Lately, there has been a recent increase in popularity in nano fish keeping. Critters like the cherry shrimp are growing in popularity In Australia, there are reports of people smuggling in these critters in as they’re not legal imports and some enthusiasts have even been so bold as to advertise them for sale on fish forums and the like. Although I don’t condone such activities, perhaps those that are already in Australia and provided that they are disease-free (the biggest concern for importing crustacea is the White Spot Syndrome virus), can be kept in Australia for breeding and populating the hobby.
This research paper describes the breeding behaviour and reproduction of a freshwater prawn and the observations made by the authors might be useful in breeding crustacea like the cherry shrimp. I’m keen on the idea of small scale aquaculture and intend to get more expertise in this area when I travel to Hawaii and Florida in the middle of this year.
Aquaculture Research
Volume 44, Number 3 (February 2013)
On the breeding behaviour and reproduction of the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii(de Man 1879) (Decapoda-Crustacea) under laboratory conditions
Authors: Madlen M Habashy
Author Affiliations:
no affiliations available
Source: Aquaculture Research, Volume 44, Number 3 (February 2013)
Page Numbers: 395 – 403
Available Full Text:
Full Text: Subscription Required to view full text
Format: PDF
Size: unknown
Location: Publisher’s Site
Authentication: EBSCOhost EJS
Abstract: The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergiiis one of the most common decapod species, and now getting more attention from the aquaculturists world wide due to its high market demand. It is commercially important because of its size as well as its eating flesh qualities. The breeding behaviour, reproduction and hatching of this species were observed for about 8 months during 2009. Juveniles (0.55 ± 0.177 g total weight and 2.7 ± 0.12 cm, total length) were reared in rounded fibre glass tanks (1.3 m, diameter). Pre-mating moult occurs in prawns once the ovaries ripen in their carapace cavity so as to transform the prawn into berried stage. Recorded incubation period ranged from 18 to 24 days. The number of eggs ranged from 2050 to 150 500 and the fecundity ranged from 435.2 to 3849.1 eggs. Number of hatched larvae ranged from 1825 to 123 410 larvae for females of 4.71 to 39.1 g respectively. The number of eggs carried by female prawn was directly proportional to its body weight (no. of eggs = 3441.3 wt. of female – 32 292, r2= 0.819). (fecundity = 82.066 wt. of female – 235.04, r2= 0.7779; fecundity = 317.86 length of female – 2651, r2= 0.833). Hatching rate ranged from 65% to 91%, and there was a correlation between number of hatched larvae and size of female parent (no. of larvae = 10 369 length of female – 102 965, r2= 0.8159; no. of larvae = 2792.9 wt. of female – 26 268, r2= 0.829). This study can greatly help in the management strategies of prawn hatcheries and improve its hatching technology.
Citation: Madlen M Habashy . On the breeding behaviour and reproduction of the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii(de Man 1879) (Decapoda-Crustacea) under laboratory conditions. Aquaculture Research, Volume 44, Number 3 (February 2013), pp. 395-403,
URL: http://ejournals.ebsco.com/direct.asp?ArticleID=4FCD8DA3D687DDB1CD5A
—
—
Yours sincerely,
Dr Richmond Loh
BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Vet Path), MANZCVS (Aquatics), MANZCVS (Pathobiology), DipPM.
Veterinarian | Adjunct Senior Lecturer Murdoch University | WAVMA President-Elect |
Secretary Aquatic Animal Health Chapter – Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS)
The Fish Vet, Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA.
Mobile Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services for fish and other aquatic creatures.
http://www.thefishvet.com.au
Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383
