Effect of salinity on hatching, larval growth, survival and settling in the tropical oyster Crassostrea belcheri (Sowerby)

The effects of salinity (0-30 p.p.t.) on egg development, growth and survival of D-larvae to the plantigrade stage as well as settling in Crassostrea belcheri were studied, Eggs were able to develop into D-larvae from 12 p.p.t. to 30 p.p.t. salinity, Optimum development of eggs to D-larvae occurred at salinities between 24 and 30 p.p.t. At these salinities, survival exceeded 75%. D-larvae were able to survive to the settling stage when cultured in salinities from 12 to 30 p.p.t., with the best survival occurring between 12 and 24 p.p.t. (20.3-22.6%), At 18 p.p.t. salinity, first settling occurred on the 17th day compared with the 19th day for larvae cultured at 12 and 24 p.p.t., and the 23rd day for those cultured at 30 p.p.t. Optimum settling occurred at salinities between 12 and 18 p.p.t.