Green mussel (Perna viridis) culture in recirculating aquaculture system: A performance evaluation from Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

This research assesses the growth performance of green mussels, Perna viridis, cultivated in a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Mussels were cultivated under three distinct treatments (T1, T2, and T3), with variations in key environmental parameters recorded from stocking to harvesting. T2 demonstrated the greatest ultimate weight (55.55±0.21 g), length (10.45±0.10 cm), and width (3.51±0.06 cm), followed by T1, while T3 revealed the least growth performance (50.5±0.09 g, 9.07±0.06 cm, and 3.59±0.06 cm, respectively). The water quality parameters remained within an acceptable range, with temperatures ranging from 26.9±0.59 to 32.2±0.83°C, pH levels varying between 7.10±1.16 and 7.92±2.75, and dissolved oxygen levels ranging from 4.62±0.28 to 5.31±0.31 ppm. Ammonia and nitrite concentrations were also lowest in T2 (0.01±0.01 mg/L and 0.05±0.02 mg/L, respectively), suggesting better water quality management. The findings indicate that RAS provides a controlled environment conducive to mussel growth, with T2 conditions being the most optimal. This research highlights the practicality of incorporating RAS into green mussel cultivation as a viable alternative to traditional methods in Bangladesh.