Content

Date Expt. No. Name of the experiment Page nos

12.09.2025 1 Identification of commercially important cultivable
marine and brackishwater finfish:
12.09.2025 a. Asian Seabass Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790)
19.09.2025 b. Milkfish Chanos chanos (Forsskal, 1775)
c. Grey Mullets
d. Pearl Spot (Etroplus suratensis) (Bloch, 1790)
e. Groupers Epinephelus tauvina (Forsskal, 1775) &
Epinephelus malabaricus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
f. Snappers Lutjanus johnii (Bloch, 1792)

2 Identification of commercially important cultivable

shellfish species – Shrimps
a. Penaeus monodon Fabricius, 1798
b. Penaeus indicus H. Milne Edwards, 1837
c. Penaeus merguiensis de Man, 1888
d. Penaeus semisulcatus De Haan 1844
e. Penaeus japonicus Bate, 1888
f. Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931

3 Identification of commercially important cultivable

shellfish species – Lobsters
a. Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst, 1793)
b. Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1878)
c. Panulirus ornatus (Fabricius, 1798)

4 Identification of commercially important cultivable

shellfish species – Mud Crabs
a. Scylla tranquebarica (Fabricius, 1798)
b. Scylla serrata (Forskål, 1775)

5 Shrimp Seed Selection, Quality and Acclimatization

6 Estimation of Seed Survival and Pond Biomass in

shrimp farming

7 Measuring Turbidity with Secchi disc

Date: 12.09.2025

Expt. No.1: Identification of commercially important cultivable marine and

brackishwater finfish:
a. Asian seabass Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790)

Distinctive Characters:
Body elongate, compressed, with a deep caudal peduncle. Head pointed, with concave
dorsal profile becoming convex in front of dorsal fin. Mouth large, slightly oblique,
upper jaw reaching to behind eye; teeth villiform, no canines present. Lower edge of pre-
operculum with a strong spine; operculum with a small spine and with a serrated flap above
origin of lateral line. Dorsal fin with 7 to 9 spines and 10 to 11 soft rays; a very deep notch
almost dividing spiny from soft part of fin; pectoral fin short and rounded, several short,
strong serrations above its base; dorsal and anal fins both have scaly sheaths; anal fin
rounded, with 3 spines and 7 to 8 soft rays; caudal fin rounded. Scales large, ctenoid (rough
to touch).
Colour: two phases, either olive brown above with silver sides and belly (usually juveniles)
or green/blue above and silver below. No spots or bars present on fins or body. The eyes
are bright pink, glowing at night.
Distribution:
² The Asian sea bass is an important coastal, estuarine and freshwater fish widely
distributed in the Indo-West Pacific region from the Arabian Gulf to China, Taiwan
Province of China, Papua New Guinea & northern Australia.
² It supports commercial and recreational fisheries in Australia, and Papua New
Guinea.
Habitat & Biology:
• It is highly Euryhaline with a complex life history. It is a protandrous
hermaphrodite and catadromous fish. Inhabit freshwater, brackish & marine
habitats including streams, lakes, estuaries & coastal waters.
 • Opportunistic predators; crustaceans & fish predominate in the diet of adults.
• Fry feed on zooplankton and fingerlings on crustacean, worms, molluscs etc
• The fish has wide range of tolerance to temperature & salinity
• Spawning occurs in brackish waters of 28 to 36 ppt salinity, near river mouths.
Generally, spawns from January to August, spawning is triggered by a rise in
temperature. There is a tide based monthly cycle of spawning, spawns usually around
full moon and new moon days coinciding with spring tides.
Aquaculture Potentials:
• Aquaculture of this species commenced in the 1970s in Thailand, & rapidly spread
throughout much of Southeast Asia. Today, it is farmed throughout most of its range,
with most production in Southeast Asia, generally from small coastal cage farms.
• The fish is fast growing and commands good price in local and international markets,
hence this is one of the major aquaculture species.
• It is highly predacious and cannibalistic, which is the main difficulty in culture of
this fish. Stringent size grading is required in the culture environments.
Summary:
² Known as seabass in Asia & Barramundi in Australia, is a prime value fish
grown for luxury markets.
² It is commonly distributed in Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore,
Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar & India.
² Large, euryhaline species with a complex life history.
² Relatively hardy species that tolerates crowding & has wide physiological
tolerances
² The high fecundity of female fish provides plenty of material for hatchery
production of seed
² Hatchery production of seed is relatively simple
² It is a highly carnivorous, Opportunistic predator fish
² Feed well on pelleted diets & juveniles are easy to wean to pellets.
² Grow rapidly, reaching a harvestable size (350 g – 3 kg) in 6 months to 2 years,
can be grown in Freshwater, Brackishwater & Marine waters
² Aquaculture of this species commenced in the 1970s in Thailand & rapidly
spread throughout much of Southeast Asia.
 b. Milkfish Chanos chanos (Forsskal, 1775)
Date: 19.09.2025

