GROWTH OF JUVENILE SHRIMP METAPENAEUS-MONOCEROS FED WITH SQUID AND MUSSEL

Small juveniles of both sexes and females of large juveniles of Metapenaeus monoceros attained faster growth with squid diet. Males of large juveniles registered better growth with mussel diet. No significant difference was observed in moult weights between diets within the size class, but weight increment per moult showed significant difference with diets in small juveniles. Faecal output in both size classes was more in those fed mussel, suggesting low conversion efficiency. Fatty acid composition showed variations between the feeds. Present results showed that an appropriate proportion of squid meat in formulated feeds would enhance growth of penaeid shrimps.