EFFECTS OF ADDED ARTIFICIAL SUBSTRATE ON THE GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF JUVENILE INDIAN WHITE PRAWN (PENAEUS INDICUS)

The effects of added artificial substrates on juveniles of Indian white prawn (Penaus indicus) were evaluated. Three replicate tanks were randomly assigned to receive added substrate to increase available surface 20, 40, 60 and 80 percent. Control tanks received no added substrate. Juveniles with mean weight of 0.42±0.027gwere raised for 90 days in 5000 lit concrete tanks filled with 4000 lit of water and stocked at a density of 30 ind/m2. Growth and survival of P. indicus juveniles were studied during the culture period.
Results showed that substrates significantly (P<0.05) affected growth performances of Indian white prawn. Highest specific growth rate (SGR) and highest yield obtained in tanks with 40% added substrate in compare with other groups. Carapace length gain and survival rate had not significantly differences (P>0.05).