Sea Anemone <i>Aiptasiomorpha minuta</i> (Verrill, 1867) as a Possible Agent to Control Biofouling in Oyster Culture and the Optimal Conditions for Its Mass Rearing under Laboratory Conditions

oleh: Mary Grace Sedanza, Hee-Jin Kim, Cyril Glenn Satuito

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-10-01

Deskripsi

The potential use of the sea anemone <i>Aiptasiomorpha minuta</i> as an agent for controlling biofouling on cultured oysters and the optimum culture conditions for its mass culture were evaluated. Field experiments showed that nineteen species (eight phyla), including two seaweed species, sponges, hydroids, bryozoans, mollusk/bivalve species, barnacles, and tunicates were found as biofouling assemblages on the oyster collectors. The ability of <i>A. minuta</i> to accumulate biomass on oyster collectors, thus, minimizing colonization by problem species; was also demonstrated to promote better oyster growth, condition index, and survival. Favorable mass culture conditions of <i>A. minuta</i> in laboratory trials were found at 28 °C, fed with <i>Artemia salina</i> (1000 individuals/day), and at 23 psu for the optimum temperatures, diet regimen, and salinity, respectively. These mass culture conditions could be useful for the purpose of producing enough biomass for attaching the sea anemones, <i>A. minuta</i>, to oyster collectors. The use of <i>A. minuta</i> could be a preventive strategy against biofouling that may be useful for oyster farmers; it is safe from the viewpoint of food hygiene, and is also environment-friendly.