Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus budget in shrimp (Penaeus monodon) culture ponds in eastern India

Nutrient budget for shrimp (Penaeus monodon) culture was performed in ten culture ponds (0.4–1.0 ha) in Orissa, India, at stocking density of 10.0–22.10/m². The average initial body weight of shrimps was 0.02 g. The culture period was for 4 months. Feed was the main input of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and organic carbon (OC). The FCR varied from 1.35 to 1.75. At harvest time, the average weight of shrimps varied from 28 to 32 g. Total N, P and OC applied to these ponds through all the inputs ranged from 106.64 to 292.63, 23.17 to 57.55 kg and 763.10 to 1,831.20 kg per crop, respectively. Feed alone accounted for 94.43–95.03 % total N, 91.92–95.36 % total P and 80.33–92.48 % total OC, respectively. The harvest of shrimp accounted for recovery of 25.45–36.88 (av. 30.12) %, 10.07–12.94 (av. 11.16) % and 15.80–20.81 (av. 18.01) % of added N, P and OC, respectively. N, P and OC accumulated in sediment were 49.11, 64.07 and 64.82 %, respectively, of total nutrient retention in the culture system. Unaccounted N, P and OC were 13.29, 21.83 and 18.14 %, respectively, of the total nutrient retention in the system. N, P and OC outputs in the discharged water during harvest were 7.48, 2.94 and 2.03 %, respectively.     

Effects of all‐male,mixed‐sex and all‐female freshwater prawn in polyculture with major carps and molas in the fallow rice fields

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of all‐male, mixed‐sex and all‐female freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in a polyculture with major carps (Catla catla and Labeo rohita) and self‐recruiting small fish molas (Amblypharyngodon mola) in the fallow rice fields of Bangladesh. There were three treatments with three replicates. All ponds were stocked with carps and molas plus either all‐male prawns (treatment MP), mixed‐sex prawns (MFP) or all‐female prawns (FP). Prawn, mola, catla and rohu were stocked 20 000, 20 000, 1750 and 750 ha^?1, respectively, in all treatments. The prawns were fed twice daily, starting at 8% body weight and gradually reduced to 3% body weight. The fish were fed in the morning with mustard oil cake and rice bran (1:2 ratios) at 3% body weight. Significantly higher production of prawns (697 kg ha^?1) was obtained in treatment MP, which yielded 34.7% and 56.2% more production than MFP and FP respectively. Significantly higher total production of 1620 kg ha^?1 and a higher benefit–cost ratio of 2.10:1 were also obtained in treatment MP. It can be concluded that an all‐male prawn culture is economically more viable than all‐female and mixed‐sex prawn cultures, along with other fish like major carps and the nutrient‐dense molas in the polyculture.     

Effect of time-restricted feeding and refeeding regimes on compensatory growth,body composition,and feed utilization in prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) culture system

ABSTRACT

A 14-week feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effect of a time-restricted feeding and refeeding regime on compensatory growth, body composition, and feed utilization in improved traditional prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) culture systems. Three groups of prawn were used in which the control group (C) received feed regularly at ad libitum and the other two groups, Treatment 1 (T₁) and Treatment 2 (T₂), consumed feed 4 and 5 days per week respectively throughout the first 9 weeks. After feeding restriction, satiation of feed was given in the last 5 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the final weight of prawn in C, T₁, and T₂ were found to be 17.23 ± 6.56g, 16.04 ± 6.18g, and 15.64 ± 6.34 g respectively, which was insignificant. FCR decreased with increased restriction of feeding, while PER and NPU increased. Moisture content increased significantly, while protein and lipid content decreased significantly with increasing restriction time of feeding. After the satiation period, only the T2 group was able to replenish the lipid content. Water quality parameters didn’t vary significantly among the experimental groups and remained within optimum level. Therefore, time restriction could be applied in Macrobrachium rosenbergii culture without detrimental effects on growth, feed efficiency, and nutrient utilization.     

Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)–plant (Hydrilla verticillata) co‐culture system improves water quality,prawn production and economic benefit through stocking density and feeding regime manage

The effects and commercial implications of aquatic plant addition, and variable prawn stocking density and supply of commercial aquafeed on water quality, prawn production and economic benefit, are investigated in a prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) + plant (Hydrilla verticillata) co‐culture system. Our experimental design includes a control (PM, prawn monoculture without H. verticillata, with 30 prawns/m²) and four treatments with 15% plant cover of total pond area in each replicate. Dissolved oxygen, pH, N, P, total ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrite and nitrate in this co‐culture system were significantly lower than those of PM. Prawn survival (96.2 ± 14.9%), average final weight (68.5 ± 4.9 g) and yield (879.1 ± 102.4 kg/ha) in treatment 20W80%A (20 prawns/m², 80% of control aquafeed) were obviously greater than in PM and other treatments. Despite small males (SM) and immature females (IF) being predominant in prawn + plant cultures, more than 77.2% of prawns reached or exceeded 40 g on completion of trials, and by six months were of appropriate size for market. We report culture of M. rosenbergii with H. verticillata to be both feasible and profitable. The optimal treatment, a stocking density of 20 prawns/m² with these plants, enabled reduction of commercial aquafeed to 20% conventional culture levels. For this optimal treatment, we estimate total gross revenue, profit and internal rate of return to be US$ 6,593.3 ± 103.3 ha^?1, US$ 3,095.5 ± 42.6 ha^?1 and 127.5 ± 20.7% for 20W80%A respectively; we estimate U.S. Dollar (US$) invested generates 3.87 times conventional culture revenue. Co‐culture of M. rosenbergii and plants renders prawn production ecologically and economically feasible on larger farms.     

Measurement of Morphometric Dimensions and Mechanical Properties of Rohu Fish for Design of Processing Machines

Indian major carps (IMC) viz. rohu, catla, and mrigal are the most important fresh water species. They are marketed locally without post-harvest processing and value addition because of the lack of suitable processing machines. The present study was undertaken to measure the morphometric and mechanical properties of rohu fish for the development of fish processing machinery, and the same can be adjusted for the other IMC. Twenty-five samples of rohu fish (Labeo rohita) were caught, with weight ranging from 290 to 2,100 g (harvestable size). The measured morphometric dimensions were the body depth (10.14 ± 1.63 cm), thickness (5.9 ± 0.85 cm), head length (9.35 ± 1.04 cm), standard length (37.54 ± 4.17 cm), total length (45.89 ± 5.68 cm), and fish backbone thickness (11.2 ± 4.91 mm). Mechanical properties including the angle of repose over steel surface (20°–22°) and plastic surface (18°–20°) were recorded. The maximum power consumption for slicing the fish lengthwise was recorded as 460 W. The measured morphometric and mechanical properties are useful in limiting the adjustments, design of conveyors, capacity, and power requirement of fish processing machines for rohu fish.     

A comparative study on innate immunity parameters in the epidermal mucus of Indian major carps

The innate immune system, particularly the external body surface, plays a frontier role in protecting fish from relevant infections. The present study is aimed at understanding and comparing the mucosal immunity of Indian major carp, that is, Labeo rohita, Catla catla and Cirrhinus mrigala, by evaluating different immune parameters such as protein content, lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, proteases and alkaline phosphatase activity in the skin mucus. The protein content of mucus sample of these species was compared, and the highest protein content was found in C. catla among the three Indian major carp species. The levels of proteases (40 ± 0.211 units/ml) and myeloperoxidase OD450 nm (1.525 ± 0.108) were found to be highest in the skin mucus of C. catla. However, lysozyme levels were highest in the skin mucus of L. rohita (10.95 ± 0.330 μg/ml), and C. mrigala had the highest alkaline phosphatase activity (30.74111 ± 0.680 U/l). Besides the enzyme activities, the epidermal mucus samples of three Indian major carp species were also tested and compared for the antibacterial activity against seven bacterial strains. Skin mucus of C. catla showed highest antibacterial activity among the three Indian major carps against all the seven bacterial strain, except that Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Vibrio cholerae, however, showed highest activity against mucus of C. mrigala. Also, the epidermal mucus from all the three species successfully agglutinated three freshwater pathogens, viz. Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Edwardsiella tarda, with agglutination titres being the highest for Labeo rohita for all the pathogens. The epidermal mucus samples from the Indian major carp species showed haemagglutination activity and successfully lysed human, chicken and goat RBCs showing highest activity in C. catla. These results provide information for a better understanding of the role of epidermal mucus and its components in the innate immune system of Indian major carps.     

