Hello Mohd Zharif Ramli,

I can tell you from my personal experience in keeping Mytilus spp in tanks that the water needs to be aged prior to the introduction of any filter feeding bivalves. The more established the nitrogen cycle the greater chance they have of settling fast. Ensure that there is a good circulation in the tank and there are planktonic flora and fauna in there. If your filtration system is running all day long then its best to switch them off for some periods of time per day. The air stones or power heads can be a better option or even sponge filters. The substrate needs to be on the finer side, mixture of soil and sand is preferable or finer sand works well too. Maintenance of the pH is quintessential and that too on the harder side, especially for the larvae. They don't tolerate cold very effectively and thus considerable fluctuation in ambient temperature is a big NO. Provision of hard surfaces help the larvae settle against a strong circulation. The toxicity of the materials used to make the rearing tanks also play a great role in larval mortality. Epoxy paints or inert vinyl coatings can be of great help instead of the fiberglass coatings. The rearing tank preferably be round with conical bottoms to aid to the free swimming nature of the veliger stage. Direct sunlight should be avoided and ventilation to prevent build up of heat is also needed. Prior to stocking of any larvae or eggs or even adults, all the holding pens or the tanks should be surface sterilized to prevent any unwanted microbial infections. The filter inlets should be covered with fine bolting silk or inert nylon mesh to prevent the introduction of various predatory snails or other animals that can and will feed of the juvenile/adult and larval clams.

I hope this helps you and wish you success.

With regards,

Dr. Abhishek Mukherjee

Dear Mohd,

Try to keep constant temperature (20-21ºC), smooth and constant aeration and most important, food doses according to the species preferences. Once they reach juvenile stage, add some enriched zooplankton (nauplii), completing the diet.

Good luck!