GROWTH AND YIELD OF PINK SHRIMP (Penaeus duorarum BURKENROAD) IN A FEEDING EXPERIMENT IN PONDS1

Abstract

ABSTRACTA feeding experiment was conducted with pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum Burkenroad) in ponds at Turkey Point in southeast Florida during May‐October 1972. Postlarval shrimp were stocked at two densities (75,000 and 150,000 per ha), and two foods (wheat bran and Central Soya Master Mix Catfish Developer 934) were tested. Two feeding levels (averaging 19 kg/ha/day and 12 kg/ha/day) were tested with wheat bran, but the catfish food was fed only at the higher level.Best shrimp growth was achieved at the lower stocking density with both foods. Shrimp stocked at 75,000 her ha and fed catfish food grew the fastest and attained an average weight (heads‐on) near 8 g in 92 days. Only these were allowed to grow for another 64 days and reached an average weight of 12.5 g with 50% survival (from stocking). Survival ranged from 75–94% in shrimp harvested 90–92 days after stocking. With wheat bran, the largest average size attained in 92 days was near 6 g.Best yields of shrimp (heads‐on) were obtained at the higher stocking density with both foods. The highest yield, 555 kg/ha, after 90 days was achieved with catfish food and at a stocking density of 150,000 per ha. Shrimp stocked at 75,000 per ha and grown on catfish food for 156 days yielded 472 kg/ha. The highest yield obtained in 91 days with wheat bran as food was 402 kg/ha.With wheat bran as food, better growth and better yield were obtained at the higher feeding level (averaging 19 kg/ha/day) than at the lower (averaging 12 kg/ha/day). Catfish food was fed only at the higher level.