Assimilation of aquatic macrophytes in Penaeus monodon

Abstract

The macrophytes Najas graminea and Ruppia maritima are common aquatic plants found in brackishwater ponds in the Philippines. The assimilation efficiencies of these plants by male and female Penaeus monodon (30-40 g wet wt.) were determined using the ash-free method of Conover (1966). Ruppia maritima was assimilated significantly better (70-76%) than N. graminea (40-47%). The assimilation efficiency values were significantly higher in the female shrimp for both plants.