Distinctive Characters:
Milkfish has a moderately compressed, spindle shaped elongated body covered with
small scales. Mouth is small, without teeth, snout is longer than the lower jaw, which has
a small tubercle at its tip. The dorsal fin is located at about the middle point of the body;
anal fin short and situated far behind the dorsal fin base. Lateral line is present. The dorsal,
anal and caudal fins have dark margins. Single dorsal fin with 2 spines and 13-17 soft
rays. Short anal fin with 2 spines and 8-10 soft rays, close to caudal fin. Caudal fin large
& deeply forked with large scale flaps at base in adults.

Colour: Body colour silvery on belly & sides grading to olive-green or blue on back.

Distribution:
² The milkfish is the only species in the family Chanidae.
² Its distribution is restricted to either low latitude tropics or the subtropical northern
hemisphere along continental shelves & around islands, where temperatures are
greater than 20 °C

Habitat & Biology:

• Adults occur in small to large schools near the coasts or around islands.
• They are well developed, migratory, large (up to 1.8 m & 20 kg), and mature
sexually in 5 years.
• Milkfish only spawn in fully saline waters, correlated with the new or full moon
phases, takes place mostly in the night and, in most regions, has one or two seasonal
peaks.
• Juveniles & adults eat a wide variety of relatively soft and small food items, from
microbial mats to detritus, epiphytes & zooplankton.
• Milkfish is a heterosexual fish.
• In natural spawning stocks the sex ratio is almost equal, with a slightly higher
amount of females.
 • The determination of sex is very difficult, because there are no easily identifiable
morphological differences between males & females. Pheromone (prostaglandin) -
an effective way to identify mature male milkfish.

Aquaculture Potentials:
• It grows up to 180 cm in length and 20 kg in weight, but the fish caught in the
sea normally range from 70-110 mm.
• The fry and fingerlings feed on microscopic algae.
• The fish grows to about 50 cm in length weighing 500 – 800 g in brackish water
ponds.
² In ponds milkfish feed mainly on filamentous algae (Lab-lab) at the bottom along
with associated microorganisms and detritus.
• The fish can be fed supplementary feed such as rice bran, oil cakes and other feed
stuffs.
• Resilience is low, with a minimum population doubling time of 4.5 - 14 years.

Summary:
² The milkfish is one of the most ideal fish for coastal aquaculture
² Fast growth rate in the first year of its life
² Wide range of tolerance to DO, Temp. (from 15 - 40oC but the optimum is
between 20-33oC) & Salinity (highly euryhaline & can live in fresh to hyper-
saline waters)
² Feeds on algal mats at the bottom (Lab-lab)
² Resistance to most diseases & parasites
² Adults occur in small to large schools near the coasts or around islands.
² They are well developed, migratory, large (up to 1.8 m & 20 kg), and mature
sexually in 5 years.
² Usually cultured in monoculture systems; can also be polycultured with mullets
& shrimps
 c. Grey Mullets

Mugil cephalus Liza macrolepis

Liza tade

Ø Important cultivable fishes in brackish water ponds

Ø Their culture dates back to ancient times.
Ø Are herbivores & detritivores, feeding low in the tropic level
Ø Require less supplementary feed
Ø Have high growth rates
Ø Tolerant to higher temperatures and salinities, hence can be grown in tropical
& sub-tropical areas
Ø Mullet have thick-walled gizzard-like segments in their stomach along with a
long gastrointestinal tract that enables them to feed on detritus
Ø They are an ecologically important link in the energy flow within estuarine
communities
Ø Generally, Polycultured with other fish & shrimps
Ø Among the 14 species only some are cultivable
Ø Mugil cephalus is the fastest growing larger sized mullet which is very widely
distributed in the tropics & the subtropics
Ø Other important cultivable species are Liza macrolepis & Liza tade
 d. Pearl Spot (Etroplus suratensis) (Bloch, 1790)

