Growth, Production, and Feeding Efficiency of Freshwater, Longarm River Prawn Macrobrachium tenellum at Different Densities in Nursery Phase Culture under Intensive Conditions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of stocking density on growth performance, survival, feeding efficiency, and size distribution of the freshwater, longarm river prawn Macrobrachium tenellum during the nursery phase of intensive culture in a net cage–pond system. Juvenile longarm river prawns (mean weight = 0.46 g) were cultured in 12 net cages (1 m3) within two circular ponds (20.52 m3 each) at stocking densities of 50, 100, 200, and 400 prawns/m3. Final length, final body weight, weight gain, growth rate, and specific growth rate were found to be significantly better at a stocking density of 50 prawns/m3. A greater variation of sizes was observed at the density of 50 prawns/m3, with less in the highest density (400 prawns/m3). The results of the study showed that longarm river prawns in the nursery phase can be cultivated with a stocking density of 100 prawns/m3 to obtain a mean final weight of 1.6 g. This is the minimum size needed to obtain a high survival rate in the grow‐out stage in ponds. However, the best growth performance and survival were registered in the densities of 50 and 100 prawns/m3.