A. Tunsutapanich, S. Thongrod, T. Sanggontangit, C. Omanee-1997
Aquaculture Asia, April/June 1997, 2 (2): 47
Abstract:
To improve the technique of producing seed and nursing giant prawn larvae in earthen ponds four 1600m^2 (40x40) earthen ponds were filled with recycled seawater of 10 ppt salinity to a depth of 1 m. Combinations of biological, physical and chemical treatments were applied to treat the pond and the water in order to maintain water quality throughout the feeding period. Continuous aeration was done on the pond.
As this experiment aimed to increase the larval density in the pond, gravid female prawns with brown gray eggs (approximately 25 pieces/kg) were stocked into ponds each at two different densities of 30 kg and 40 kg per pond, to produce 4 and 6 millions larvae per pond, respectively. They were released into nylon net cages which were hung in the ponds. Three days later the broodstock were moved out from ponds after the larvae hatched.
Larvae were fed with natural blooming zooplankton and supplemented with Artemia nauplii, Artemia biomass and artificial feed. The average total production of juvenile prawns (29-35 days old) from stocking density at 4 and 6 million larvae were 2.75 million/pond (5.5 million/2 ponds) and 4.05 million/pond (8.1 million in 2 ponds) and with the average survival rates of 68.75% and 67.50%, respectively. There was no significant statistical difference in the survival rate between two treatments (P>0.05). The results suggest a number of improvements that would increase productivity and reduce operating costs.
(Phetchaburi Coastal Aquaculture Station, Amphoe Banlaem, Tumbol Laem-pugbia, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand)
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