Growth Performance Of Litopenaeus Vannamei In Response To Stocking Density Under Contrasting Salinity Conditions In Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present study was aimed at establishing information on the growth rates of Litopenaeus vannamei cultured for one crop under different salinity and stocking density conditions, namely low salinity with low stocking density, low salinity with high stocking density, high salinity with low stocking density, and high salinity with high stocking density. The average values of pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, and temperature in ponds with low salinity and low stocking density were 8.04, 5ppt, 6.0 ppm, 0.48 ppm, and 28.22°C, respectively. In ponds with low salinity and high stocking density, the corresponding values were 8.39, 6 ppt, 5.53ppm, 0.61ppm, and 28.05°C, respectively. Similarly, the average values of pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, and temperature in ponds with high salinity and low stocking density were 8.31, 20 ppt, 4.92 ppm, 0.61 ppm, and 28.64°C, respectively. In contrast, ponds with high salinity and high stocking density recorded values of 7.98, 18 ppt, 5.13 ppm, 0.66 ppm, and 28.23°C, respectively. The results clearly demonstrated that stocking density exhibited an inverse relationship with shrimp growth. Lower stocking densities resulted in superior growth performance and higher production efficiency, whereas higher stocking densities adversely affected growth and reduced production rates. The findings indicate that optimizing stocking density is essential for maximizing the growth and production performance of L. vannamei under varying salinity conditions.