Observations on the ingression and distribution of larval prawns in the Nethravati-Gurupur estuary, Mangalore

The spatial and temporal distributions of larval prawns of penaeids and non-penaeids in the estuarine waters of Mangalore were studied. Larvae appear to be passively brought in by the incoming flood tides to the estuary, enjoy a wider distribution throughout the estuarine complex with abundance towards the mouth. The distribution of larval prawns was more in Nethravati than in the Gurupur stretch. The influence of temperature, hydrogen-ion-concentration, salinity and dissolved oxygen on the distribution of larvae in the estuaries is discussed. Inference on spawning seasons of commercially important prawns in the neighbouring waters has been arrived at based on their larval abundance.

Succession of bacterial genera during iced storage of three species of tropical prawns, Penaeus indicus, Matapenaeus dobsoni and M. affinis

The native bacterial flora of ocean fresh tropical prawns, Penaeus indicus, Metapenaeus dobsoni and M. affinis was more or less similar, mainly consisting of Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Moraxella and Arthrobacter. A definite succession of bacterial genera during iced storage was observed in these prawns. As the day of ice storage increased, the proportion of Acinetobacter and Moraxella also increased considerably and constituted 70-78% of the flora at the time of spoilage. Spoilage by Pseudomonas was very not significant in prawns under iced storage.

A simple method of tagging prawns

The recognition of individual animals is crucial to many aspects of research. Prawns (Penaeus monodon) present unique difficulties in this respect since they molt regularly. Thus, almost all tagging and marking methods developed for prawns so far have proven inadequate. Some tags or marks are lost during molting; others cause injury to the prawns. A new and efficient method has been developed at the Igang Seafarming Station of the Aquaculture Department. Rectangular brass tags measuring 5 mm by 20 mm and numbered consecutively are used. The prawn is held gently but firmly at the base of the carapace with the left hand while the right hand slips the brass tag around the stalk of the unablated eye and presses the tag gently. All tagging must be made under water to avoid stress. From May 29 to September 7 1977 to a total of 348 unilaterally-ablated adult female prawns were tagged on the unablated eyestalk in 5 batches to enable individual observations on gonadal maturation, molting, and growth. Periodic examinations were made four times a month to coincide with the different phases of the lunar cycle. On each examination, survival and recovery rates were recorded. The data included death due to immediate mortality during ablation and loss to cannibalism for the duration of the experiments. In all five tagging experiments, most of the prawns recovered had their tags intact. These included even dead and molting animals. The eyestalk tagging method is suitable for prawns because the tags can be attached without causing injury and has no effect on the rate of growth, maturity, molting and behavior of the animal. The tags are identifiable and permanent; they remain attached to the animal even after death.

Comparison of sensory characteristics and biochemical parameters in commercial frozen prawns

Commercial samples of frozen shrimp of different styles of presentation and size grades were tested for sensory, physical (cooked yield and pH) and biochemical characteristics (moisture, total nitrogen, water extractable nitrogen, nonprotein nitrogen, alpha amino nitrogen, total volatile nitrogen and trimethylamine nitrogen). The test results are compared and correlated. The order of preference of the samples were HL>PUD>P & D. There was significant correlation between sensory score of cooked sample and WEN, NPN and ∞ – NHsub(2)-N values. TVN and TMA-N did not exhibit any correlation with sensory score. It is inferred that in quality measurement of frozen shrimps of commerce the quantity of water soluble components and the total dry matter can be used to support the sensory test results.

Length-weight relationship of two palaemonid prawns, Macrobrachium idella and M. scabriculum: a comparative study

Length-weight relationships of two commercially important freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium idella and M. scabriculum, have been worked out separately for the two sexes of the two species. 't' test showed that growth departs significantly from the isometric growth in the case of both sexes of M. idella and in the female of M. scabriculum. Therefore, the cubic formula W = CL^3 may be applied only in the case of males of M. scabriculum. In all the other cases W = CL^n may be followed.

Two new records of palaemonid prawns from Indian waters

Descriptions with suitable illustrations of two species of palaemonid prawns - Macrobrachium aemulum and Palaemon (Palaemon) concinnus are furnished. M. aemulum has been enjoying an isolated distribution in New Caledonia. It is reported for the first time from India and is therefore a clear case of discontinuous distribution. Studies revealed that M. aemulum is distinct from M. nobilii and the reasons for separating the two species are discussed. New distributional records for P. (P.) concinnus in the south-west coast of India are also given.

Solid loss and weight gain in prawns during storage in ice

Loss of solids from and gain in weight of meat of whole prawn and prawn meat stored in ice has been studied to explain the mechanism of solid loss. Two stages are identified in this phenomenon. In the first stage water is absorbed without loss of solids resulting in a maximum increase in weight. In the second stage both solids and water are lost resulting in gradual decrease in weight from the maximum reached but not reaching the original weight. It is inferred that whole prawns stored in ice up to two days give the maximum peeled yield without loss of nutrients and at the same time making the peeling process easier.

Improvement in quality and shelf-life of whole dried prawns

A simple and effective method is suggested to improve the quality and shelf-life of commercial whole dried thelly prawns (Metapenaeus dobsoni). Treatment of whole prawns in 10% brine containing 0.1% citric acid for 20 min followed by drying in sun yield a product having good physical, chemical and organoleptic characteristics. Retardation of fungal incidence, reduction in total volatile nitrogen (TVBN) and improvement in flavour are some of the advantages of the treatment. The treated product has a shelf-life around 30 weeks compared to 20 weeks for untreated control and 7 weeks for commercial sample.

