Inland alkaline brackish water aquaculture of juvenile razor clam: Survival, growth, physiology and immune responses

• Main Authors: Maoxiao Peng, Zhi Li, Xiaojun Liu, Donghong Niu, Jiale Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-11-01
• Series: Aquaculture Reports
• Subjects: Sinonovacula constricta; Survival; Growth; Enzyme activity; Immune responses; Aquaculture
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352513420305536

In this study, we investigated rearing and breeding razor clam (Sinonovacula constricta) in inland alkaline brackish water. During 45 days of the experiment in candidate target inland area brackish water (TBW), survival, growth, enzyme activity and immune responses were analysed. The results showed that shell length and weight were significantly inhibited in the TBW group (p <0.001). Although the cumulative mortality was 81.479 ± 7.028 (p < 0.001) at 15 days, it increased slowly to 92.915 ± 2.271 (p < 0.001) at 45 days. The enzyme activities of Na+/K+-ATPase, aspartate aminotransferase and superoxide dismutase peaked at 15 days, and juvenile S. constricta (JSC) may engaged in partial anaerobic metabolism or damage to gill tissue, which may explain the high mortality rate at this time. Additionally, the phagocytic ability of haemocytes was inhibited (p < 0.001), but the metabolic activity was enhanced (p < 0.001). This implies that 15 days was the peak of TBW stress, and stress gradually decreased by days 30 and 45. TBW affected metabolism, osmotic regulation, and immune responses. There was an independent ionic interaction perhaps effect on JSC, primarily through Na+/K+ rate. Approximately 7 % of animals adapted successfully to TBW after 45 days. In summary, S. constricta has a great potential in further anti-TBW conditions selective breeding research.