Observations on the spawning and rearing of Metapenaeus dobsoni under laboratory conditions

Abstract

Gravid females of Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers) collected from the fishing grounds oS Cochin spawned in the laboratory and the larval development was traced up to Postlarva IV. After 8-9 h of spawning, Nauplius I larvae emerged imd they reached Protozoca I, after moulting five more times in 43.30 h. Undergoing two more moults, these larvae attained Mysis I in 178.30 h. These mysis larvae metamorphosed to the Postlarva I, after passing two more substages in 321.30 h (13 days and 8 h). Brief descriptions of the various larval stages are given.