Laboratory maturation and spawning of the penaeid prawn Metapenaeus dobsoni in brackishwater salinities

Abstract

Experiments on maturation and spawning of the penaeid prawn M. dobsoni in different brnckishwater salinities ranging from 15 to 30 ppt were carried out in the laboratory. The results indicated that immature impregnated females collected from perennial brackishwater prawn culture fields readily matured in salinities above 26ppt. Prawns were m:lturation process had initiated, when furthermainm.ined in 20. 22 and 26ppt salinities indicating possibility of breeding this prawn in salinities as low as 22 ppt. Prawn maturation and spawning was observed to be size and salinity dependent. The details regarding initiation of maturation time taken to attain different maturity stages time of spawning and fecundity are also described.