Effects of different fertilization and feeding regimes on the production of integrated farming of rice and prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man)

An experiment was conducted in rice field plots each of 30 m² to determine the appropriate combination of feeding and fertilization regimes for the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879) cultured along with rice in rice fields. There were four treatments: rice culture only with regular fertilization (A, control); rice–prawn integrated culture with regular fertilization (B); rice–prawn integrated culture with basal fertilization and commercial feed (C) and rice–prawn integrated culture with regular fertilization and commercial feed (D). Juvenile prawns of 1.5‐g size were stocked on the third day after rice transplantation at a density of 2 prawns m^?2 and fed twice daily at 5% reducing to 2% of body weight during the experiment. The rice yield in treatment D (0.42 kg m^?2) was significantly higher than that in other treatments (0.34, 0.36, 0.34 kg m^?2 in treatments A, B, C respectively). Prawns grew significantly faster (P<0.05) in treatments C and D (23.8±0.9 and 22.0±1.7 g prawn^?1 respectively) than in treatment B (14.7±1.6 g prawn^?1). Prawn production in treatment C (347±13 kg ha^?1 crop^?1) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that (234±30 kg ha^?1 crop^?1) in treatment B, while in treatment D (296±53 kg ha^?1 crop^?1) it was not significantly different from that in treatments B and C (P>0.05). Treatment C gave the highest economic returns among all treatments, followed by treatments D and B, indicating that the combination of basal fertilization and commercial feed is the most appropriate nutrient input regime for the rice–prawn integrated culture system.     

Optimization of stocking density of freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) in carp polyculture in Bangladesh

A study was conducted to optimize stocking density of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, in carp polyculture for 3 months in 10 experimental ponds of 80 m². Five stocking densities of prawn, 2500, 5000, 7500, 10 000 and 12 500 ha^?1, were assigned to treatments T₁, T₂, T₃, T₄ and T₅ respectively. The densities of catla, Catla catla, rohu, Labeo rohita and silver carp, Hypophthalmicthys molitrix, were 2500, 5000, and 2500 ha^?1, respectively, in each treatment. Each treatment had two replicate ponds. The mean initial weights of prawn, catla, rohu and silver carp were 1.1±0.02, 8.28±0.1, 25.2±1.1 and 36.32±1.2 g respectively. A pelleted diet containing 30% protein was prepared using fish meal, meat and bone meal, mustard oilcake, rice bran, wheat bran and molasses, and was fed twice daily at a rate of 5% of fish biomass. Water quality parameters were measured fortnightly and the ranges of temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen were 27.5–1.3°C, 6.9–8.6 and 4.5–8.6 mg L^?1 respectively. Feed conversion ratios ranged from 2.05 to 2.20 among the treatments. Per cent survival (%) of prawns ranged from 72% to 78%, while it varied from 80% to 93%, 90% to 95% and 90% to 92% for catla, rohu and silver carp respectively. The results showed that there were no significant differences among the weight gains of prawn and carp in different treatments. However, the overall total production of prawn and fish together was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T₃ and T₄ compared with other treatments. The total production for 3 months ranged between 2618 and 2916 kg ha^?1. The production of prawn was significantly higher (361.3 kg ha^?1) in T₅ with a highest stocking density of 12 500 prawn ha^?1. Although there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the total production of prawn and fish together in T₃ and T₄, the highest net profit (Tk. 69 006 ha^?1) was obtained in T₄. Therefore, from the result of the study it may be concluded that a stocking ratio of 4:1:2:1 of prawn:catla:rohu:silver carp at a total density of 20 000 ha^?1 may be recommended for prawn–carp polyculture in ponds.     

