Culture of Penaeus monodon in an intensified system in Taiwan

Abstract

One grow-out trial was conducted in which 600 000 postlarvae (PL25–27) tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, were reared to market size in six 0.14-ha ponds. Each pond was 2.2 m deep and equipped with two 1-hp paddle wheels. The shrimps were fed only with a commercially formulated feed zero to four times a day. After four and a half months, the yield obtained was 848–1550 kg/0.14 ha with an average of 1212 kg/0.14 ha. The unit production of this highly intensive system producing P. monodon was 8.7–21 tonnes/ha per crop. The production was compared with yields reported previously and a survey of grow-out farms. Stocking density was linearly related to unit production and mean production ha−1 day−1, and pond size had a negative exponential relationship with stocking density, unit production and mean production ha−1 day−1. The study indicated that intensified stocking and increased pond depth can elevate the productivity in a reduced impoundment.