Immunomodulatory effect of Cynodon dactylon against white tail disease of giant freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man, 1879)

The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is an economically important and extensively cultured crustacean worldwide. The viral pathogens, Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV) are responsible for causing severe mortalities in the hatchery and nursery phases. This study investigates the protection of postlarvae of freshwater against white tail disease (WTD) using plant extract derived from Cyanodon dactylon and the modulation of the prawn non‐specific immunity. To determine the immunomodulatory effect of C. dactylon extract, the prawn was injected with plant extract and various immunological parameters were estimated. The immunological parameters such as proPO, SOD, THC and clotting time were found to be significantly higher in the plant extract‐injected prawn when compared with control groups. The results of real time PCR analysis revealed up regulation on the expression proPO, SOD and lysozyme genes in MrNV and XSV challenged prawn postlarvae treated with C. dactylon extract. Infectivity experiment showed high relative per cent survival in MrNV and XSV‐challenged prawn postlarvae treated with C. dactylon extract. These results strongly indicate that the administration of C. dactylon plant extract enhances immunity of the prawn. Based on the results, this study recommends that the immersion of postlarvae in C. dactylon plant extract is a potential prophylactic agent against WTD.     

Current status of the giant freshwater prawn ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii) industry in China,with special reference to live transportation

The giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii was first introduced into mainland China by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences from Japan in 1976. It was cultured at the Guangdong Province Fishery Institute (now as Pearl River Fishery Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences). Following these early efforts, giant freshwater prawn culture has gradually spread to northern and inland areas. At this time (2011), China has become the largest producer of giant freshwater prawn in the world. Due to a preference of cooking with fresh aquatic products, Chinese retail markets have developed which have special live‐holding counters. From small rural shops to urban supermarkets and specialty restaurants, live seafoods are commonly available whereby customers pick out the products they wish to purchase and consume. Giant freshwater prawns are produced in over 35 countries throughout the world. They are usually sold either fresh, on‐ice, or frozen. What makes the Chinese prawn industry unique is its focus on a live transportation and marketing model. As a result, numerous innovative live‐transport technologies have been developed which have been key to the success of this expanding domestic industry. In this article, we would like to give a general overview of the giant freshwater prawn industry, its status in China, and the special role live‐transportation has for expanding production of giant freshwater prawns.     

Effect of probiotics on immune competence of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

This study evaluates the effect of probiotics, Zymetin, on the immune efficiency of Macrobrachium rosenbergii juvenile against pathogenic Vibriospp. and Aeromonasspp. The experiment was conducted in glass aquaria with same level of feeding under different treatments, that is, negative control (Cn), positive control with Vibrio spp. (Cv) and Aeromonasspp. (Ca), prawn juveniles fed with probiotics (Zymetin) at 5 g/kg of feed but without pathogen (T1), probiotic fed prawn challenged with Vibrio spp. (T2) and Aeromonasspp. (T3). The results demonstrated that T1 showed higher survival rate, total haemocyte count, non‐granular haemocyte count, phagocytic activity, and clearance efficiency compared to other treatment groups. In contrast, decreased number of small and large granular haemocyte was observed in T1. Despite that, THC was found to be significantly different (p < 0.05) among all the controls and lowest was in Cv, followed by Ca. Besides, phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency against Vibrio spp. and Aeromonasspp. decreased significantly in Cn, Ca, and Cv fed M. rosenbergiijuvenile, while the values were found to be higher in T1 followed by T2 and T3, in that order. In addition, the challenge test showed an increasing trend of total and beneficial bacterial density as well as declining trend of some harmful bacteria in the water and gut of prawn in all the groups tested (p < 0.05).     

Current status and prospects of farming the giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) and the monsoon river prawn Macrobrachium malcolmsonii (H.M. Edwards) in India

Freshwater prawn production in India that includes farming and wild capture of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii and the monsoon river prawn, M. malcolmsonii has increased steadily since 1999 reaching a peak output of 42 780 t in 2005, but then declined to 6568 t in 2009–2010. Stunted growth and diseases in ponds because of poor seed quality and the broodstock which had been inbred over several generations; pond water quality issues; and increased cost of production on account of feed, labour and the mandatory certification requirements are suggested to be some of the factors leading to the production declines. While majority of the output occurs in Andhra Pradesh, single crop paddy–prawn production systems in the low‐lying fields of Kerala have helped gradual transformation to a sustainable, organic mode of farming of both rice and prawns, suitable for other states of India. Although the trends by June 2011 indicate that the sector is set to a revival, future prospects of freshwater prawn farming in India will also depend on the expansion of whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei that was introduced recently in India and provided a more profitable opportunity for farming.     

