Growth performance of green mussels (Perna viridis Linnaeus, 1758) culturing artificially on rafts at Ambra creek coastal belt of Arabian Sea in Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Perna viridis is a fast growing native mussel species occurring in beaches and creeks at the coastal belt of Sindh in Pakistan. 10 pilot rafts were installed for artificial cultivation of green mussel in which growth performance was examined and found satisfactory. Initial size of juveniles at the time of stocking during April was 1.2 to 2.0 cm length and weight 0.179 to 0.232g. After interval of 3 to 4 months the growth size length and weight was measured as 2.5 to 3.2cm and 0.638 to 1.555g, subsequently the growth of the crop was observed 3.9 to 5.1 cm and 2.239 to 2.589g in December, then in March, length of the shells were in ranging from 6.6 to 7.8cm and 24.735 to 26.324g, afterward the growth rates in size between 8.8 to 10.1cm and weight 39.762 to 44.83g of culturable green mussels were found satisfactory in July that may be due to high temperature ranges at the Ambra creek and finally at the time of harvesting the size length and weight were recorded between 11.0 to 12.2 cm and 50.21 to 53.358g respectively. Results of pilot rafts indicated that green mussel can be cultured commonly in the creeks through the rafts method.