An hypothesis on the light requirements for spawning penaeid shrimp,with emphasis on Penaeus setiferus

Using standard equations, we have concluded that the light intensities which have been used by investigators attempting to induce maturation and spawning are up to 4000 times higher than would occur over the spawning grounds of Penaeus setiferus, a species for which successful controlled spawning has yet to be achieved. We recommend that future attempts at captive maturation and spawning with that species be conducted at light levels of no more than 12 μW cm^?2 and that the intensity at which other species of shrimp are matured and spawned be examined relative to natural light levels on their spawning grounds. It is further recommended that the need for light of blue or green color be evaluated for its role as a promotor of maturation and spawning. The intent of these modifications in current spawning procedures is to eliminate the need for eyestalk ablation in captively spawned penaeid shrimp.