EFFECT OF SALINITY ON SURVIVAL AND LARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE AFRICAN RIVER PRAWN, MACROBRACHIUM VOLLENHOVENII (HERKLOT'S 1857) OF THE CROSS RIVER ESTUARY

Abstract

Laboratory investigations was conducted to gain a better insight into the effect of changing salinity regime on the development and survival of Macrobrachium vollenhoveli larvae. At water temperature of 28 ± 2^oC, larvae reared in the salinity range of 0 to 10 ppt showed low survival (<48%), whereas those reared at 12 – 28ppt salinity range revealed over 60% survival. Development of larvae to post larvae occurred after 43 to 63 days. These results provide a basis for capture and stocking of larvae and juveniles of the species in the pond.


KEY WORDS: Cross river, estuary, M. vollenhovenii, survival salinity, Nigeria


Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.2(2) 2003: 62-63