Growth of hatchery raised banana shrimp Penaeus merguiensis (de Man) (Crustacea : Decapoda) juveniles under different salinity

In order to optimise the conditions for improved production of the banana s hrimp Penaeus merguiensis in the farms, effect of salinity on growth and su rvival was studied for 4 weeks using hatchery reared juveniles. Survival wa s very poor in salinity <15 ppt. Weight progressively increased with increa se in salinity to record a significantly high growth (P<0.05) in 40 ppt sal inity (8.5 times the initial weight in 4 weeks). The results indicate that this species is suitable for cultivation in high saline waters.