THE ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION AND CULTURE OF BEAR SHRIMP, Penaeus semisulcatus de HAAN, IN HONG KONG

Abstract

AbstractPenaeus semisulcatus (bear shrimp) was used for biological and culture studies. A peak of reproductive periodicity was shown in the months of May, June and July. Increase in body weight and in gonad weight coincided with the increase in sea water temperature. This suggested that sexual maturation might be a direct response to increased sea water temperature. Fecundity of mature female shrimp was estimated as 415,000 to 479,000 ova.In most cases, half‐spent spawnings led to the production of poor eggs, characterized by irregular cytoplasmic formation and final autolysis. The embryonic and larval development of P. semisulcatus proceeded satisfactorily in a slightly alkaline medium (pH range from 7.5–8.5), and in water of salinity ranging from 28 to 35 ppt for egg and nauplius stages, and thereafter 25–35 ppt for zoea and mysis stages.The shrimps exhibited faster increase in body length than body weight in early growth. Later, after the shrimps had reached a body length of about 7.0 cm, the growth rate of body weight increased more markedly than body length. The rate of daily increase in weight was 1.01% in 7.0 cm shrimp. The feed efficiency of the formulated shrimp pellets was found to be 31.4%.During the nutritional study of P. semisulcatus, it was found that the combination of high dietary protein (about 40%) and low dietary lipid produced best growth and survival of bear shrimp. High increase of biomass of the shrimp fed with clam meat and high quality fish meal demonstrated the favorable response of shrimp to these diets. The use of cages for culturing bear shrimp was found to be practicable, but not efficient.