Experimental Study on the Salinity Tolerance of Macrobrachium idae Larvae

Abstract

The 'freshwater' prawn Macrobrachium idae Heller tolerates in nature and culture varying salinities typical of a brackish or estuarine environment. It holds promise as an amenable species for aquaculture in rural areas of developing countries. Experiments were conducted on larval survival and to determine optimum environmental conditions. During early development, larvae preferred salinities from 5 to 20 k S. In these salinities all larvae moulted after 24 h; their median tolerance limit (120 h) was 27 9 6 0 S.