Effect of photoperiod and feeding schedule on growth and survival of larvae of the fighting conch Strombus pugilis Linné, 1758 (Mollusca, Gastropoda)

The combined influence of feeding schedule and photoperiod on fighting conch, Strombus pugilis (Linné, 1758) larvae growth and survival was studied using two feeding schedules (12 h and 24 h with food) and three photoperiods (0 h light, 12 h light and 24 h light). This effect of feeding and photoperiods was tested in three months (May, June and July). Shell length was measured every two days to establish growth for each treatment. For the three experiments, continuous darkness and feeding were advantageous for larvae growth with the higher growth rate (42 μm d− 1) while continuous light and feeding had a negative effect on growth (29 μm d− 1) and survival (13%). However the highest survival (44%) was obtained in 12 h light and 24 h feeding.