Growth and Survival of Anadara inaequivalvis (Bruguiere, 1789) in Sufa Lagoon, Izmir, Turkey

The growth and survival of 5, 7, 9, and 11-mm juvenile blood cockle (Anadara inaequivalvis) cultured in suspended nets in Sufa Lagoon, Izmir, Turkey, were investigated. Shell length, width, and thickness and total weight were measured monthly during May 2007-May 2008. Temperature was measured every 6 h. Salinity, chlorophyll a, particulate organic matter, particulate inorganic matter, and total particulate matter were followed every two weeks. Mean increases were 16.68 and 13.46 mm and 3.62 and 5.74 g for small and large spat, respectively. Length increased significantly faster in small cockle than in large cockle (p < 0.05). Survival was 65% and 100% in small and large cockles, respectively (p < 0.05). Von Bertalanffy growth parameters L infinity (27 mm) and k (0.28/month) showed that growth performance (phi' = 3.22) was greater than for other species in the natural population. Slope b from the length-weight relationship was 3.098 +/- 0.115, indicating significantly better allometric growth (p <= 0.05). Results indicate that A. inaequivalvis is a good candidate for suspended aquaculture in the Sufa Lagoon, Turkey.