Effect of feeding frequency on growth, survival and feed utilization in fingerlings of Catla catla (Hamilton), Labeo rohita (Hamilton) and Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton) in outdoor rearing systems

Fingerling rearing of Indian major carps, Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala, were conducted in concrete tanks under a polyculture system at a density of 0.3 million fry ha^?1 to evaluate the effect of one, two or three feedings per day on growth, survival and feed utilization. Fry were fed with formulated supplementary diet at 10% of biomass per day during the first 15 days, followed by 8% in the next 15 days and 6% thereafter, for 60 days. Feeding of fish three times daily led to higher growth (103.9±8.5 mm/10.3±2.4 g) than those feeding twice (100.2±4.8 mm/9.9±1.5 g) or once (97.2±9.8 mm/9.4±2.1 g) daily, although the values were not significantly different (P>0.05). Survival rate ranging between 72.3% and 75.1% also did not vary significantly (P>0.05) among the treatments. However, higher feeding frequencies resulted in better feed utilization as evident from decreasing feed conversion ratio values. The present study suggested requirement of a higher feeding frequency for rohu compared with catla and mrigal.     

Resistance to vibriosis,production performance and tolerance to stress of the selected giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the resistance to vibriosis, growth, survival and tolerance to stress of the selected prawn, second generation, compared to a non‐selected control. The first generation of selected giant freshwater prawn, which has 10.4% higher of resistance, was used to attain disease resistant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) generation through challenge test‐based selection. Resistance test was conducted by infecting the prawn (mean body weight of 10.29 ± 1.40 g) with pathogenic Vibrio harveyi (5 × 10⁵ cfu prawn^?1). The growth and survival of the prawn were evaluated by rearing the two populations of prawn in both nursery and grow‐out phases. Stress tolerance test was done by evaluating the viability of postlarvae exposed to environmental stressors, i.e. temperature, salinity, NH₃ and formaldehide. Post‐challenge survival of the selected prawn (55.0 ± 5.0%) was about 46% higher than that of the control (37.5 ± 7.5%). The survival of the selected prawn in nursery culture (77.16 ± 0.841%) was significantly higher (p < .05) than that of the control (51.31 ± 2.938%), while the survival in grow‐out culture was similar (p > .05). The growth of selected prawn (4.99 ± 0.03% day^?1) was significantly higher than that of the control (4.81 ± 0.05% day^?1). There was no difference between treatments on the tolerance level against the tested environmental stressor. Overall data suggested that the selected prawn showed better performance in growth and resistance against vibriosis.     

Relative status and contribution of sediment phosphorus and nitrogen in carp culture system fertilized with various combinations of rockphosphate

Growth performances of advanced fry of Indian major carps. Labeo rohita (Hamilton). Catla catla (Hamilton) and Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton), were examined in simulated pond systems using monthly application of the following fertilizers in six treatments: Mussoorie rockphosphate (MPR) in low (100 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1) and high doses (200 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1), single superphosphate (SSP) (50 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1), single superphosphate mixed with rockphosphate (1:1 by weight: 50 kg P₂O₅), compost (C) (water hyacinth and cattle manure) and composted rockphosphate (MPR-C). The amount of available P in surface sediment of MPR-C did not differ from that in either the SSP or the MPR + SSP treatment, whereas the total and available N contents differed greatly. There was an inverse relationship between the time to reach phosphate peak of water and the retention time of fertilizer in surface sediments. It is evident that total P of surface sediment was the most significant contributor to fish growth in exclusively MPR treatments, whereas total P and total N of surface sediments are involved in the MPR treatments in combination with compost or SSP.     

Impact of Substrate Physical Characteristics on Grow Out of Freshwater Prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, in Ponds and Pond Microcosm Tanks