Ø Commonly known as “Karimeen” in Kerala is an indigenous fish extensively

found along the east & south-west coasts of Peninsular India.
Ø It is an important candidate species for aquaculture in ponds in both brackishwater
& freshwater environments.
Ø It is cultured in traditional ponds in Kerala where it is considered a delicacy
fetching a high price
Ø Though growth is slow, at a high stocking density table-size fish can be
harvested in 9-12 months culture period.
Ø Since the fish is monomorphic, sex differentiation is difficult
Ø Seed of pearlspot is available throughout the year along the east & south-west
coasts of India.
Ø A simple method of seed collection is adopted taking advantage of the tendency
of the fish to congregate in large numbers for feeding on epiphytic growth
 e. Groupers Epinephelus tauvina (Forsskal, 1775) &
Epinephelus malabaricus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Epinephelus tauvina

E. malabaricus

Ø Important group of fishes for coastal aquaculture

Ø Epinephelus tauvina and E. malabaricus of the family serranidae have robust,
somewhat compressed, oval-oblong & elongated body
Ø There are 11 spines and 14-16 soft rays in the dorsal fin & 18-20 rays in the
pectoral fin
Ø A large blackish blotch is present at the base of the last four dorsal spines
extending on to the lower part of the fin in E. tauvina but absent in E.
malabaricus, which possesses about five, more or less distinct & slightly oblique,
irregular bars on the body
Ø Also, three dark blotches are present on the inter-opercle in E. malabaricus
Ø The head & body are greyish, covered with small, dull, orange-red to dark brown
spots
Ø They grow to 50-65 cm & to 100 cm respectively
Ø Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore & Malaysia are the major producer of groupers
in sea cages
Ø Groupers are suitable for culture in net cages, as well as in ponds
Ø Wild seed collection is the major source of seed for culture of groupers.
 f. Snappers Lutjanus johnii (Bloch, 1792)

Ø The snappers has high value in the domestic & international markets
Ø Golden snapper or red snapper are the preferred species
Ø Lutjanus johnii is culture in Malaysia & Singapore
Ø It has a moderately deep body with a straight or slightly convex head profile
Ø The dorsal has 10 spines and 13 to 14 soft rays.
Ø Longitudinal scales above the lateral line are parallel to it and those below the
lateral line are horizontal
Ø The body has a reddish or bronze - silvery colour with a dark spot on each scale,
forming a series of dark streaks in the body
Ø A large black blotch may be present above the lateral line in the junction between
spinuous & soft part of the dorsal
Ø The fish grows to a maximum length of about 70 cm; but the common sizes are 40
- 60 cm in length
Ø Red snapper feeds on invertebrates & fishes
Ø Inhabits shallow waters & mangrove areas besides the sea up to a depth of about
80 m
Expt. No.2: Identification of commercially important cultivable shellfish species –
Shrimps:

a. Penaeus monodon Fabricius, 1798

Ø Called as Giant tiger prawn - largest of the marine shrimps

Ø Attains a max length of 365 mm & 440 g in weight
Ø Found in the Indian Ocean & western Pacific.
Ø Juveniles & sub-adults are found in estuaries, backwaters & mangrove areas while
mature adults are caught from the sea
Ø Can tolerate very low salinities, fastest growing, hardy & suitable for
aquaculture
Ø Generally dark coloured, with the carapace & abdomen transversely banded
with black & white
Ø Found at depths from 0 to 110 m, inhabiting bottom mud & sand.
Ø It is even grown commercially at salinities of 1 - 5 ppt
Ø Females have closed-type thelycum.
Ø Attains maturity at about 200 mm size
Ø Fecundity is 2 - 19 lakh eggs at a size range of 200 to 260 mm
Ø Females are commonly larger than males.
Ø Since 2002, production of P. monodon has been unofficially reported to have
declined, particularly in Thailand and Indonesia, because of substitution by
Litopenaeus vannamei in many farms.
 b. Penaeus indicus H. Milne Edwards, 1837

Ø Commonly known as Indian white prawn

Ø Distributed from Goa to Kanyakumari on the west coast & throughout the east
coast
Ø Rostrum slightly curved at tip & sigmoidal-shaped, usually bearing 7 to 9 upper
teeth (including those on carapace) and 3 to 6 lower teeth
Ø Colour: body semi-translucent, somewhat yellowish white (small specimens) or
greyish green & covered with numerous minute dark brown dots
Ø Size: Maximum body length 23 cm (females) & 18.4 cm (males), usually less
than 17 cm.
Ø Juveniles are caught extensively in estuaries, adults are found in the sea
Ø Attains maturity at about 13 cm size
Ø Spawning takes place in deeper waters
Ø Fecundity is 68,000 to 73,000 eggs per individual
Ø The contribution of P. indicus to global farmed shrimp production is small –
about 1.2 % in 2005.
Ø Currently, P. indicus is mainly cultured in Saudi Arabia, Viet Nam, Islamic
Republic of Iran, & India.
Ø Production in India declined markedly from over 5,200 tonnes in 2004 to 1,100
tonnes in 2005, due to preference for Penaeus monodon.
 c. Penaeus merguiensis de Man, 1888