Phenotypic and genetic parameters for body traits in the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in India

Phenotypic and genetic parameters were estimated for three body traits (harvest weight, carapace length and standard length) and for adult male morphotypes of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in a fully pedigreed synthetic population in India. The data set included 9,173 progeny produced over four generations from 162 sires and 234 dams. Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated fitting an animal model using the residual maximum‐likelihood methodology. The heritabilities for harvest body weight (HW), carapace length (CL) and standard length (SL) were moderate (0.22 ± 0.056, 0.22 ± 0.055 and 0.25 ± 0.059 respectively). The common environmental effects for HW, CL and SL were 0.10 ± 0.020, 0.08 ± 0.018 and 0.10 ± 0.021 respectively. As M. rosenbergii is sexually dimorphic, we estimated heritabilities within each sex. Heritability of HW in females (0.27 ± 0.068) was greater than that in males (0.15 ± 0.057). CL and SL followed the same pattern. The occurrence of male morphotypes is a unique characteristic of adult populations of M. rosenbergii. Populations from culture ponds exhibit a wide range of sizes. To examine whether there was a heritable component in male morphotype frequencies, we treated male morphotypes as traits. The additive genetic variance (and hence the heritability) was zero for male morphotype, indicating that selective breeding to increase the proportion of desirable male morphotypes would not be effective. The genetic correlations among body traits were all positive, high and approaching unity. The results are discussed in relation to selection plans for the giant freshwater prawn.     

Hatchery seed production of giant freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii using inland ground saline water in India

The suitability of inland saline water (ISW) from the Lahli‐Baniyani Fish Farm, Rohtak was investigated for the larval rearing of giant freshwater prawn (GFP), Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Six experiments were conducted. In Experiment‐I, 54% of the larvae metamorphosed to postlarvae (PL) in constituted seawater (CSW) whereas total mortality occurred at larval stages (LS)‐II and LS‐III in ISW with salinity of 12 g L^?1. Larvae survived to LS‐IV in Experiment‐II, when ISW was supplemented with K⁺~ SW. In Experiment‐III, total hardness in ISW was reduced serially, but K⁺ ~ SW was supplemented. The larvae did not survive beyond LS‐V. In Experiment‐IV, ISW was amended with different ratios of Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ and K⁺ ~ SW. The larvae successfully metamorphosed to postlarvae with highest survival of 51.6% in Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ ratio of 2.5. In Experiment‐V, eight larval cycles were run with water quality used in Experiment V, where all the cycles produced PL's with a survival rate of 20–67%. In Experiment VI, the larvae were reared in Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ ratio of 2.5 and different levels of K⁺ to optimize its requirement. The ISW amended with K⁺ 80% ~ SW and Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ ratio of 2.5 was found to be commercially suitable for the seed production of GFP.     

Effects of dietary Bacillus pumilus on growth performance,innate immunity and digestive enzymes of giant freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Bacillus pumilus on the growth performance, innate immunity and digestive enzymes of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Prawns (mean weight: 1.81 ± 0.01 g) were fed different levels of B. pumilus at doses of 0, 1 × 10⁷, 1 × 10⁸ and 1 × 10⁹ CFU/g to produce one control group and three experimental groups (G1, G2 and G3), respectively. After a 60‐day experimental feeding period, the results showed that the final weight, weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly higher in experimental groups than in the control (p < 0.05), whereas these improvements did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) among experimental groups. The improvements in phagocytic activity, respiratory burst (RBs) activity and the activity of catalase (CAT), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and acid phosphatase (ACP) were significantly higher in G2 and G3 than in the control and G1 (p < 0.05). Further, the activity of CAT, NOS and ACP significantly increased with an increase in the dietary level of B. pumilus (p < 0.05). The activity of phenoloxidase (PO) in G3 was significantly higher than that in the control (p < 0.05). The activity of amylase was significantly higher in the groups G2 and G3 than that in the control group. G3 improved the activity of protease compared with the control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that the potential use of B. pumilusat a dose of 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g feed could improve the growth, immunity and digestive enzymes of M. rosenbergii.     

