Effect of tagging on maturation and survival of ablated Penaeus monodon in painted and unpainted tanks

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effects of tags and tank color on reproductive performance and survival of pond-reared Penaeus monodon after eyestalk ablation. In 1986, the best over-all reproductive performance was frm eyestalk-tagged females in black tanks. Because of varying water flow through rates and loss of carepeace tags, statistical analysis was not possible. The 1987 study showed that tagging and tank color had no effect on maturation but survival rates of tagged (83.5%) in black and unpainted tanks. The 1986 results also showed lower survival rates of eyestalk-tagged females (31.2-59.0%) compared to untagged ones (90.0%).

Monitoring of rematurations (by means of eyestalk tags) showed that among ablated females, 64% spawned once, 35% a second time, and 12% a third time with a maximum of seven spawns from a single female. Uniform spawn sizes characterized first and repeat spawns but hatch rate decreased with each consecutive spawns.