Ø Commonly known as Banana shrimp, has triangular rostral crest

Ø Has discontinuous & restricted distribution
Ø Found South of Maharastra to Goa & North Karnataka along the west & in TN,
Andhra Pradesh & Orissa on the east coast
Ø Max size - 240 mm & attains maturity at a size of about 140 mm
Ø On an average it produces about 4.5 lakh eggs per spawning
Ø The juveniles are found in the estuary but adults migrate to sea for maturity &
spawning
Ø Although P. merguiensis does not grow as fast as P. monodon, their ability to
mature & spawn in captivity and their short life cycle ensures a consistent
production of PL & great opportunity to domesticate the species.
Ø There are also several additional advantages of culturing P. merguiensis such
as the low cost of broodstock, ease in larval rearing & potentially low feed
cost.
 d. Penaeus semisulcatus De Haan 1844

Ø Commonly called Green tiger prawn

Ø Found in large quantities in the Gulf of Mannar & Palk Bay.
Ø Minor fishery exists in Gujrat, Kerala & AP
Ø Juveniles of this species are not found in estuaries unlike the other cultivable
shrimps of India
Ø The shrimps prefer shallow areas of the sea where luxuriant growth of sea grass is
found. Depth 2 to 130 m.
Ø Max total length 180 mm (Male), 228 mm (Female). Matures at a size of about
130 mm & breed almost throughout the year
Ø In India it is more common on the east than on the west coast, but it is not as
important commercially as P. monodon
Ø It plays a role in the ricefield shrimp farming in the Ganges delta.
 e. Penaeus japonicus Bate, 1888

Ø Commonly called Kuruma shrimp

Ø The kuruma shrimp is one of the largest penaeid shrimp & commercially
important species in Japan
Ø It is native to the Indian Ocean & the SW Pacific Ocean.
Ø It inhabits inshore waters up to 90 m deep on sandy mud & sandy bottoms.
Ø It can survive & grow at low water temp (10 oC).
Ø Surface of the shell is smooth & rostrum bears 8-10 spines dorsally & 1-2
ventrally
Ø The maximum size is 27 cm in length & 130 g in body weight.
Ø Fecundity of 7 lakh for 17 cm female.
 f. Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931

Ø Commonly called Whiteleg Shrimp

Ø Native to the eastern Pacific coast of Central & South America
Ø Inhabits areas where water temp are normally >20 oC throughout the year.
Ø Adults live & spawn in the open ocean, while postlarvae migrate inshore to spend
their juvenile, adolescent & sub-adult stages in coastal estuaries, lagoons or
mangrove areas.
Ø The first spawning of this species was achieved in Florida in 1973
Ø A current trend in culture of P. vannamei is low-salinity inland production
Ø Males become mature from 20 g & females from 28 g onwards at the age of 6 - 7
months.
Ø P. vannamei weighing 30 - 45 g will spawn 1,00,000 - 2,50,000 eggs of
approximately 0.22 mm in diameter.
Ø Hatching occurs about 16 hours after spawning & fertilization.
Ø Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) broodstock available and TSV free seeds are
produced, thereby replacing the Black Tiger Shrimp as the dominant shrimp
species farmed worldwide.
Date:
Expt. No. 3: Identification of commercially important cultivable shellfish species –
Lobsters
a. Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst, 1793)

Ø Common name: Mud Spiny Lobster

Ø Lobsters are the most highly priced commodity
Ø Max body length 37 cm
Ø Carapace rounded & moderately curved with spines & tubercles
Ø Antennular plate with a single pair of anterior spines.
Ø Abdomen without groves
Ø Body colour dull greenish. Each abdominal segment with a distinct transverse
band of white colour along the posterior margin
Ø Legs with indistinct blotches & short stripes
Ø It is generally associated with muddy sea bottom & found in max abundance
along Maharashtra & Gujarat coast
Ø Spiny lobsters - heterosexual & strictly marine throughout their life
Ø Attain maturity at the age of 2 - 2.5 yrs & reproduce in inshore waters
Ø Aquaculture: very slow growth rate - difficulty in producing seed in hatcheries
due to very poor survival
Ø Undersized lobsters caught by fishermen are collected by the growers & cultured
in suitable enclosures to marketable size through appropriate feeding schedule &
water quality management – FATTENING
Ø In India - no commercial lobster fattening or culture is being undertaken
 b. Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1878)

