A Study on the Survival of Mollusca (Meretrix meretrix Roding) in the Laboratory Environment

An experiment was conducted to determine the temporal survival of mature Meretrix meretrix in different laboratory environment within 30 days continuously. Three kinds of saltwater were used namely synthetic, natural and filtered saltwater. Synthetic saltwater were prepared in laboratory, while natural saltwater were taken directly from the Likas estuary of Sabah. As for filtered saltwater, it originated from natural saltwater which has been filtered for aquaculture use. The experiment using synthetic saltwater has resulted that the specimens only survive within 20 days. Meanwhile, the experiments using natural and filtered saltwater have resulted all specimens survive within 30 days. It could be concluded that M. meretrix is more suitable living in laboratory environment using natural saltwater or filtered saltwater compared to synthetic saltwater.