Survival and metamorphosis of giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae in a commercial recirculation system with artificial seawater

Abstract

Larval production of giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii and water quality in a commercial hatchery using a closed recirculation system (RAS) with artificial seawater, considering water used during 240 days (E1) and freshly prepared water (E2), was evaluated. An average of 100 larvae L−1 (zoea I) was stocked in four tanks of 1000 L; in both treatments, they were fed Artemia and egg custard. Survival and larval stage index (LSI) were estimated, every 5 days. Temperature, salinity and pH were monitored daily, while nitrogen compounds and ions were monitored every 5 days. Spearman and Pearson correlations were performed between larval survival and ion concentration and Mg/Ca ratio. Final larval survival differed significantly between treatments E1 (32% ± 7.5%) and E2 (50% ± 7.5%). Larval cycle lasted 23 and 21 days for E1 and E2 respectively. LSI did not differ significantly between the treatments. Water quality parameters were appropriate for the specie, although nitrate (NO3) increased to 500 mg L−1 in E1 treatment. Reused water showed a depletion of magnesium (~half of it) when compared to freshly prepared water. Magnesium and potassium concentrations decreased in both treatments during E1 cycle. A positive correlation was found between larval survival and magnesium (r = 0.54) and potassium (r = 0.78) in E1, but the same was not observed in E2. Mg/Ca ratio in E1 showed an average of 1.2, whereas, in E2, the average ratio was 2.1. The depletion of magnesium and potassium ions, through the continuous use of the water in RAS, could affect the survival of larvae.