Ø Common name: Scalloped spiny lobster

Ø Medium sized lobster growing to about 30 cm in length
Ø Carapace rounded with numerous spines
Ø Antennular plate bearing two equal pairs of spines & many scattered smaller
spines in between
Ø Abdominal segments grooved transversely, grooves sometimes interrupted
medially
Ø Colour of body dark greenish to blackish
Ø Lateral border of each abdominal segment with a white circular spot
Ø The lobsters are carnivorous & nocturnal
Ø Feed on bottom dwelling organisms & decaying animal matter
Ø The most preferred food is bivalve molluscs, polychaetes & fish
Ø Growth - faster in the early stages & they attain 20 – 25 cm in the first two years.
Afterwards the growth rate is very slow being 2-3 cm per year
Ø They have a life span of 7-8 years
Ø This species coexists with P. ornatus in the rocky coastal areas from Trivandrum
to Cape Comorin, Gulf of Mannar & Chennai.
Ø P. homarus is dominant in southern areas, while P. ornatus is dominant in
Mandapam area
 c. Panulirus ornatus (Fabricius, 1798)

Ø Common name: Ornate spiny lobster

Ø The largest species under this genus
Ø Grows to about 50 cm
Ø Carapace rounded & covered with numerous spines & tubercles
Ø Antennular plate bearing two pairs of spines, the anterior pair being much larger
than the posterior
Ø Abdominal segment smooth, without transverse grooves.
Ø Body colour grayish brown
Ø Each abdominal segment with a broad dark transverse band & two large white
spots on either side
Ø Legs with black & light-yellow stripes
 Date:
Expt. No. 4: Identification of commercially important cultivable shellfish species –
Mud Crabs

a. Scylla tranquebarica (Fabricius, 1798)

Ø Crabs rank third in their importance as gourmet food and the value of fishery they
support after shrimps & lobsters
Ø Scylla tranquibarica and Scylla serrata are the larger ones attaining sizes of 0.5 to
2.0 kg & suitable for culture
Ø They are known as mud crabs, green crabs or mangrove crabs
Ø They prefer muddy & sandy bottoms
Ø They breed in the sea & megalopa onwards migrate to the estuaries
Ø Males are bigger than females of the same age
Ø They are omnivores feeding on shrimps, bivalves & fish among other food items
Ø They are continuous breeders with peaks at different times in different places.
Ø Free living unlike S. serrata which burrows into the substratum.
Ø Outer margin of carpus of chelipeds with 2 sharp spines.
Ø Colour of upper surface of body light to dark green
Ø Polygonal marking on all walking and swimming legs
 b. Scylla serrata (Forskål, 1775)

Ø An ecologically important species of crab found in the estuaries and mangroves of

Africa, Australia, and Asia.
Ø Commonly known as Gaint mud crab
Ø Outer margin of the carpus of cheliped with one blunt spine
Ø Colour of the carpapace greenish brown to ferruginous brown
Ø No polygonal markings on legs
Ø Lower surface of the fixed finger of cheliped dark to pinkish red in colour
Ø S. serrata burrows into the substratum
Ø Scylla serrata is the larger of the two species growing to a max size of 3.0 kg
Date:
Expt. No. 5: Shrimp Seed Selection, Quality and Acclimatization

Introduction:
The most suitable species for culture in India are the Pacific Whiteleg shrimp P.
vannamei, tiger prawn P. monodon and the Indian white prawn Penaeus indicus. The
stocking density varies with the type of system adopted and the species selected for
the culture. As per the directives of Supreme Court only traditional and improved
traditional shrimp farming can be undertaken within the Coastal Regulation Zone
(CRZ) with a production range of 1 to 1.5 t/ha/crop with stocking density of 40,000
to 60,000/ha/crop. Outside CRZ extensive shrimp farming with a production range
of 2.5 to 3 t/ha/crop with stocking density of 1,00,000/ha/crop may be allowed.
Quality shrimp seed is the key to the success of the shrimp farming. Therefore,
choosing the right one with high quality is essential to get optimal results. Several
tests are performed to determine the quality of shrimp seed. Among them are PL
quality, origin and reputation of the hatchery, visual and stress evaluation, and other
tests to detect if pathogens are present.

