The objectives of this study were the determination of mortality, growth, condition factor and meat yield, biochemical variables, and somatic secondary production of Pinna rugosa (Sowerby, 1835) in suspended and bottom conditions in Bahia de La Paz, Mexico. The use of each of these parameters was analysed as a decision element for managing the resource. The experimental design was based on the recruitment of wild spat on collectors and introducing bivalves of the same size into different areas. In each area, bivalve samples were used both in suspended trays, and lying on the bottom, approximating their natural occurrence, but surrounded by a plastic mesh fence. The stocking densities in both cultivation systems were 50, 100 and 150 m−2. The organisms were checked monthly for almost 2 years, recording various measurements. In one of the treatments that most closely represented the average, the growth values were 19.5 mm month−1 and 14.5 g month−1 in the first year, a length‐growth Von Bertalanffy K of 0.118 and an instantaneus growth rate in weight G of 4.77. During the first year, there was annual mortality of 22% on the bottom and 11% at the surface, with somatic secondary production, in dry weight, of 17.8 g per organism. The results of the estimation of each variable were submitted to a multifactorial anova. NO significant differences in K as a function of sites, cultivation systems or density could be found. The effect of site on instantaneous growth rate G was significant. The largest values were from the inner bay (site 1) where the highest mortality rate also occurred. Among condition factor, meat yield and biochemical components, only lipids showed a difference for systems and site factors. We concluded that secondary production gave statistical elements for the selection and culture decision‐making in all factors tested. The results showed good aquaculture prospects for P. rugosa.