Genetic parameters of survival for six generations in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Genetic parameters were estimated for survival of Macrobrachium rosenbergii using a fully pedigreed synthetic population formed by three introduced strains. The data included 107 398 progeny from 394 sires and 654 dams in six generations with a nested mating structure. The variance components and genetic parameters were estimated using a generalized linear mixed model with the probit link function. Available heritabilities in survival from the generation G₃ to G₅ ranged from 0.007 ± 0.020 to 0.066 ± 0.044 (P > 0.05) using a model that included the common environmental effect (c). Across generations, low heritability (0.016 ± 0.012, P > 0.05) was estimated using the model with inclusion of the c effect. There were statistically significant differences in the heritability estimates between different ponds for most generations. Moreover, the genetic correlation of survival between ponds over six generations varied from low to high (?0.0007 ± 0.17 to 0.80 ± 0.069) and was significantly different from unity. There were low correlation coefficients (?0.039 ± 0.096 to 0.342 ± 0.081) between body weight estimated breeding value (EBV) and survival EBV of families in different generations. The low heritabilities for survival are most likely caused by low genetic variation in the founder populations and reduced genetic variation because of consecutive selection.     

Effects of replacing dietary fish oil and squid liver oil with vegetable oils on the growth,tissue fatty acid profile and total carotenoids of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the complete substitution of either fish oil (FO) or squid liver oil (SLO) with crude palm oil (CPO), canola oil (CO) sunflower oil (SFO) or linseed oil (LO), as the sole added lipid source in diets fed to triplicate groups of giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (initial weight = 0.42 ± 0.01 g) for 6 weeks. Prawns fed the CO or SLO diets showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) specific growth rate than those fed the FO or CPO diets. The feed conversion ratio of the prawns was significantly better when fed the CO diet, compared with the FO, CPO, SFO and LO diets. The muscle eicosapentaenoic acid content of prawns fed the vegetable oil (VO) diets were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from those fed the FO diet, although all VO‐based diets led to a significantly lower docosahexaenoic acid content compared with prawns fed the FO or SLO diet. The whole‐body total carotenoid content was significantly lower for prawns fed the SLO diet compared with prawns on the CO or CPO diets. The successful use of VO instead of marine‐based oils in prawn diets will likely reduce feeding costs associated with M. rosenbergii aquaculture.     

Histopathological changes in giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man 1879) fed with probiotic Bacillus licheniformis upon challenge with Vibrio alginolyticus

The effect of dietary supplementation of probiotic bacterium Bacillus licheniformis on the histopathological changes in Macrobrachium rosenbergii juveniles (4.0 ± 0.02 g) challenged with known pathogenic strain of Vibrio alginolyticus are reported. Two isocaloric basal diets supplemented with probiotic bacteria B. licheniformis (1.0 × 10⁹ cfu/g feed) and other without probiotic supplementation were fed to the M. rosenbergii juveniles for 45 days. The histological observations revealed no significant changes in the hepatopancreas and gut tissues of both the experimental and the control groups which indicate that the present bacterium is a safe candidate probiont for the host. Prawns were challenged with V. alginolyticus after 45 days of feeding with probiotic diet. The histopathological studies of the hepatopancreas revealed that M. rosenbergii fed with probiotic‐supplemented diet showed less changes as compared to the prawns fed with control diet on second and fourth day of post‐experimental challenge with V. alginolyticus. Histopathological observations revealed that the gills of the prawns fed with control diet were severely affected in comparison to the prawns fed with probiotic‐supplemented diet after challenging with V. alginolyticus. Results from this study revealed the improved protection by dietary incorporation of B. licheniformis in reducing the histopathological manifestations due to V. alginolyticus infection in freshwater prawn.     

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.     

Harvesting,post‐harvest handling and live‐transport of freshwater prawns in the United States

Freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii aquaculture continues to expand in the United States though is still a relatively small industry. Innovations continue to improve efforts in harvesting with novel harvest basin designs and concrete internal pond aprons. Purging and holding strategies are more defined. Some producers are now investing in water re‐use systems to extend holding times for many days, making prawns more readily available for market. The lucrative live‐market, which historically has had many challenges, seems poised for success when following new protocols which address handling and oxygen stress.     

