The Effect of Water Quality and Phytoplankton Density on the Growth of White-throated Oysters

Abstract (EN)

Water quality: salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), phytoplankton density, and levels of ammonia and nitrites were monitored over four months at three oyster growing sites on the coast of Trang, Thailand. When the results were compared to measured average growth rates it was found that a combination of low salinity, low phytoplankton density and higher than recommended levels of ammonia and nitrites, were associated with a reduced rate of growth of the tropical oyster Crassostrea belcheri.