Effect of different light intensities on growth, survival and chromatophore expression in juveniles of Macrobrachium tenellum

Freshwater prawn Macrobrachium tenellum is noted for its ability to change color depending on different stimuli. In order to determine the effect of various light intensities on the growth, survival and expression of chromatophores juvenile shrimp underwent four treatments 30, 600, 1500 and 3500 lx for 45 days. At the end of the experiment the growth in size and weight, amount of food consumed, feed conversion and survival were determined. The expression analysis of chromatophores was performed by its count from photos of the third somite and external uropods. Growth in height and weight of prawns subject to the different light intensities showed no differences between treatments (p ≤ 0.05) . The total consumption of food, feed conversion and survival showed no significant differences. In the number of chromatophores expressed, differences between treatments were evident; lower light intensities were different to higher. The higher light intensity increased expression of chromatophores.