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Culture of Pearl in Freshwater Mussels (lamellidens Marginalis Lamarck)

M.I. Miah
Department of Fisheries Management, BAU

M.A. Islam
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

J.K. Saha
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

S.M. Rahmatullah
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

A.S.M.K Rahman
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A pond trail on pearl culture in freshwater mussels, Lamellidens marginalis was carried out for one year in an artificial perennial pond. Four types of foreign particles of indigenous sources, sand, stone, fish eyeball and beads of artificial pearl nucleus were used as nucleus for pearl production. Among the nuclei inserted mussel highest survival rate (72%) was recorded for stone and lowest survival rate (50%) for artificial pearl by nucleus implantation. Highest pearl production rate (%) was recorded for the insertion of stone and lowest for the sand. All nuclei inserted mussel produced pearl accept the mussel which was inserted beads of pearl nucleus for pearl formation. Growth rate (length and weight) was found higher for uninserted mussel than nuclei inserted mussels.

Keywords: L. marginalis, Pearl culture, Mussels

Location: Department of Aquaculture and Management, BAU

Start Date: 00-00-1999

End Date: 00-00-1999

Program Area: Resource Development and Management

Commodity: Aquatic animal

Objectives:

To study the pearl culture system in a freshwater mussel L. marginalis using different indigenous nucleus materials.

Methodology:

Experimental pond - The experimental pond was about 200 m²and the sources of water were rainfall and ground water from deep-tubewell. The pond was completely independent with an outlet on the western side to discharge excess rainwater. The average water depth of the pond varied from 1.2-1.6 meter. The bottom mud of the pond was silty and muddy with a depth ranged from 15-22 cm. Pond management - The pond was fertilized with different chemical fertilizers. Urea was applied at the rate of 100 g/40m² and triple super phosphate at 50 g/40m² in the months from March to October. Lime was applied at the rate of 500 g/40m². Cage materials - The cages of 100 cm x 100 cm x 90 cm (length, breadth and height) were made of steel framework with 1.5 cm mesh sized nylon netting. The cages were closed on all sides by net except the top. Cages were placed in the experimental pond at a water depth of 1 meter. Fifty mussels were kept in each cage. Selection of foreign particles as nucleus for insertion - Different foreign particles of indigenous sources (1-2 mm diameter) like sand particles, stone (small pebbles), beads of pearl nucleus and dried eyeballs of small fishes were used as nucleus. To manage eyeballs of fishes, small fishes were boiled for half an hour and eyeballs (1-2 mm) were pressed out from soften head and kept at freezer after washing them at 5% alcohol. Collection of the mussels - Bivalve mussels (Lamellidens marginalis) were collected on from the experimental pond, adjacent to the Department of Aquaculture and Management, BAU. These mussels were collected by hand from different depths ranging from 0.6 m to 1.5 m. The mussels were kept in the container and transferred to the laboratory immediately. Insertion of foreign particles - The large mussels having 8.9 to 12.2 cm in length and 84.5 to 149.6 gin weight were sorted out in the laboratory. Weight and length (L: greatest dimension along the anteroposterior axis) of every specimen was recorded on 1994 and kept for 2 days in the aquaria filled with pond water for conditioning. After 2 days, mussels were transferred in a tray from aquaria and washed in 40% alcohol. Sands and stones were placed at the end of a hypodermic injection needle and inserted them into the epithelial layer at the right side and middle position of the mantle by opening the valve of the mussels with the help of knife and sharpended bamboo pegs. With the help of knife, the valve was first made open and a bamboo peg was inserted to keep the gap wide open. The gap of about 0.5 cm to 1 cm was made open between the shells. Sands and stones were pushed in a proper position by passing a platinum wire through the hole of the needle. Fish eyeball and beads of pearl nucleus were placed into the proper place with the help of forceps. Pearl production - After insertion of the foreign particles, mussels were than transferred to the cages placed at the experimental pond. Fifty mussels were kept in each cage with two replication for each different nuclei used. Besides inserted mussels, uninserted mussels were also kept in the cages at same density and replication. Mortality rate were recorded at every four months of intervals. Mussels were finally harvested from the cages after 12 months of the experiment and transferred to the laboratory. Mussels were killed to observe the conditions of pearl development. To determine the survival rate of mussels, every individual of each cage was counted for the number of alive mussel. Any mussel having its valve open or having the smell of decomposition was treated as a dead one. On the following sampling date every alive individual in each cage was again counted for the number of alive mussel in the same way. Sampling was done at every four months of intervals. The survival rate of each cage in each sampling was expressed in percentage and was calculated

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Fish. Res., 4(1): 57-61, 2000

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Among the nuclei inserted mussel highest survival rate (72%) was recorded for stone and lowest survival rate (50%) for artificial pearl by nucleus implantation. Highest pearl production rate (%) was recorded for the insertion of stone and lowest for the sand. All nuclei inserted mussel produced pearl accept the mussel which was inserted beads of pearl nucleus for pearl formation. Growth rate (length and weight) was found higher for uninserted mussel than nuclei inserted mussels.

Knowledge Management: Journal