Two independent trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of different physical characteristics of substrate materials on growth and survival of freshwater prawn. In Trial 1, juvenile prawns (0.4 ± 0.2 g) were stocked at 123 prawns/m² of tank bottom into twenty‐one 18,000‐L fiberglass tanks managed as pond microcosms. Six substrate materials were chosen to allow comparisons of surface area, mesh size, color, and texture. A control treatment received no added substrate. There were three replicate tanks per treatment. Substrates were positioned vertically at a rate sufficient to increase the bottom surface area by 100%. Prawns were fed a 32% protein sinking diet according to a feed chart. After 110 d, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in survival among treatments, averaging 72.6% overall. Prawns in the control treatment (no substrate) had significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) average weights (9.5 g), lower production (1342 kg/ha), and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR; 2.5) than those in substrate treatments, which were not significantly different (P > 0.05) and averaged 13.4 g, 2404 kg/ha, and 1.3, respectively. For Trial 2, the least expensive substrate material from Trial 1 (lightweight polyethylene bird netting) was compared with the substrate most commonly used in commercial production (heavyweight orange polyethylene safety fencing) under practical pond conditions. Juvenile prawns (0.8 ± 0.3 g) were stocked at 61,600/ha into six 0.04‐ha earthen ponds. Each was randomly assigned one of the two substrate materials, and there were three replications per treatment. After 101 d, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between treatments in terms of survival (91%), average weight (34 g), total production (2150 kg/ha), or FCR (3.1). In these studies, physical characteristics of the substrate materials had little impact. The lightweight netting represents a 68% cost savings compared to the currently recommended substrate material.     

Intergeneric Hybridization between Kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum, and Bream, Abramis brama orientalis, of the Caspian Sea

Artificial hybridization was performed between Rutilus frisii kutum and Abramis brama orientalis of the Caspian Sea. Synchronization of spawning of female broodstock of both species was induced by injection of carp pituitary extract. Reciprocal crossings between R. frisii kutum ♀×A. brama orientalis ♂ (RA) and A. brama orientalis ♀×R. frisii kutum ♂ (AR) produced viable hybrid larvae without any clear particular pre‐ or postzygotic isolation phenomena. RA and AR hybrid larvae were reared to fingerling stage with survival rates of 22.5 and 28% and average weight of 6.8 ± 0.17 g and 9.0 ± 0.79 g, respectively. A heterosis of 45% was calculated for weight at fingerling stage. RA and AR hybrid fingerlings were cultured in polyculture along with Chinese carps for 6–7 mo and reached an average weight of 190–195 g and 235–255 g, respectively. Karyotyping of these hybrids revealed a modal diploid number of 2n = 50 for both groups, which is similar to those of the parental species. Discriminant function analysis on 28 morphometric and meristic characteristics of two parental species as well as their hybrids could separate these groups at highly significant level (P < 0.001). These results indicated an overall intermediate inheritance of the studied characters.     

A study of organic carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus budget in jellyfish–shellfish–fish–prawn polyculture ponds

A budget describing the flow of organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) through two polyculture ponds (jellyfish–shellfish–fish–prawn) was constructed. The total input of OC was 3107 kg ha^?1 in pond 1 and 3358 kg ha^?1 in pond 2, while total output was 1759 kg ha^?1 in pond 1 and 1325 kg ha^?1 in pond 2. In pond 1, the total input of N was 364 kg ha^?1 and output was 359 kg ha^?1, whereas, in pond 2, the total input of N was 439 kg ha^?1 and total output was 331 kg ha^?1. The total input of P was 75 kg ha^?1 in pond 1 and 66 kg ha^?1 in pond 2, while total outputs for pond 1 and pond 2 were 74 and 65 kg ha^?1 respectively. Primary production from phytoplankton contributed the largest proportion of total OC (49–56%), while feed contributed the largest proportion of N (78–81%) and P (79–80%). Animals harvested from the aquaculture ponds accounted for the largest proportion of N (50–73%) and P (49–52%), and respiration accounted for the largest proportion of OC (43–61%) output from the system. The OC, N and P use efficiency of harvested animals was 30.30%, 70.19% and 50.14% in pond 1, respectively, and 21.03%, 46.95% and 46.47% in pond 2 respectively. In terms of nutrient use, the filter‐feeding bivalve, Sinonovacula constricta, was the most efficient species within the polyculture system.     

