Effect of Microalgal Diets on Sunray Venus Clam (Macrocallista nimbosa) Production and Fatty Acid Profile

The sunray venus (sunray) clam, Macrocallista nimbosa, is an alternative clam species reared in hard hatcheries Florida. Current feeding practices follow those used for culture. This study aimed to identify whether a bi-algal Tisochrysis lutea and Chaetoceros neogracile diet was optimal post-set clams or other microalgal dietary combinations could improve production. Six bi-, tri-, tetra-algal consisting of four microalgae (Tisochrysis lutea, Diacronema lutheri, neogracile, Thalassiosira weissflogii) were fed 6 weeks; the growth, survival, fatty acid profiles evaluated. Clams equal proportions T. D. C. weissflogii had higher while survival. poorest-performing consisted solely diatoms. A contrasting polyunsaturated (PUFA) profile found flagellate- diatom-only diets. flagellate percentage docosahexaenoic (DHA) but lower (n-6) PUFA, whereas diatom arachidonic (ARA) eicosapentaenoic (EPA) DHA. percentages similar neither very high nor low remaining treatments. results this show that can be successfully produced when typical diet, they indicate growth may accelerated by addition species.