Abstract

A freshwater mussel (Anodonta sp.) was inadvertently introduced during fish importations to the Dominican Republic in the 1980’s. being later established as part of the country aquatic fauna. An artisanal fishery for this mussel now exists. The body of the animal is used for food and he shells are in demand by the handcraft industry. AN investigation was proposed to determine the feasibility of polyculture of this mussel placed in cages at 9 different size levels (range 2.0 - 6.5 cm, by 0.5 cm increments) and three relative stocking rates (86, 173,346/m2) with the freshwater prawn Macrobrachiium rosenbergií, stocked at 5/m2, Results from three trials showed no negative effects on the prawn. Final average prawn lengths, weights and mnotilities in experimental and control (no mussel) ponds and the end of a four month culture period were 13.34 cm, 26.9g,55.3% vs. 13.54 cm, 29.14 g, 45.7%, respectively. Prawn length and weight frequency distribution in the experimental ponds indicated a moderate shift toward mean values. Final averga mussel length, weight and mortality for the second smallest size (range 2.5 - 2.99 cm) was 5.40 cm, 18.54 g, and 4% respectively. Adequate for commercial purposes. Length growth rate decreased as the animal got older but weight growth rate was maintained at 0.127 (s.d. 0.018) g/day for all size classes. A significant relationship W=.1040 L 3.0833 (n=44.314) was noted between shell length and weight. Chamical parameters did not show statistical differences between control and experimental ponds. This may indicate either lower numbers of mussels regarding pond carrying capacity or slow filtration rate, both of which opens the possibility for increased mussel stocking rates.

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