Effect of physicochemical parameters and phytoplankton composition on growth performance of green mussel (perna viridis) in ambong bay and marudu bay, sabah, malaysia
This study was conducted to understand the effect of physicochemical parameters and phytoplankton density on the growth performance of green mussel, Perna viridis in Marudu Bay and Ambong Bay, Sabah, Malaysia. Physicochemical parameters recorded among stations were not significantly different (p>0.05), except that the river mouth station had slightly lower salinity, pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen. The phytoplankton community at the river mouth station was dominated by Pleurosigma sp., Thalassionema sp. and Coscinodiscus sp., while coastal and open sea stations were dominated by Thalassionema sp., Prorocentrum sp. and Chaetoceros sp. Mussels cultured in the river mouth station attained the highest mean meat yield (28.67%) but also showed the highest cumulative mortality (6.48%). The favorable meat yield and condition index of the mussels cultured at the river mouth station could be due to availability of favourable food items such as Coscinodiscus sp. and Thalassionema sp. However, mussels cultured in the river mouth recorded highest cumulative mortality. In conclusion, places with higher concentration of phytoplankton especially digestible diatoms can be good sites for green mussel farming. In contrast, places which are known to have high turbidity, low salinity and low dissolved oxygen, and recurrent of harmful algal blooms should be avoided. Hence, a thorough study is necessary to identify specific areas within the bays that conform to the site selection criteria suggested in this study before a large scale green mussel farming operation can be established