Gonad maturation of Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum was induced in this study using a recirculation system over 8 weeks in early spring. Clams used in the experiment were collected in 15th April 2010 from the west coast of Korea, as the surface water temperature remained 11°C. To induce gametogenesis and subsequent maturation seawater temperature was elevated 1°C per day over 10 days to reach 20°C. For the experiment, clams were raised in 120 L quadrangle tank maintained with re-circulated seawater system over 57 days. Water quality parameters including the water temperature, salinity dissolved oxygen, ammonium ion and nitrate levels in the tanks were monitored daily. Mixture of concentrated microalgae including Tetraselmis, Isochrysis, Pavlova and Thalassiosira weissflogii was supplied to clams twice a day, and quantity of the daily ration was adjusted as 3% of clam body dry weight. Histology was applied to examine gonad maturation. Daily monitoring of the water quality parameters indicated that the recirculation system supplied suitable environment to Manila clam; the nitrogenous components stayed below toxic levels (< 0.2 mg/L). At the beginning of the study, clams were mostly in early developing stage. As the seawater temperature reached 20°C, 10 days after the experiment, 20% of clams reached late development at 12 days. First ripe clams were observed at 42 days and 40% of clams were in ripe and ready for spawning at the end of study, 57 days after the experiment. In this study, gametogenesis of Manila clam was successfully induced by elevating water temperature and supplying commercially produced microalgae in a recirculation tank system.