Seed selection:
Selection of good quality seed for stocking into a pond is the first important step of
the shrimp grow-out management. The farmer must ensure that he or she gets healthy
seed by purchasing them from reliable hatchery or hatcheries. It may not always be
possible to obtain the desired shrimp seed due to limitations in availability and
quantity. The following parameters should be taken into consideration in purchasing
shrimp seed for stocking.
(i) Uniform Size
The first characteristic of high-quality shrimp seed can be seen from the uniform
sizes of the shrimp seed. This uniform size indicates that the shrimp seed grows
normally and receives the same nutritional intake. In addition, the uniform size of
shrimp seeds can also prevent cannibalism and competition for food with each other.
Seeds of PL 15-20, indicated by the appearance of 4-6 spines on the rostrum, are
recommended for stocking in a pond. Practically, seed from the first and second
spawning of a broodstock with uniform size can be used.
(ii) Morphology - Not deformed
The external physical condition of the shrimp seed should also be examined. Healthy
shrimp seed must have complete and well-developed limbs. From the tail that is not
curved, the eyes and eye stalks are perfectly shaped, to the utterly intact swimming
legs. The post larvae should have normal appearance of trunk, appendages and
rostrum. The abdominal muscle must be clear, no discoloration or erosion on any
parts of the body.
(iii) Fully Filled Gut
A shrimp seed is healthy when it has a filled intestine which is a sign that it is eating
well. On the other hand, shrimp seed with an empty gut condition can mean that the
shrimp seed has no appetite or is even experiencing stress. The healthy PL should
 have the muscle-to-gut ratio in the sixth abdominal segment of about 4:1 or the
thickness of the gut should be about the thickness of the muscle.
(iv) Color
Post larvae with the presence of pigment cells in the uropods should be used since
this indicates the stage of development. PL that will have high survival and growth
rates will be light gray, brown to dark brown and black in colour. Signs of red or pink
coloration are normally related to stress.
(v) Behavior- Move Actively
Shrimp seeds should move by actively swimming here and there, which is done by
activity testing. This is because the shrimp seeds are sensitive to external stimuli.
Healthy seed swim straight, respond rapidly to external stimuli such as a tap on the
side of the basin, actively swim against the current when the water is stirred, and
cling to the sides rather than aggregate or be swept down into the center of the
container when the current has subsided.
(vi) Pathogen Free
The shrimp farming industry has been affected several times by outbreaks of diseases
caused by viruses and bacteria. Therefore, it is crucial to know whether the seed is
free of diseases. This is done to prevent the farmers from losses. Usually, a
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test is carried out through a strict population
sampling protocol to determine whether it is genuinely disease-free. Seed should be
checked for the presence of viral occlusion bodies. Seed with large numbers of
occlusions indicate stress conditions and will not so vigorous in the pond.
(vii) External Fouling
Seeds should be free from external parasites, bacteria and other fouling organisms.
The presence of these organisms indicates unhealthy conditions, which will affect
growth and survival of the PL. It is recommended that before purchasing, the farmer
should visit the hatchery to check the seed once or twice either in the early morning
or late afternoon, especially one day prior to stocking. However, healthy seed with
some fouling may be used when the animals are in good condition after treatment.
(viii) Pass the Stress Test
Minimizing stress on shrimp seed is a top priority during the hatchery process, during
transportation to the pond, until the stocking time. This is because stressed shrimp
seeds, when released into the environment to grow, will be potentially hostile to each
other and less likely to survive.
(ix) It comes from a Trusted Hatchery
Finally, to get shrimp seed of the highest quality, the farmer can get them from a
trusted hatchery or certified hatchery. With a well-monitored hatchery process,
farmers don’t have to worry about the quality of the shrimp fry they buy.

Stocking Density:
When a farm is ready for operation, the optimum stocking density of PL in a pond
should be determined in accordance with the production capacity of the farm and the
culture system, which include the soil and water quality, food availability, seasonal
variations, target production, and farmer's experience. It is recommended that
 farmers should start a new crop with a low stocking density to access the production
capacity of the pond. If production is successful, then the stocking density could be
increased for subsequent crops. Overstocking should be avoided since it may result
in management problems and loss of entire production.
The stocking density between 10-20 PL/m2 is usually practiced in a semi-intensive
culture. In an intensive culture, a well-managed pond with consistent good water
quality can stock up to 25-30 PL/m2 at 1.2 m water depth and up to 40-50 PL/m2 at
1.5 m water depth or deeper. However, it must be emphasized that intensive cultures
involve high densities and can only be sustained in well-managed farms under an
experienced farmer.

