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Abstract
Stocking density is one of the factors having significant effect on larval performance of ornamental shrimp in particular and marine shrimp in general. This study was conducted in order to determine an appropriate stocking density for larval rearing of harlequin shrimp. Newly hatched larvae were reared in 10 liter - composite tanks using the recirculating aquaculture system with four stocking densities of 10 larvae/L, 20 larvae/L, 30 larvae/L and 40 larvae/L. Each treatment was conducted with three replicates. Results showed that stocking density had significant effects on development, survival and growth rate of larvae. In which, the shrimp were reared at 20 larvae/L and 30 larvae/L obtained a higher survival compared to those of 10 larvae/L and 40 larvae/L (9.2% and 11.1% as opposed to 6.0% and 2.6%) at the stage of Zoea X (P < 0.05). The shrimp were reared at the density of 20 larvae/L achieved the highest rate of larval transferred rate at 46.8%, followed by those of 30 larvae/L, 10 larvae/L and 40 larvae/L, ranging from 21.3 - 39.7%, respectively (P < 0.05). Final total length obtained at the density of 20 larvae/L (5.50 mm) was higher than those of 10 and 40 larvae/L (4.97 and 4.50 mm; P < 0.05) but did not differed from the density of 30 larvae/L (5.20 mm; P > 0.05). From this study, it could be seen that the densities of 20 - 30 larvae/L were suitable for larval rearing of harlequin shrimp. However, other solutions need to be done in order to improve the survival and larval metamorphosis of this kind of shrimp.
Keywords: density, harlequin, Hymenocera picta, larvae, marine ornamental shrimp.