The effect of stocking density and diet on the growth and survival ofcultured Florida apple snails, Pomacea paludosa

There has been interest in culturing the Florida apple snail, Pomacea paludosa, for stock enhancement purposes in central and south Florida to help promote snail kite (Rostramus sociabilis) recovery. In 2007, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University began to research techniques necessary to culture Florida apple snails at a commercial scale (tens of thousands per year). This article reviews stocking density and diet experiments that have yielded a protocol for large-scale culture of Florida apple snails. The objectives of this research were to determine the stocking density that supports efficient production and to determine whether diet choice affects growth and survival and can improve captive growth rates at higher stocking densities.