Scaling Up of Stocking Density of Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) under Improved Farming System in Khulna Region of Bangladesh

Aims: Scaling up of stocking density of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) under improved shrimp farming system in the Khulna region of Bangladesh.

Study Design: Completely randomized design (CRD) with three treatments each with three replicates.

Place and Duration of Study: In the farm station of Gazi fish culture ltd. at Koilashgong, Khulna, Bangladesh between March to June 2011.

Methodology: Nine ponds were selected and all ponds were prepared according to the general pond preparation system. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tested post larvae (PL15) were stocked at three different stocking densities i.e. 8 pcs/m2 (T1), 15 pcs/m2 (T2) and 22 pcs/m2 (T3). Commercial shrimp feed were supplied to all the treatments. Feed were adjusted according to the body weight gain of shrimp. Probiotics were applied in all the treatments to prevent diseases and maintain water quality parameters. Monthly water samples were collected for analysis and growth parameters were measured.

Results: Results showed that all the water quality parameters were within the optimum range. Highest survival was found in T2 (82±4) and lowest was recorded in T3 (68±2) (P<0.05). Harvesting size of shrimp varied from 29.0±1.53 g to 38.5±0.5 g. Harvesting size was smaller in T3 than in T1 and T2 (P<0.05). Stocking density of 15 and 22 pcs/m2 exhibited the highest production of 4635.1±128 kg/ha/crop and 4328.7±138.2 kg/ha/crop respectively whereas, T1 showed lowest (2431.3±35.2 kg/ha/crop). It was observed that two crops can be found from each pond/year. Net profit calculation showed that highest net profit was found in T2 compared to other treatments (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The research showed that stocking density of tiger shrimp 15 pcs/m2 is the optimum density for improved shrimp farming system in Khulna region of Bangladesh