Growth Rate of Periwinkle Tympanotonus Fuscatus in Elechi Creek and Aluu Section of the New Calabar River, Nigeria

Abstract

The growth rate of periwinkle, Tympanotonus fuscatus was studied at Elechi Creek and Aluu Section of the New Calabar River, Port Harcourt. Juvenile size of the periwinkle, which ranged between 11.0 and 17.5 mm, were stocked at the two sites and monitored bimonthly for a period of five months. In addition, some water quality parameters namely salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, were measured at Aluu section. The results from the Elechi Creek indicated an increase of 8.6 mm for size range 11.0 mm, 9.2 mm for size range 14.0 mm and 7.0 mm for size range 17.0 mm in five months. One hundred percent motility was observed at Aluu, due probably to the low level of salinity prevalent at the station all year round.