The influence of feeding diets containing wheat gluten supplemented with dipeptides or free amino acids on structure and development of the skeletal muscle of carp (Cyprinus carpio)

A 28-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the influence of feeding diets containing plant protein wheat gluten supplemented with dipeptides or free amino acids on structure and development of the skeletal muscles of carp (Cyprinus carpio). Common carp fingerlings (1 month old) having an of average weight of 0.07 ± 0.02 g and total length of 17.79 ± 1.79 mm were fed three formulated diets—wheat gluten protein-based diets supplemented with Lys–Gly dipeptide (PP), free lysine and glycine (AA), control diet without lysine supplemented (CON)—and two other diets: restrictive diet—frozen zooplankton (Z) and commercial diet Aglo Norse (AN). After 28 days of experimental feeding, statistically significant higher survival was observed among fish fed AN and Z diets (99.5 ± 1.0 %; P ≤ 0.05). The feeding AN diet has had also a positive influence on weight and growth rate as well as on development and growth of skeletal muscles. Furthermore, carps fed AN diet had the largest area of red and white muscle as compared with the other feeding groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). The increase in the number of proliferating cells (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) was observed on the last day of the experiment among carps fed PP, AA and CON. Moreover, fish fed PP significantly had the greatest number of MyoD- and myogenin-positive nucleus (P ≤ 0.05). Among the experimental diets based on wheat gluten, a positive impact on structure and development of muscles has been observed in carps fed PP diet.     

Effect of cold shock and hormone on growth and male morphotypes of freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

A study was carried out to determine the effects of cold shock and 17α‐methyl testosterone hormone on growth in male morphotypes of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Juvenile males were exposed at 18 ± 0.25°C for 24 h with normal feed and cultured at 27 ± 0.7°C for 70 days as well as administrated feed with hormone separately at 400 mg kg^?1 feed for the first 30 days of culture period (70 days). The growth (Mean ± SD) of male juveniles at harvest was closely homogenous in the cold shock (CLS) treated group; while it was heterogeneous in hormone‐treated (MH) and control (CO) groups. Although total body weight of blue claw (BC) males was not significantly different in the controls and the treatments, the 2nd pereiopods (claw) weight and length of the BC was significantly lower in CLS (0.52 ± 0.05 g, 10.02 ± 0.65 cm) than that in the CO (0.71 ± 0.16 g, 12.53 ± 0.57 cm) and MH (0.75 ± 0.08 g, 12.85 ± 1.18 cm) treatments. Survival of prawns was similar in treatments. The morphotypes of male prawn were significantly different with 59% of BC males with small‐sized claws in CLS and, 45% and 30% of BC males with large‐sized claws in MH and CO respectively. Cold shock adversely affected male morphotypes of the prawn so that numbers of BC males with small‐sized claw was the highest in CLS tank. However, the CLS treatment resulted in more uniform marketable prawns and suggested a high production of BC males in an all‐male culture system.     

A reference diet for nutritional studies of the giant tiger prawn Penaeus monodon

Critical evaluation of the nutrient requirements of an animal requires the use of a purified reference diet. In this study, the effects of either a purified reference experimental diet, a practical experimental diet and an imported commercial diet on the growth and nutritional condition of the prawn Penaeusmonodon were compared. The reference diet, based on widely available ingredients of consistent and known nutrient content, supported excellent prawn growth when fed either ad libitum or subsatiation (≈ 75% of the mean initial satiation intake). In a 6-week experiment, growth (as percentage increase in weight, ± SEM) of the prawns fed ad libitum differed significantly (P < 0.05) between each diet in the order: practical (142 ± 10%), reference (121 ± 9%) and commercial (91 ± 16%). Growth for the reference diet fed subsatiation was 116 ± 4%, and was not significantly (P > 0.05) different from that obtained with the same diet fed ad libitum. Dry matter food conversion for the reference diet was significantly (P < 0.05) better when fed subsatiation (1.58 ± 0.08) rather than ad libitum (2.08 ± 0.06) and better than that obtained with either the practical (3.40 ± 0.15) or commercial (3.02 ± 0.28) diets, which were not significantly (P > 0.05) different from each other. The lipid content (mg g^–1 of prawn) of the digestive gland of prawns fed ad libitum was similar for reference, practical and commercial diets (6.03 ± 0.38, 4.92 ± 0.90 and 4.92 ± 0.95 mg g^–1 of prawn, respectively), but significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that for the reference diet fed subsatiation (4.73 ± 0.38 mg g^–1 of prawn).     

