THE PERFORMANCE OF NATIVE DUCK AND FRESHWATER MUSSELS REARED IN CONCRETE POND SYSTEM

Abstract

The present study investigated the performance of Duck mussels and freshwater mussels reared in a concrete pond system. The study also identified appropriate host fish species for completing a unique reproductive cycle of the native mussels to carry glochidia during the larval stage. A total of 1200 numbers of healthy mussels – 600 each Duck mussels and freshwater mussels were stocked in the captive condition with suitable physicochemical parameters like water movement, water exchange, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH. Both duck mussels and freshwater mussels were fed on natural productivity integrated with native fish species as the treatment. Mussels were provided plant-based substrate to derive natural food through a natural weathering process limiting an external feed supplementation on a trial and error basis. Variables such as total body weight, shell length, shell height, shell depth, survival rate, and host fish species were assessed. Growth indices data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 through a t-test to compare the various performance. The present study revealed that freshwater mussels had better growth (ADG = 0.23) and survival rate than Duck mussels (ADG = 0.07). The latter species also exhibited satisfactory growth performance under concrete pond settings. Duck mussels and freshwater mussels attained 32.69 ± 12.07g and 112.77 ± 33.67g, respectively after six months of the culture period. Both mussels had host fish species compatibility with native fishes such as Barna baril (Barilius barna), zebrafish or zebra danio (Danio rerio) and Ticto barb (pethia ticto) found in the Southern River system. It is evident from 90% survival rates that natural productivity adequately enabled growth performance and natural propagation. Considering the growth performance, natural propagation efficiency, and promising survival rate of the current findings, both freshwater and duck mussels qualify for food production.