Development, growth and survival of larvae of the fighting conch Strombus pugilis L. (Mollusca, Gastropoda) in the laboratory

The development, growth and survival of Strombus pugilis (Linne, 1758) larv ae were studied over a period of 31 d in laboratory culture. Experiments we re conducted at 29 degrees +/- 1 degrees C. Veligers were reared at 200 lar vae L-1 in 4-L containers. Larvae were fed with the algae Tetraselmis sueci ca at 1000 cells L-1. S. pugilis larvae have 1.5 whorls at hatching, the ve ligers are competent for metamorphosis in 30 to 31 d. Nineteen development characteristics are described from hatching to settlement. Based on chronol ogical appearance and dissapearance of the characteristics, seven developme nt stages are proposed. Average size at hatching was 212 +/- 8.03 mu m. Lar val growth averaged 26.16 mu m d(-1). Mean shell length of 997 +/- 18.12 mu m and maximum shell length of 1022 mu m were reached 31 d after hatching. Survival ranged from 20.50 to 22.25% for three replicates. Results of this study are compared with descriptions of larvae from the literature of the f our most abundant Strombus spp. Further studies are needed before the feasi bility of S. pugilis larvae culture can be adequately ascertained.