Cold tolerance at three salinities in post-larval prawns,Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man)

Post-larval Macrobrachium rosenbergii acclimated to 27, 22, or 16°C and 5, 8, or 14 ‰ were temperature-shocked to 16°C or $\text{13°}\text{16°}\text{C}$ for 1 week. Survival was significantly better in animals acclimated to 22°C or below. Salinity had no significant effect on survival. Growth of post-larvae which had been maintained at 16°C or below for 3 weeks was followed for 1 month at 27°C; it was not significantly different from that of 27°C controls. Slower growth was observed in the 14‰ prawns. These data indicate that post-larvae stocked into cool ponds from warm hatcheries might benefit from pre-acclimation to lower temperatures. Exposure to cold does not adversely affect later growth.