Technique of Stocking:
Proper stocking techniques will prevent unnecessary mortality of seed. The following
methods have shown excellent results.
(i) Transportation
Seed are normally transported in plastic bags. The bags are usually filled up to 1/3
with water, oxygenated and then placed inside styrofoam boxes. If the transportation
is longer than 6 hours, small bags of ice should be added into the boxes to reduce the
water temperature and maintain it at 20-22oC. The densities of PL in a bag are 1,000-
2,000 seed/l for PL 15 and 500-1,000 PL/l for PL 20. The ideal time for transportation
is in the early morning or evening to avoid excessively high temperatures during the
day, unless a covered vehicle is used.
(ii) Acclimation
To eliminate stress, the seed should be maintained in water of constant salinity for at
least 1-week prior to transfer. The adjustment of salinity by about 3 ppt daily is
advisable. Acclimation of seed to the water pH and temperature of the pond must be
rendered upon arrival. Two common techniques are used for gradual acclimation of
seed to the water conditions in the pond. The first method is accomplished by placing
the seed and water from the transported bag into a tank at the side of a pond
containing an equal volume of well-aerated pond water. The seed will be kept for
0.5-1 hr before being siphoned into the pond. The second method, the most favorable
one, is to float the plastic bag in the pond until it has reached equilibrium. The bags
are opened one by one and pond water is added gradually to an equal volume. After
a further 30 min of acclimatization, the seed are released directly into the pond by
distributing them throughout the area of the pond or into a nursing system. The actual
numbers of seed at stocking can be estimated by counting the PL individually in 3-5
bags with a spoon or small net to attain the average number in each bag and multiplied
by the total number of bags.
(iii) Nursing of Shrimp Post Larvae
To ensure high survival and adequate feeding of seed during the first 2-3 weeks, some
farms may stock the PL in a separate nursing pond or a small impoundment, usually
 5-10 % of the total pond area, within the culture pond. The nursing system will help
in concentrating the seed in a limited area until they reach PL 30-40 and in more
accurate monitoring for survival and feeding of the PL. However, it appears that the
separate nursing pond system may lead to some unfavorable results in that the size
of the PL varies widely, (‘broken sizes'), and the seed difficult to harvest and would
experience stress during harvest and transport to the culture pond. As a result, a
farmer prefers to nurse the seed in an impoundment installed inside the pond, rather
than in a separate pond. Recently, some farmers employ a system in which high
densities of seed (100-200 PL/m2) are stocked into a pond for 1-2 months, then
approximately half of the juveniles are transferred to another pond by large lift nets.
The same acclimation process should be performed during seed and juvenile
stocking.
In a very intensive pond (stocking density greater than 30 PL/m2) where the nursing
impoundment is not available, a survival pen may be installed to estimate the survival
of the seed during the first 2 weeks after stocking to allow accurate feeding
management. The survival pen may be a small net pen or happa of approximately 1
m2 containing 100 seed or a large net pen of usually 10 m2 at 100 PL/m2 stocking
density. In the small pen, the seed can be counted accurately while the seed in the
large pen may be counted by using a 1 m2 lift net placed with 10% of the feed. In
this method, seed should appear in the lift net at 3-4 days after stocking and the
number of shrimp in the net should be counted at 2 hours after feeding once daily.
The survival number of shrimp can then be estimated.
If the survival rate during the nursing period is less than 50%, the problems that cause
this initial mortality must be identified and rectified and the addition of more seed
should be considered. Seed can be added up to 30 days post-stocking without causing
a variation in size at harvest. If the survival is less than 30%, the pond should be
drained and prepared for a new crop. Some farmers release seed directly into the
pond. In this direct stocking method, the survival number of seed during the first 2
weeks post stocking may not be accurately estimated, since the shrimp will not
approach the feeding trays during this period.

Conclusion
The key to success in shrimp farming is the quality of what is cultivated. Therefore, when
choosing seeds, pay attention to the above before deciding to buy.
 Date:
Expt. No. 6: Estimation of Seed Survival and Pond Biomass in shrimp farming

