BYU ScholarsArchive

Article Title

Potential use of Great Salt Lake water for lobster culture

Authors

Roger W. Mickelsen, Brigham Young University
Richard A. Heckmann, Brigham Young University
Rex C. Infanger, Brigham Young University

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted to determine if water from the Great Salt Lake altered in chemical composition and dilution can be used successfully to sustain a species of hermit crab Pagarus sp. and the American Lobster (Homarus americanus). Great Salt Lake water altered by freshwater dilution will not sustain the hermit crab or the American lobster. Great Salt Lake water can be altered chemically by dilution to support growth of the American lobster.

American lobsters maintained in Instant Ocean synthetic sea water (control) grow at a more rapid rate than animals sustained in altered Great Salt Lake water. A plastic primer coat used for plastic tank repair appears to be a moult inhibitor for the American lobster. Lobsters afflicted by the primer coat are not able to reverse the damage by continued moults.

Recommended Citation

Mickelsen, Roger W.; Heckmann, Richard A.; and Infanger, Rex C. (1979) "Potential use of Great Salt Lake water for lobster culture," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 39: No. 3, Article 4.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol39/iss3/4