Metamorphosis and spat settlement

Settlement is a reversible, exploratory and behavioural response of mature larvae as they descend and undertake active site selection, and this differentiates settlement from the process of metamorphosis (Pawlik, 1990 Widdows, 1991 Lutz and Kennish, 1992 Gosling, 2003). Mussel 

Suspended nylon mesh sieves with water 

Settlement tanks should be filled with sea water heated to a temperature no higher than 18 °C. Sea water has always to be treated, but the type of treatment will depend on cost considerations and quality of the incoming supply. Thus, sea water could be filtered, using a series of several cartridge 

11 (a) Settlement tanks containing rope substrate and (b) different rope 

Settling larvae need to be fed a daily ration of 50000 cell mL of a mix of microalgae, such as I. galbam, C. gracilis, Skeletonema costatum and T. suecica. Sea water in conical-bottomed tanks must be agitated throughout the settlement period, both to avoid concentration of larvae and microalgae in the conical bottom and to enhance attachment of spat to collectors. 

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