Effects of stocking density and water exchange regimes on growth and survival of juvenile spotted babylon, Babylona areolata (Link), cultured in experimental earthen ponds

摘要

The growth and survival of juvenile spotted babylon, Babylonia areolata, were determined at five stocking densities (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 snails mpo) and three water exchange regimes (7-, 15- and 21-day intervals) in experimental earthen pondsover a 6-month experimental period. The results showed that the growth of spotted babylons was not significantly different among any density treatments (P<0.05). At the end of the experiment, the average growth rates in body weights were 0.59, 0.59, 0.58, 0.42 and 0.41 g monthp# respectively. Growth was significantly different among the different water-exchange treatments (P<0.05). The higher body-weight gains were observed in snails held at water exchanges of 7- and 15-day intervals, when compared with those held at water exchange of 30-day intervals. At the end of the experiment, average body-weight gains were 4.22, 3.67 and 2.68 g for snails held in water-exchange treatments of 7-, 15- and 30-day intervals respectively. This study recommended thatstocking densities [less-than or equal to]300 snails mpo and water exchange of 7-15-day intervals are suitable for cultured B. areolata juveniles in earthen pond.