Mariculture of Indian white shrimp Penaeus indicus (H. Milne Edwards): Optimization of stocking density in modified extensive shrimp farming (MESF) system

Shrimp culture has become a part and parcel for continuing sustainable livelihood of the farmers in the coastal villages of Bangladesh. This study aimed to optimize stocking density for a disease-free and profitable Indian white shrimp (Penaeus indicus) farming. The experiment was conducted under three treatments each with three replications. Stocking density of 10 individuals m-2 was considered as treatment one (T1), 20 individuals m-2 as treatment two (T2) and 30 individuals m-2 as treatment three (T3) for farming Indian white shrimp. Generally, all the water quality parameters of the experimental ponds except the salinity were found within the optimum condition for Indian white shrimp culture. In modified extensive shrimp farming (MESF) system, T2 showed higher survival rate than any other treatments at a low salinity level. Besides, total production values were revealed very tiny gap between T2 and T3. Though the highest value of production was found in T3 but survival rate was lower than T2. Moreover, values of shrimp’s average body weight (ABW), daily weight gain (DWG), and specific growth rate (SGR) were the highest in T2. During 90 days of culture, the growth of the Indian shrimp was negative allometric (2.86), which value was about to the value (3.00) of isomerism. This study recommends MESF culture system for growing Indian white shrimp for a greater output in brackishwater farms. This investigation also suggests some future research by considering MESF system for other important indigenous shrimp species.