Culture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man 1879) in experimental cages in a freshwater eutrophic lake at different stocking densities

Abstract

Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man 1879) juveniles (0.4 g) were cultured in experimental cages (L × W × H: 2.5 × 1 × 1 m) in Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines. The following stocking densities at four replicates each were used: 15, 30, 60 and 90 prawns m−2 of cage bottom. The mean sizes at harvest after 5 months of culture ranged from 14.3 g for the highest stocking density to 26.3 g for the lowest. The mean size at harvest, daily growth rate and size class distribution were significantly influenced by stocking density, with those at the lowest stocking density showing significantly better growth and overall proportion of larger prawns. Heterogeneous individual growth (HIG) was fairly evident in all treatments. The percentage of blue‐clawed males was not influenced by treatment but the mean weight was significantly higher in the lower stocking densities. Both the percentage and mean weight of berried females were significantly higher in the lowest stocking density. Survival was the highest in the lower stocking densities (55.3%, 54.0%, 52.7% and 36.9% for 15, 30, 60 and 90 prawns m−2 respectively). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved with decreasing stocking density, ranging from 2.1 to 3. As expected, yield per cropping increased with stocking density and ranged from 450 to 1089 g m−2 yr−1 of actual cage area. Production values obtained in the cage cultured M. rosenbergii were comparable to or even higher than those reported from pond culture, given that the stocking densities used in this study were generally higher than in ponds. The results show that the farming of M. rosenbergii in cages in lakes is a viable alternative to pond culture and has the potential of improve aquaculture production in lakeshore fish farming communities.

Effect of dietary protein and lipid levels and protein–energy ratio on growth indices, feed utilization and body composition of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man 1879) post larvae

“…Diets having P:E ratios of 17:1 and 18:1 were similar in growth response and feed utilization. The values of FCR for diets containing P:E ratio of 17:1 and 18:1 (1.5 and 1.7 respectively) were superior to those values obtained by El‐Sayed (1997), Hari and Kurup (2003), Kumar, Sahu, Saharan, Reddy and Kumar (2006), Teshima et al (2006) and Cuvin‐Aralar, Aralar, Laron and Rosario (2007). However, freshwater prawn PL fed diets with a different P:E ratio from 19:1 to 21:1 may not have enough available energy to spare all the protein for tissue formation, thus resulting in growth reduction.…”

Effect of biotic factors on growth and survival of the Oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense (De Haan) in warm-water aquaculture

“…It has long been shown that the survival of prawns in mixed populations inversely depends on their den sity: the lower the density, the higher the survival (Ale khnovich and Panyushkin, 1991;Kulesh, 1996;Ale khnovich and Kulesh, 2003;Cuvin Aralar et al, 2007). In case of semi intensive M. nipponense culture (40 ind./m 2 ), the survival rates of females in monosex and mixed populations are significantly higher than those of males.…”

“…For example, the proportion of small sized males was significantly greater at a stocking density of 60000 ind./ha than at 14000 ind./ha . After 5 months of culturing in floating cages at stocking densities of 15, 30, 60, and 90 ind./m 2 , the proportions of individuals weighing less than 20 g were 31, 48, 64, and 76%, respectively (Cuvin Aralar et al, 2007).…”

Net mesh size affects production of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii cultured in lake-based cages

“…One set of cages had 5 mm mesh B-nets as used by Cuvin-Aralar et al (2007); the other set of cages had 1 mm mesh Hapa nets. Initial stocking weight was 0.30 AE 0.10 g (n = 50 from randomly obtained samples).…”

“…The cages are mainly for the culture of tilapias, carp and catfish. As part of its Small-holder Freshwater Aquaculture Program, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Aquaculture Department (SEAF-DEC/AQD) introduced the cage culture of the decapod crustacean giant freshwater prawn M. rosenbergii based on the promising results from a study conducted in a lake in the Philippines (Cuvin-Aralar et al, 2007). Probably one of the earliest studies was that of Panicker and Kadri (1981) for M. rosenbergii in reservoirs and lakes, which proved the culture to be profitable.…”