Dynamics of glucose in the haemolymph of female giant freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii,influences reproductive and non‐reproductive moulting cycles

Glucose, when measured in haemolymph, has been found to reflect a useful predictor of energetic investment. This study evaluated the pattern of glucose in the haemolymph, with an attempt to gain a better insight into the role of glucose as nutritional source of ovarian development and energy reserves during reproductive and non‐reproductive moulting cycles. The haemolymph of female giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, was obtained at eight different moulting stages, and levels of glucose were determined using an enzymatic colorimetric glucose‐oxidase method in parallel with a histological examination of ovarian development. Glucose levels were relatively low (0.15 ± 0.02 mg mL^?1) at D₀ stage, an abrupt increase (0.52 ± 0.13 mg mL^?1) during premoult D₁ stage and declined (0.32 ± 0.10 and 0.31 ± 0.09 mg mL^?1) during premoult D₂ and D₃ stages, respectively; thereafter, a slight increase (0.43 ± 0.09 mg mL^?1) occurred at post‐moult A stage. The progression of ovarian growth, marked by an increasing gonadosomatic index (GSI) pattern during the reproductive moulting cycle (C₀–D₃ stages), was directly proportionate to fluctuations in glucose levels. GSI was significantly positively correlated with glucose (R = 0.40; P < 0.05). In contrast, glucose was notably higher at post‐moult A and premoult D₂ stages during non‐reproductive moulting cycle, the period during which glucose is crucial for exoskeletal chitin synthesis. At this particular stage, a negative correlation between body weight and glucose (R = ?0.36; P < 0.05) was observed. The dynamics of glucose in the haemolymph of female M. rosenbergii correlated with ovarian growth, which signify that glucose as nutritional source for vitellogenesis, and affects the body weight of this species.     

Multiple dietary administrating strategies of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) on enhancing the immune responses and disease resistance of giant freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii

The different products of Eichhornia crassipes leaves including dried E. crassipes powder (DEP), hot‐water treated E. crassipe (HTE), hot‐water extract of E. crassipe (ECE) and dreg of hot‐water extract of E. crassipe extract (dECE) were produced and incorporated into the diet of the prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, as an immunostimulant. Results showed that prawn fed the HTE‐, ECE‐ and dECE‐containing diets for 4 months had increased total haemocyte count, different haemocyte count, phenoloxidase activity, respiratory bursts, superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione peroxidase activity especially in HTE and ECE treatments. The phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency against Lactococcus garvieae of prawn fed the HTE‐ and ECE‐containing diets were significantly higher than those of prawn fed the control diet at 2–4 months. The relative percentage survival of prawn fed the DEP‐, HTE‐, ECE‐ and dECE‐containing diets for 4 months following 144 h challenging with L. garvieae were 19.0%, 38.1%, 38.1% and 33.3%. It was concluded that E. crassipes leaves containing an active component which was easily extracted by hot water can enhance innate immunity and resistance against pathogen of M. rosenbergii by dietary long‐term administration, and the administration of HTE in the diet was the best strategy due to the availability and convenience.     

Molecular isolation and characterization of a haemocyanin of Macrobrachium rosenbergii reveal its antibacterial activities

Haemocyanin is a multi‐subunit protein complex found in the haemolymph and is involved in the immune system of crustaceans. In this study, a haemocyanin gene of Macrobrachium rosenbergii, designated MrHc, was successfully isolated. The MrHc gene contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 1,992 nucleotides, encoding a protein of 663 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 76.5 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence contained distinct structural motifs of the haemocyanin superfamily, including an all‐alpha domain, a copper‐containing domain and an immunoglobulin‐like domain. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the MrHC protein demonstrated a close relationship with the haemocyanins of Palaemon carinicauda and Macrobrachium nipponense. The MrHc gene was expressed in various shrimp tissues, including the hepatopancreas, gill, haemocytes, stomach and muscle. After Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) challenge tests, the MrHc gene was up‐regulated 237‐fold at day 2. A recombinant protein of the MrHc immunoglobulin‐like domain exhibited antibacterial activity against Vibrio vulnificus, V. parahaemolyticus, Aeromonas caviae, A. veronii, A. hydrophila and Bacillus cereus. This study suggested that MrHc may play important roles in the shrimp innate immune response to MrNV infection and bacterial infection.     

