Breeding and Culture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii; Giant Freshwater Prawn (Scampi), Practiced along the Coast of Kerala, India

Abstract

The Giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879), commonly known as Scampi, is one of the most important freshwater prawn species widely cultured in several tropical and sub-tropical countries around the world. It has several attractive attributes as a candidate species viz., fast growth rate, compatibility to grow under poly-/mixed-culture, hardy nature, high market price and demand in both domestic and export markets. Besides, it can also be cultured in low saline brackish water areas (salinity < 10 ppt). It is an indigenous species of India and is naturally occurring in most of the river systems along both coasts of India. It can be cultured alone or with compatible fish species such as Catla ( Catla catla ) and Rohu ( Labeo rohita ). It is also a suitable species for incorporating in paddy-cum-fish culture (rice-prawn farming) system. Culture of Scampi can be carried out in tanks and