Post-nursery growout potential of Penaeus vannamei in an intensive raceway system

Abstract

A 49-day intensive growth trial in 70 m² raceways under a greenhouse was conducted with Penaeus vannamei (stocked at an average weight of 80 mg and density of 223-299 ind./m²). Shrimp grew at an average rate of 0.94 to 1.19 g/week. They were harvested at a mean size of 6.5 to 8.1 g with the biomass produced reaching 1.36 to 1.56 kg/m² and survival ranging from 78 to 83%. As biomass increased, the management of water recirculation and water exchange became more intensified. Seawater was replaced initially at a rate of 3%/day and increased to 400% daily during the final week of the study. Although this trial was undertaken during the spring in Texas when ambient morning water temperatures ranged from 18.3 to 28.3ºC, temperatures in the raceways were maintained with a mean daily low temperature of 26.8ºC and mean daily high of 29.8ºC. Shrimp cultured simultaneously in outdoor ponds were smaller (4.3 to 5.0 g) and had lower growth (0.62 to 0.71 g/week). Results obtained in this trial indicate that a larger juvenile can be produced for pond stocking and suggest that P. vannamei can be cultured successfully in this intensive raceway system to a marketable size.