Immunomodulatory effect of recombinant RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase protein of Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus in giant freshwater prawn M. rosenbergii

The present study evaluated the role of recombinant RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) protein of Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) in modulating the immune response and in reducing MrNV load in infected prawn. In the first experiment, prawns (25–30 g) were injected with recombinant RdRp protein (RP) at a concentration of 0, 1.0 and 10 μg, and immune parameters and expression of some immune‐related genes were measured up to 14 days post injection (p.i.). In the second experiment, early juveniles were injected with a similar dose of RdRp and animals were challenged by immersion with MrNV. The infection status was detected in muscles by nested RT‐PCR up to 21 days post challenge. Prawn injected with higher concentration of RP showed significantly higher total haemocyte count at different period post injection. Significant up‐regulation of immune‐related genes was observed within 24 h in prawn treated with lower dose of RP and after 7 days p.i. at higher level of RP injection compared with adult control. Most of the tested samples (63%) were found to be RT‐PCR positive for MrNV at 48 h of post‐immersion challenge. After 14 days, MrNV was detected only in control prawn, while both RP‐injected groups were MrNV negative. This study elucidated the potential viral load reduction role played by RdRP in MrNV‐infected prawn.     

Growth performance and survival of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae fed coloured feed

This study examined the behavioural response on the preference and acceptance, growth performance and survival of Marcobrachium rosenbergi larvae fed with isonitrogenous and isolipidic yellow (YCF) and blue (BCF) coloured feed. In the behavioural response test, single and paired feed drop test of YCF and BCF were introduced at the middle of a tank about 15–20 cm from the edge of the white colour tank wall to larvae zoea IV–VI. The number of larvae attracted to each coloured feed was recorded. For the growth and survival performance, each coloured feed was fed to triplicate groups of larvae (zoea V–VI) at stocking density of 30 larvae/L in 12 ppt brackish water for 28 days until they reached postlarval (PL) stage. In the behavioural test, the number of larvae that attracted and accepted the BCF was significantly higher than those fed YCF (p < 0.05). The body weight and length of PL fed BCF was 28% and 5.6% bigger than those fed YCF respectively. However, the survival of the PL was almost similar in both treatments. This study shows that the freshwater prawn larvae were attracted more to the BCF and able to detect and capture the preferred BCF by vision and this contributed to higher growth of the larvae.     

Productive performance of juvenile freshwater prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii in biofloc system

The aim of this study was to compare two rearing systems for freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii: one with use of a recirculating aquaculture system with biofilters (RAS) and another with use of microbial flocs (F). Thirty postlarvae of freshwater prawn with an initial average weight of 0.13 ± 0.05 g were randomly stocked in six experimental units with 0.20 m² and volume of 50 L. The experiment lasted thirty days. Dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH were monitored daily; ammonia concentration was determined three times per week; nitrite concentration, alkalinity and hardness were measured weekly. For the formation of microbial floc, molasses was used to keep the ammonia concentrations within safe levels for prawn farming. The variables of water quality remained within the suitable range for the production of the species, except for ammonia concentrations at the F treatment, which exceeded the safe levels. At the end of the experiment, the following parameters were evaluated: survival, specific growth rate, weight gain and feed conversion rate. Differences were found only in feed conversion rate with better values on RAS treatment. The microorganisms present in the RAS and F treatment were also evaluated. The densities of rotifers, amoebas and total bacteria were higher at the F treatment although the same organisms were found at the RAS treatment. The results of this study showed the possibility of rearing M. rosenbergii in biofloc system technology.     

Growth performance,muscle biochemical constituents,amino acid and fatty acid compositions of the giant freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii,fed with herb‐incorporated diet

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of herbs such as Ocimum sanctum, Phyllanthus amarus and Solanum trilobatum on the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, postlarvae (PL). These herbs were powdered and incorporated at 5% with the basal diet separately and in a combination. The M. rosenbergii was fed with these feeds for a period of 90 days. Results indicated that significant (P < 0.05) improvements were observed in the survival, nutritional indices (weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio), proximate muscle biochemical constituents (total protein, amino acid, carbohydrate and lipid), profiles of essential amino acids and fatty acids of prawns fed with herb‐incorporated feeds. Among these herbs supplemented, P. amarus produced significantly (P < 0.05) better performance followed by S. trilobatum and O. sanctum. However, prawns fed with these herbs combination showed an insignificant (P > 0.05) improvement in survival and growth performance when compared to individual supplementation. Hence, this study suggests that the herbs (O. sanctum, P. amarus and S. trilobatum) can be used as a supplementary feed for a sustainable development of freshwater prawn culture.