Abstract
The combined effects of temperature and salinity on the hatching success, survival and development of the larval stages of Penaeus merguiensis were investigated in a 4×2 factorial designed experiment employing two temperatures (29±1 and 33±0.5 °C) and four salinities (25, 30, 35 and 40 ppt). Best percentage of hatch was obtained at 33 °C and 35 ppt (87%) followed by 29 °C and 35 ppt (82%). Similarly during naupliar stages, high survival rate was obtained at 33 °C and 35 ppt (89%). Metamorphosis cycle during the protozoeal stages (protozoea 1 to postlarva 1) was extended and survival rate decreased at 25 ppt. Development to PL1 was faster at 33 °C (7–8 days) as compared to 29 °C (8–10 days) regardless of the salinity levels. Maximum survival during the protozoeal stages was at 35 ppt followed by 48% at 33 °C and 45% at 29 °C. Results showed that salinity exerted a greater influence than temperature on the survival and development of larvae. Based on the results, the best temperature–salinity combination for larval survival and metamorphosis of P. merguiensis is 33 °C and 35 ppt. A salinity range of 30–35 ppt is ideal for larval development.
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