Introduction
During shrimp farming, farmers must constantly monitor the condition and growth
of shrimp in the ponds. This is usually done through periodic sampling of the shrimp.
Sampling involves periodically observing the shrimp by taking several specimens
from each pond for further examination. This activity is crucial to prevent adverse
events in shrimp farming, such as disease outbreaks or suboptimal shrimp growth.
What is Shrimp Sampling?
Shrimp sampling is the periodic observation of shrimp by taking several specimens
from each pond for further examination. This is done to assess shrimp growth and
condition and estimate their feeding requirements.
Sampling is typically conducted periodically from the time the shrimp post-larvae
(PL) are stocked in the ponds until shortly before harvesting. Shrimp can be collected
from different parts of the pond or through netting and then physically examined and
tested in the laboratory.
Objectives of Shrimp Sampling
1. Assessing Shrimp Condition
One of the main objectives of sampling is to assess the condition of the shrimp. The
observations from sampling serve as a basis for making decisions related to shrimp
farming treatments. For instance, if signs of disease are detected, the farmers can
promptly take mitigation measures after identifying the issue through sampling.
2. Evaluating Shrimp Uniformity
Shrimp populations are considered good when the size and weight are relatively
uniform. To determine this, sampling can be carried out at a specific age of the
shrimp, and then the weight and size uniformity can be observed. Knowing the
uniformity helps farmers plan the appropriate feed management.
3. Calculating the Survival Rate
Shrimp sampling is also useful for calculating the survival rate (SR) over a specific
period. The survival rate is determined by dividing the shrimp biomass by the initial
number of post-larvae stocked and then multiplying it by 100%.
4. Calculating Average Body Weight
The average body weight (ABW) is the average weight of shrimp in a population
during a specific period. ABW is calculated by dividing the total weight of the
sampled shrimp by the number of shrimp collected.
5. Calculating Shrimp Biomass
Biomass refers to the total weight of shrimp in a population during a specific period,
expressed in weight units. Shrimp biomass can be estimated by multiplying the
survival rate (SR) with the initial population and then multiplying it by the ABW at
a specific time.
6. Measuring Shrimp Size
Sampling is also used as a basis for measuring shrimp size. Shrimp size can be
determined by counting the number of shrimp per 1 kg. For example, if there are 90
shrimp in 1 kg, it is referred to as “size 90.”
7. Assessing Pond Bottom Conditions
Sampling can also be beneficial for assessing the condition of the pond bottom. This
can be done by observing the sediment brought up when casting the net in the pond
for sampling. Observations are made to determine if there are shrimp deaths within
acceptable limits.

Types of Shrimp Sampling in Shrimp Farming

1. Larvae Sampling
Larvae sampling is conducted to estimate the population size and quality of shrimp
post-larvae that will be stocked into the ponds. This is done by randomly collecting
a sample of larvae and transferring them to a container for further evaluation. The
larvae can be observed under a microscope, undergo stress tests, activity tests, and
their numbers are counted.
2. Corner Pond Sampling (Anco)
Corner pond sampling is done with the help of corner nets in each pond. The corner
nets are useful for capturing small-sized shrimp. Typically, anco sampling is
conducted when the shrimp have reached 25-35 days of age and are not too large.
3. Net Sampling
The last type of sampling in shrimp farming is net sampling. As the name suggests,
this sampling method involves using a net to capture shrimp from the pond. Net
sampling is usually carried out when the shrimp have reached a relatively larger size
(2.5 grams) or at around 30 days after stocking.

Conclusion
Sampling is one of the essential activities that should be carried out throughout
shrimp farming. This activity is essential for monitoring shrimp conditions and
preventing adverse events during the farming process.
 Date:
Expt. No. 7: Measuring Turbidity with Secchi disc

Introduction:
Turbidity is a measure of light penetration in water.
It is produced by dissolved & suspended substances such as clay particles, humic
substances, plankton, coloured compounds etc.
Excessive turbidity can be troublesome in fish ponds and flow-through systems.
Turbidity caused by plankton is usually desirable since it enhances fish production.
However, turbidity caused due to clay and other colloidal particles in undesirable since it
can choke the gills of fish and shellfish.
It can also restrict the growth of phytoplankton.

• Water turbidity in ponds is commonly measured with the Secchi disc.

• It is a round disk having a diameter of 30 cm (Marine).
• The disk is divided into quadrants, two opposite quadrants are painted white and the
other two black.
• The disc is attached to a rope or cable marked in increments.
• A measurement is taken by lowering the disk into water body until it just disappears
from sight
Procedure:
² Go out between 10 am and 3 pm on a bright, calm day since the angle of the sun and
waves can affect readings.
² Also, never wear sunglasses while making the reading because this can affect
visibility of the Secchi disk.
² Lower the Secchi disc into the water on the shady side of the boat.
² Keep lowering the disk slowly until it disappears.
² Note the depth on the cord.
² Slowly pull the disc up until you see it again.
² Note the depth on the cord.
² Average the 2 depths to the nearest mark on the cord and usually its expressed in
centimeters.
² Optimum Secchi disc visibility in extensive and semi-intensive ponds is 25 to 40 cm.
² Record the average depth on the Secchi data sheet along with the date and time of the
reading.

Observations: