2010/722 Optimising prawn nutrition for growth performance under suboptimal conditions

By Daniel Poutney

The overall aim of this project was to improve our understanding of prawn (Black Tiger Prawn, Penaeus monodon) nutrition during suboptimal conditions. During late stages of prawn production, farms are often subject to high rainfall events which rapidly reduce both salinity and temperature for extended periods of time. Prawn growth rates are reduced when exposed to suboptimal water quality for a range of reasons including changed feeding patterns and stress to animals.

This project will investigate the relationship between culture conditions (including water temperature and salinity) and growth performance in prawns, to enable the development of nutritional interventions. Two approaches will be explored: to develop high-quality commercial feeds to improve condition prior to exposure to stressors, and to explore specifically designed feeds that industry can use as management tools to prepare and optimise growth performance following extended periods of suboptimal water quality.