Preliminary histological study of the ovarian development of the giant tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon

This study was undertaken to determine structural characteristics within the gonads which might serve as an index to age and longevity and furnish information on the frequency of spawning of an individual.

Preliminary study on the internal genital organ of the giant tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon

This report gives information on the anatomy of the internal genital organs of male and female Penaeus monodon.

Polyculture of milkfish (Chanos chanos) and tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon Fab.) with and without supplemental feeding

Twelve 1,000 m super(2) earthen ponds were used to compare the growth rates, survival and production of milkfish (Chanos chanos)) and prawn (Penaeus monodon ) in monoculture and polyculture systems in shallow brackishwater ponds and without supplemental feeding. The low production and survival rates obtained were attributed to the lack of natural food; the high salinity during the first month of culture could be one of the causes of the high mortality of prawn observed in both mono and polyculture systems. Although the results of the trial were not ecouraging, it is possible that high yields may be obtained from the combination of the 2 species given enough natural food and favourable water conditions.

Catch composition of penaeid prawns caught with fish corrals at Batan Bay, Philippines

The study was undertaken to ascertain the commercially important species of penaeid prawns caught in Batan Bay, Philippines and their abundance in fish corrals. A total of 12 species were commercially caught: Penaeus monodon, P. semisulcatus, P. merguiensis, P. indicus, P. latisulcatus, P. japonicus, P. canaliculatus, Metapenaeus ensis, M. endeavouri, M. dalli, M. elegans, and Trachypenaeus fulvus.

Effects of different types of feeds on growth and production of tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon at Bagerhat region, Bangladesh

An experiment was carried out in farmers' gher (shrimp farm) at Bagerhat sadar upazilla, Bagerhat to ascertain the effects of three different types of feeds on the production and economics of brackishwater shrimp, Penaeus monodon for a period of 120 days. There were three treatments such as T1 (BFRI dough feed containing of 30% fish meal, 10% protein conc., 10% soya meal, 15% mustard oil cake, 18% rice bran, 5% maize, 10% wheat flour, 1% oyster shell powder and 1% vitamin premix), T2 (Commercial diet Saudi-Bangla grower) and T3 (Saudi-Bangla special feed). Each treatment had two replicates and the stocking of shrimp in each gher was 3 nos/m². Water quality parameters did not differ significantly among the treatments except water depth. Average production and net return of shrimp in different treatments varied from 404.0 to 509.0 kg/ha and Tk. 56,493.99-Tk. 84,209.60, respectively. T2 showed significantly (p<0.05) the highest production and economic return. The result of the study implied that T2 is more suitable and economically viable than that of other treatments for shrimp farming.

Effect of delayed icing on the quality of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon Fab.)

Effect of delayed icing on the quality of Penaeus monodon iced after three hours of harvest was studied in plastic and bamboo baskets. After harvest of three hours at ambient temperature (28°-32°C), ice was added to the shrimp at a ratio of 1:1 (shrimp:ice) and stored for 21 hours in both the baskets. Quality evaluation was carried out through visual assessment, biochemical analysis and microbial analysis for 24 hours. The organoleptic evaluation and scoring was done from the time of harvest treated as 0 hour and the average score was 10. At 9th hour after iced condition quality of shrimp was found reduced to the next stage (acceptable) with a score ranged from 8.4-6.5 in both baskets. This acceptable stage was observed throughout the experiment for bamboo basket whereas in the plastic basket the quality was reduced to a small extent with a score of 6.4 (moderately acceptable). Till the end point of the experiment the quality of shrimp was acceptable in respect to biochemical analysis. The microbial load was found log sub(10) 3.99±0.12 cfu/g to log sub(10) 4.33±0.21 cfu/g and log sub(10) 4.01 ±0.12 cfu/g to log sub(10) 4.83±0.19 cfu/g in the bamboo and plastic basket respectively. The importers or buyers suggests for immediate icing to maintain good quality but results of the present experiment suggest that the quality does not vary drastically for first three hours.

Suitability of commercially available Bacillus probiotics on growth, survival and production of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon Fab.)

Different forms of Bacillus probiotics was assessed in the earthen ponds on tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) culture. The experiment was designed with three different treatments depending on the mode of application (T1=oral probiotics; T2=spreading probiotics and T3=oral+ spreading probiotics). The shrimp was cultured for 120 days with the stocking density of 6-PL/m².Oral probiotics in the respective ponds were supplied with feeds. Whereas, spreading probiotics was applied to the pond water during pond preparation at 30, 60 and 90 days of culture period. Results of the experiment revealed that, all forms of Bacillus probiotic had effective role to keep the culture environment friendly in terms of mineralization of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus content in bottom sediment; holding of water transparency in a congenial state, increasing the density of planktonic biomass and boosting the THB-Vibrio ratio in water and sediment with insignificance (p>0.05) difference between different treatments. Whilst, spreading form of Bacillus pro biotic showed higher weight gain (27.58±1.18g), survival rate (70.75±8.54%) and production (1167.66±109.62 kg/ha) and expected lower FCR (1.81 ±0.06) values with significant difference (p<0.01) with others methods of application, indicated its superiority in tiger shrimp culture.