Compensatory growth in Nodipecten nodosus scallops farmed in a tropical region (Sao Paulo state, southeastern Brazil)

Abstract

This work aimed to assess the occurrence of compensatory growth in Nodipecten nodosus farmed in Caraguatatuba, Brazil, during intermediate phase at the densities of 50 (control), 800, 1600 and 3200 m−2. Subsequently the densities were reduced to 50 m−2 for the growout phase, in which each treatment consisted of scallops originating from the same density used during the intermediate phase, with mean height equal to the average recorded in each density. The treatments were named according to the original density (T50, T800, T1600 and T3200). At the end of the intermediate phase, height, survival and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly higher for the density of 50 m−2. After the growout phase, height was higher in T50, but the total SGR and increase in height were lower. Survivals, adductor muscle dry weight, total dry weight and condition index did not differ significantly. In addition, during the intermediate phase, SGR was higher in scallops at 50 m−2, but, at the beginning of the growout phase, SGR decreased in T50 scallops and increased in those of the other treatments. The results indicated the occurrence of compensatory growth in N. nodosus, which would allow increasing stocking densities in the intermediate phase.