Effect of ammonia-N on growth and feeding of juvenile Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De-Man)

Survival rate, growth and feed intake were determined for late juveniles (4.31 ± 0.18 g) of river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in freshwater with total ammonia‐N (NH₃‐N+NH₄‐N) concentrations of 0.015 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg L⁻¹ for 60 days at pH 7.53 ± 0.04 and temperature 24.0 ± 2.5°C. Survival rate was significantly (P<0.05) lower (54 ± 4.2–70 ± 5.4%) for total ammonia concentrations from 0.5 to 1.5 mg L⁻¹ [0.0139–0.0419 mg L⁻¹ of unionized ammonia (NH₃)]. Growth (0.026–0.030 g day⁻¹ range) of the prawns did not differ for the different NH₃ levels but were significantly (P<0.05) lower compared with control (0.056 g day⁻¹). Feed intake rates also diminished significantly (P<0.05) from 77.60 ± 2.45% at control (0.015 mg L⁻¹ NH₃‐N) to 48.69 ± 2.13% at 1.5 mg L⁻¹ NH₃‐N (0.0419 mg L⁻¹ of unionized NH₃).     

Effects of C:N ratio and substrate integration on periphyton biomass, microbial dynamics and growth of Penaeus monodon juveniles

An outdoor growth trial was conducted for 75 days to investigate the effect of C:N ratio and bamboo substrate (S) in brackish water shrimp culture. Penaeus monodon juveniles (0.35 ± 0.03 g) were stocked in experimental tanks with and without bamboo substrate. C:N ratio of 10 and 20 was manipulated with shrimp feed containing 32 % crude protein and rice flour as carbohydrate source. Addition of substrate and higher C:N ratio (CN20+S) significantly reduced (p < 0.01) inorganic nitrogen NH₃–N by 48.2 %, NO₃–N by 41.6 %, NO₂–N by 42.7 % compared with CN10. Substrate addition significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the turbidity by 22.4 % (CN10+S against CN10) and 20.7 % (CN20+S against CN20). Periphyton biomass and total heterotrophic bacterial load were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in CN20+S in comparison with CN10+S treatment. The autotrophic index increased from 123.4 ± 0.62 to 158.9 ± 3.8 for CN10+S and, 121.8 ± 1.6 to 228 ± 9.11 for CN20+S system. Provision of substrate and carbohydrate addition resulted in the highest body weight, 4.87 ± 0.12 g in CN20+S against 3.66 ± 0.07 g in CN20 and 2.90 ± 0.12 g in CN10 through provision of natural food in the form of periphytic algae and heterotrophic bacterial community. Treatment with substrates showed a higher survival rate by 7 % in comparison with without substrate treatments as it acted as shelter to shrimp during molting and there by reduced cannibalism. Thus, our results demonstrated that high C:N ratio and substrate addition improved growth, reduced FCR and better water quality conditions.     

Effects of Two Densities of Caged Monosex Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, on Water Quality, Phytoplankton Populations, and Production When Polycultured with Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Temperate Ponds

The effects of different densities of caged Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, on water quality, phytoplankton populations, prawn, and total pond production were evaluated in freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, production ponds. The experiment consisted of three treatments with three 0.04‐ha replicates each. All ponds were stocked with graded, nursed juvenile prawn (0.9 ± 0.6 g) at 69,000/ha. Control (CTL) ponds contained only prawns. Low‐density polyculture (LDP) ponds also contained two cages (1 m³; 100 fish/cage) of monosex male tilapia (115.6 ± 22 g), and high‐density polyculture (HDP) ponds had four cages. Total culture period was 106 d for tilapia and 114 d for prawn. Overall mean afternoon pH level was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) in polyculture ponds than in CTL ponds but did not differ (P > 0.05) between LDP and HDP. Phytoplankton biovolume was reduced in polyculture treatments. Tilapia in the LDP treatment had significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) harvest weights than in the HDP treatment. Prawn weights were higher (P ≤ 0.05) in polyculture than prawn monoculture. These data indicate that a caged tilapia/freshwater prawn polyculture system may provide pH control while maximizing pond resources in temperate areas.