Pond Culture of Penaeus monodon (Decapoda, Penaeidae) on The Red Sea Area of Sudan

In this study the effect of two stocking densities (3 and 10 post larvae/m2) on the survival, growth performance, and apparent feed conversion ratio of the giant tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon were evaluated over a period of six months in earthen ponds. The results of the study revealed that the survival rate of shrimps cultured under a low density of 3 PL/m2 (60.0%) was higher than those grown under a high density of 10 PL/m2 (50.5%). The weight gain of the shrimp was better under low density (49.82 g/shrimp) when compared to the group of shrimp grown under high density (35.2 g/shrimp). Apparently, the feed conversion ratios of the two groups grown under the low and high density were similar 3.1 and 3.2 respectively. In conclusion, a stocking density of less than 10 PL/m2 is recommended for culturing P. monodon under the climatic conditions of the Sudanese Red Sea Coast.