The effects of salinity and temperature on the growth and survival rates of juvenile white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, Boone, 1931

The growth and survival of Penaeus vannamei postlarvae was measured at temperatures of 20, 25, 30 and 35 degrees C and salinities of 20, 30, 35, 40 and 50 parts per thousand. Groups of 30 animals were used in each combination of conditions, in triplicate, The results clearly show that juveniles of this species have their best survival between temperatures of 20 and 30 degrees C and salinities above 20 parts per thousand. Best growth was obtained between temperatures of 25 and 35 degrees C, with little difference being noted among salinities. Survival and growth coincide best at around 28 to 30 degrees C and 33 to 40 parts per thousand. Calculated overall production was shown to be best in these conditions. The results demonstrate a high coincidence between the experimentally determined optimum conditions for production and the prevailing conditions in the coastal environment from which the animals originated. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.