Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

On the seasonal occurrence of early juveniles of Penaeus canaliculatus (Olivier) in Kovalam Backwater near Madras with notes on their cultivationand specific identity.

Volume 30 Issue 1&2

M. Kathirvel and V. Selvaraj

Abstract

Drag net collections during night carried out in the bar mouth area of Kovalam Backwater near Madras has indicated the seasonal occurrence of early juveniles of Penaeus canaliculatus during May-July 1986. Healthy and live juveniles numbering 100 were reared in an enclosed sandy-bottom pond for a period of 90 days, during which time, they grew from an initial size of 45 mm to 119 mm, registering a monthly growth of 24.6 mm in total length. The colour pattern observed in early juveniles of the species has been compared with that of P. japonlcus, a closely related species occurring in the study area. The photographs are provided as a guide for easy identification of these two species in their juvenile stages. The possibility of utilising this new seed resource in the context of prawn culture in the sandy lagoon areas is discussed

Date : 31-12-1988