The tolerance of Litopenaeus vannamei larvae to increasing concentrations of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) using a short‐term static renewal method at 26°C, 34 g L⁻¹ salinity and pH 8.5 was assessed. The median lethal concentration (24 h LC₅₀) for TAN in zoea (1‐2‐3), mysis (1‐2‐3) and postlarvae 1 were, respectively, 4.2‐9.9‐16.0; 19.0‐17.3‐17.5 and 13.2 mg L⁻¹TAN (0.6‐1.5‐2.4; 2.8‐2.5‐2.6 and 1.9 mg L⁻¹ NH₃‐N). The LC₅₀ values obtained in this study suggest that zoeal and post‐larval stages are more sensitive to 24 h ammonia exposure than the mysis stage of L. vannamei larvae. On the basis of the ammonia toxicity level (24 h LC₅₀) at zoea 1, we recommend that this level does not exceed 0.42 mg L⁻¹ TAN – equivalent to 0.06 mg L⁻¹ NH₃‐N – to reduce ammonia toxicity during the rearing of L. vannamei larvae.

Members of the bivalve molluscan family Spondylidae were very important elements in the world view of pre-Hispanic cultures of America, and today remain as symbols of culture heritage in contemporary society. In recent decades, given the importance they have for crafts and jewelry, as well as for fisheries and gastronomy, their exploitation has caused a drastic decrease in natural populations leading to restrictions in fishing. In the present review, data about Spondylus species of eastern Pacific Ocean, describing the symbolism, taxonomy, distribution, biology, and ecology, their status as exploitable resources, the advances in aquaculture of these species, as well as management experiences and conservation efforts are presented.