Intensive production of juvenile tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon: An evaluation of stocking density and artificial substrates

Tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon were intensively grown from PL 15 for 56 d in tank systems at stocking densities of 1000 and 2000 shrimp m − 3 , with and without the addition of artificial substrates (AquaMat® (buoyant and non-buoyant) and polyethylene mesh) at each density. Shrimp growth was significantly greater at the lower density and when substrates were added. Mean shrimp weight at harvest ranged from 0.64 ± 0.06 g (2000 shrimp m − 3 , no added substrate) to 1.17 ± 0.01 g (1000 shrimp m − 3 , added substrate). Survival was high and averaged 79.5 ± 2.7% across all treatments. The addition of substrates significantly increased survival at both stocking densities; however, survival was not significantly affected by stocking density. A maximum harvest density of 1645 shrimp m − 3 and biomass of 1.27 kg m − 3 were produced at a stocking density of 2000 m − 3 with added substrates. Both harvest density and biomass significantly increased with stocking density and addition of substrates. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) of formulated feed was significantly lower when substrates were added. The results show that growth of P. monodon juveniles was inversely related to stocking density during intensive production. However, production output was significantly increased by addition of artificial substrates, which enhanced both growth and survival.