Growth and Survival of Juvenile Freshwater Mussel,Chamberlainia hainesiana (Lea, 1856), at Three Densities in the Natural Reservoir and River Environments,Thailand

The effects of location and density on the growth and survival of juvenile freshwater pearl mussel, Chamberlainia hainesiana, 150–360 d after metamorphosis were investigated to determine the optimal ranges for commercial farming in Thailand. Juveniles were reared outdoors in two locations (the Mae Klong Reservoir and the Khwae Yai River, Kanchanaburi Province). Three density levels (25, 50, and 100 mussels/basket) were established at each location, with three replicates per density level. Phytoplankton from the water column in the natural habitats served as feed; no supplemental feed was provided. The mussels cultured in the reservoir had significantly higher growth rates than those cultured in the river (P < 0.01). The density level of 25 mussels/basket exhibited the highest average growth rates (in weight, length, height, and width per day). The density levels of 25 and 50 mussels/basket did not show significant differences in growth from each other (P > 0.05), but both showed significant differences in growth from the density level of 100 mussels/basket (P < 0.01).