Effects of culture temperature and salinity on growth and reproduction of the polychaete Dendronereis chipolini

Abstract

The study aimed to find out the suitable temperature and salinity for growth and reproduction of the polychaete Dendronereis chipolini to serve as a basic for mass culture. The study was conducted with two experiments designed in a 70L tank system with a bottom area of 40x50cm in which the polychaete (0.9±0.2 cm in length) were stocked at 100 inds/tank for 180 days. In the first experiment, four different temperature levels were tested including 28, 30, 32 and 34℃. The second experiment was set up with four salinity levels including 15, 20, 25, and 30‰. All treatments were designed with 3 replicates. The findings of the first experiment showed that the polychaete performed better in terms of body length and weight at 30℃. Besides, the survival rate (28.3%) of the polychaete in 30℃ was higher than that of the others but no significant difference. The fecundity of the polychaete was highest in 30℃ with 108,918 eggs. In the second experiment, the fastest growth was recorded for those reared in 20‰. In addition, the survival rate of polychaete in 20‰ was greater than that of the others but there was insignificant difference (p>0.05). Fecundity in 25‰ was highest with 112,740 eggs followed by 20‰, 103,891 eggs. Overall, results of this study indicated polychaete Dendronereis chipolini have the better growth and reproduction at 30°C and 20‰.