Scope for growth of the oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein, 1951) in effluents from an intensive white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei farm

An in situ study was carried out in the effluent of an intensive shrimp farm in southern Sinaloa, México, to analyze the scope for growth of the pleasure oyster, Crassostrea corteziensis. Oysters were collected from a wild population, placed in Nestier trays, and submerged in the farm effluent. The oysters were sampled on days 41, 54, 70, and 91 of the 104-day shrimp culture cycle. The average temperatures during the samplings varied 26-34°C, and salinity ranged 15-22 psu. The seston concentration was 51-71 mg/l with a high proportion of organic matter (51-66%). The average clearance rates of the C. corteziensis were 0.58-1.31 l/h/g and average filtration rates were 26-76 mg/h/g. Assimilation efficiency varied 0.4-0.79. Under the experimental conditions, the scope for growth of C. corteziensis was positive and ranged 25-340 J/h/g. On this basis, we conclude that this bivalve should be studied for use in integrated aquaculture systems, with farm effluents as a feed source.