EFFECTS OF SALINITY ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF INDIAN WHITE SHRIMP (PENAEUS INDICUS)

This study was conducted the optimum salinity for culture of White Indian shrimp juvenile (Penaeus indicus) in Bandar Emam Khomeini fisheries research station in summer 2002. Five levels of salinity (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ppt) with four replicates were used in this trial. 35 specimen of White Indian shrimp juvenile (PL35) with mean weight of 0.26:t0.024g have been cultured for 60 dayes in 300 liter fiberglass tanks that each tank was filled with 200 liters water and stocked with 20 shrimp juveniles for estimating the growth and survival rates in different salinities. Results showed that salinity was significantly (P<0.05) affected on growth and survival of P. indicus juveniles. Highest increase in mean weight and the maximum final mean weight of juvenile, highest increase in carapace length and maximum C.L. and also the lowest FCR observed in 30 ppt salinity. According to the obtained results, it can be suggested that the optimal salinity for culture of White Indian shrimp is between 20 and 30ppm.