Search

Survival and growth of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) at three salinity levels, 5, 10 and 15 g/L were investigated in potassium deficient natural inland saline water (PD-ISW) and potassium supplemented inland saline water (PS-ISW). Shrimps reared in PS-ISW survived well, whereas total mortality occurred in PD-ISW. The survival at 45 and 60 days at the salinities of 5, 10 and 15 g/L was assessed in PS-ISW. The supplementation of potassium showed significant effect on the survival rates at different salinities. Length-weight studies at different salinities and periods of time in PS-ISW showed significant differences in the linear component, but there was no significant difference in respect to interaction of salinity and rearing periods in a two-way ANOVA repeated measures. Growth parameters indicated that a salinity of 10 g/L was best for the survival and growth of shrimps in inland saline water of the site with potassium supplementation. Individual cations and ratios between other cations were found to be equally important for survival and growth. The results of the present study will be useful in utilizing degraded ISW sites for the culture of tiger shrimp.

Potassium deficient inland saline (10 g L−1 salinity) well water was supplemented with muriate of potash to achieve 50% (57 mg L−1) and 100% (114 mg L−1) of seawater potassium concentration and used for the production of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Total mortality was observed in non-supplemented water within 6 days compared to 88.0% survival in K+100% and 85.3% survival in K+50% up to 60 days. P. monodon were subsequently cultured for 110 days in two identical 0.25-ha ponds supplied with water of 10 g L−1 and supplemented with the potassium equivalent of 35% of seawater. Survival and production were 55.8% to 64.25% and 157.70 kg (630.8 kg ha−1) to 172.75 kg (691 kg ha−1), respectively.