Effect of stocking density on the growth and haemolymph biochemical value of Archachatina marginata

Abstract

The growth performance and haemolymph properties of the African giant land snail Archachatina marginata fed ad libitun with pawpaw leaves and reared under different stocking densities were investigated in an eight week experiment. Four different stocking densities of 5, 10, 15 and 20 snails
per cage (0.5 m x 0.5 m x 0.2 m) were used with each group replicated. The cage with 15 snails per cage recorded the best growth performance in relation to weight gain, shell length gain as well shell circumference gain, while the cage stocked with 20 snails recorded the least growth performance. There is a strong relationship between stocking density and the concentration of the haemolymph protein, glucose and lipids. However, there was no difference in the concentration of the mineral elements across the stocking densities.