Effects of Stocking Density on Growth Performance of Thai Abalone, Haliotis asinina, Linnaeus 1758, Reared Under a Semiclosed Recirculating Land-Based System

ABSTRACT The effect of stocking density on growth performance of Thai abalone, Haliotis asinina, Linnaeus 1758, was investigated over an 8-mo period (July 2008 to March 2009). A semiclosed recirculating land-based system was used with stocking densities of 368, 735, and 1,100 individuals/m2. Each stocking density had 3 replicates. An artificial diet, modified from a shrimp commercial diet, was used throughout this experiment. In July 2008, initial sizes of abalone (mean shell length (SL) ± SE) were not statistically different, with values of 1.28 ± 0.0062, 1.28 ± 0.0131, and 1.30 ± 0.0339 cm for 368, 735, and 1,100 individuals/m2, respectively (P > 0.05). After 8 mo, SLs were significantly different, with values of 3.63 ± 0.092, 3.25 ± 0.1173, and 3.05 ± 0.0985 cm for the 3 stocking densities. As the stocking density increased, mean specific growth rates, measured by the percent increase in SL during the 8-mo period, decreased, with values (mean ± SD) of 1.97 ± 0.0495, 1.66 ± 0.1595, and 1.53 ± 0.0544. Th...