Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2012, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (4): 124-128.doi: 10.11978/j.issn.1009-5470.2012.04.017cstr: 32234.14.j.issn.1009-5470.2012.04.017

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Effects of shell fouling on the growth and survival of abalone Haliotis discus hannai

WANG Chun-zhong1, YAN Tao2, ZHANG Jian-ming1, CAO Wen-hao2   

  1. 1. Putian Institute of Aquaculture Science of Fujian Province, Putian 351100, China; 
    2. South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
  • Received:2011-09-28 Revised:2011-11-01 Online:2012-10-22 Published:2012-10-24

Abstract:

The effects of shell fouling on the growth and survival of the abalone Haliotis discus hannai from November 2010 to April 2011 in the Pinghai Bay, Fujiang province was studied. A total of six groups were prepared, one control and five treatments (umbo region fouled, ventral edge fouled, umbo region fouling removed, ventral edge fouling removed and shell fouling removed). The results showed that the major fouling species colonizing on the abalone shell were acorn barnacles Balanus reticulatus and B. trigonus, oyster Alectryonella plicatula and mussel Perna viridis. On the survival rate of the abalone, there was no significant difference between the control and treatment groups. A negative effect on the shell length growth was observed after fouling was removed for 50 days. The growth rates including shell length and weight of the abalone with the ventral edge fouled were lower than those with fouling removed, which may be due to the fact that the open respiratory pores near the shell's outer edge were covered by fouling organisms and the normal respiratory process was hindered.

Key words: fouling organisms, abalone, growth, survival

CLC Number: 

  • S944.4+5