Development of a brood stock of the jumbo tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon Fabricius

Abstract

The full-scale cultivation of sugpo, P. monodon Fabricius, could only be realized if there is an assurance of continuous supply of fry. Obviously, a steady supply will depend largely on the availability of spawners. In December 1975, roughly after 2 1/2 years of intensive study, for the first time in the world, SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department has succeeded in inducing P. monodon to mature and produce normally the first generation of postlarval fry, thereby successfully effecting the completion of P. monodon's life cycle while in captivity. Another significant study the Department has initially carried out which could help augment and stabilize the supply of spawners and eventually stimulate the establishment of more prawn hatcheries and the development of ponds for prawn culture as a major export-oriented, dollar-earning industry, is the possible development of ovarian rematuration of spent spawners.