIL) (mgJL) as as (DC) (DC) no. no. wet wet conversion Feed ratio conversion