Obtaining broodstock

Obtaining broodstock

It is important to first differentiate among the various systems available for larval production, as all of these systems loosely qualify as definitions of "captive reproduction", and yet are truly different culture systems, each with advantages as well as limitations (Bray & Lawrence, 1992).

Collection of females with completely mature ovaries from a wild population for immediate spawning in captivity
Ovarian maturation and spawning achieved in a laboratory environment
Management of a breeding population in ponds or large outdoor culture vessels and simple transfer of females to a laboratory situation for spawning

Of the 27 species within genus of Penaeus, at least 21 species have been matured and spawned in captivity, and viable eggs produced, including: P. aztecus, P. brasiliensis, P. californiensis, P. canaliculatus, P. chinensis, P. esculentus, P. indicus, P. japonicus, P. kerathurus, P. marginatus, P. merguiensis, P. monodon, P. notialis, P. paulensis, P. penicillatus, P. plebejus, P. schmitti, P. semisulcatus, P. setiferus. P. stvlirostris, and P. vannamei. Limited information on captive breeding is also available for P. duorarum and P. occidentalis (Bray & Lawrence, 1992).