Biological Control Of Crab Predation On Hard Clams Mercenaria mercenaria (Linnaeus, 1758) By The Toadfish Opsanus tau (Linnaeus) In Tray Cultures

Authors

Robert Bisker, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Michael Castagna, Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

1989

Journal

Journal of Shellfish Research

Volume

8

Issue

1

First Page

33

Last Page

36

Abstract

Oyster toadfish Opsanus tau (Linne) were tested as biological controls of crab predation on juvenile hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria (Linne) in trays with crushed stone aggregate. Clam survival after 34 weeks was 69.5% in the presence of toadfish and 2.3% in trays without toadfish. Toadfish reduced the total number of crabs (mud crabs and blue crabs). Crabs in trays with toadfish present had smaller carapace widths.

Keywords

predation, toadfish, Opsanus, crabs, hard clams, Mercenaria, tray culture

Recommended Citation

Bisker, Robert and Castagna, Michael, Biological Control Of Crab Predation On Hard Clams Mercenaria mercenaria (Linnaeus, 1758) By The Toadfish Opsanus tau (Linnaeus) In Tray Cultures (1989). Journal of Shellfish Research, 8(1), 33-36.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsarticles/1284