Effect of different salinities on growth and survival of the juvenileprawn Macrobrachium tenellum (Smith, 1871)

The effect of different salinities on growth and survival of juveniles of the prawn Macrobrachium tenellum was studied. The different treatments consisted in placing the organisms at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 ups by triplicate in glass tanks (10 org / tank) for a period of 40 days. Balanced feed for shrimp 35% PC was supplied daily at a rate of 10% of the total living biomas per tank. The treatments with 0 and 10 ups showed 100% survival. Total mortality of the prawns was observed from 35 ups and higher. The prawns in treatment at 10 ups had a total weight gain (0,229±0,001 g), TCE (1,54±0,01) and IP (84,98±0,36%) which were significantly higher than the other treatments (P<0,05). A reduction of these parameters was observed as salinity increased. The potential isosmotic point for juvenile M. tenellum, under the conditions stated, is about 10 ups.