Survival, growth and intermolt period of juvenile Penaeus chinensis (Osbeck) reared at different combinations of salinity and temperature

Abstract

Penaeus chinensis (Osbeck) juveniles (0.23-0.36 g) were reared at 16 combinations of salinity (10, 20, 30 and 40 ppt) and temperature (12 degrees, 18 degrees, 24 degrees and 30 degrees C) for 50 days. All shrimp survived at 20 ppt and 18 degrees C, whereas no shrimp survived at 10 ppt and 12 degrees C after 30 days. Animals at 20 and 30 ppt and at 30 degrees C grew significantly faster (P <0.05) than those at 30 and 40 ppt at 24 degrees C, and at 40 ppt and 30 degrees C. The intermolt period of shrimp was 21.5-28.5 days, 10.8-14.4 days, 8.0-8.9 days and 7.4-8.5 days at 12 degrees, 18 degrees, 24 degrees and 30 degrees C, respectively. Best growth of juvenile P. chinensis was achieved over the range 20-30 ppt at 30 degrees C.