GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF JUVENILE PENAEUS-VANNAMEI IN LOW-SALINITY WATER IN A SEMICLOSED RECIRCULATING SYSTEM

IHHN virus-free Penaeus vannamei juveniles (initial mean weight 2.26 g ) were cultured at salinities of 2, 4 and 8 ppt for 70 days in an indo or semi-closed recirculating tank system. The stocking density of 27.5 juveniles/m(2) was maintained in all salinities. High survival rates (98.75-100%) were observed for all treatments. Final mean weights vari ed 19.0-19.28 g with a weekly growth rate of 1.67-1.7 g. No statistica lly significant difference in mean final shrimp weights and biomass lo ads was observed between treatments (p=0.05). The results of this stud y suggest that P. vannamei can be cultured in low salinity water with good growth and survival.