Stocking density for freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) in biofloc system.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of stocking densities on productive performance of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in biofloc system. Experimental tanks (microcosms) with 0.20 m2 area were used as experimental units. The tanks were connected to two 300 L matrix tanks (macrocosm) with biofloc technology, used as recirculating units. M. rosenbergii juveniles, with an initial weight of 0.315 ± 0.06 g and initial length of 33.34 ± 2.26 mm, was randomly distributed in the experimental tanks at different stocking densities (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 ind m-2) and reared during 60 days. The total biomass at the end of the experiment was significant higher (P < 0.05) with the use of higher stocking density (250 ind m-2). However, prawns stocked at the density of 50 m-2 showed significant higher (P < 0.05) survival (73%) and significantly lower values (P < 0.05) for feed conversion rate (1.28). The different stocking densities evaluated did not affect the weight and length of prawns. The recommended density for growing M. rosenbergii in the biofloc system is 50 ind m-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]