Adaptation of the Chinese cyclina (<em>Cyclina sinensis</em>) to unconventional uubstrate materials: Insights from growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and aquaculture water quality monitoring

Abstract

Although bivalve factory farming is a promising aquaculture model, traditional mud and sand substrates are problematic due to their difficulty in cleaning and their potential to degrade water quality over time. The goal of this study was to evaluate the practicality of three new materials (quartz sand, glass balls, and shell powder) as substrates for long-term farming of the Chinese cyclina (Cyclina sinensis) by assessing changes in water quality and physiological and biochemical indicators of the clams. The concentrations of total phosphorous, total nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen in the culture water of the shell powder substrate were significantly lower than those of the silt (control), glass ball, and quartz sand groups (P < 0.05). The survival rate of clams in the shell powder group was the lowest（P < 0.05). No significant difference in survival was detected among the silt, glass ball, or quartz sand groups (P > 0.05). The body weight of the shell powder group reached 3.63 ± 0.15 g and was significantly higher than those of the other groups (P < 0.05). The total antioxidant capacity of the shell powder group