Status of prawn (Penaeus monodon) feed development in the Philippines

Abstract

Approximately a decade ago the culture of sugpo or tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) was in its infancy. Prawns were stock alone together with milkfish and fed mainly on natural food present in ponds. High market prices, increase consumer demand, and availability of seeds through artificial propagationin the last six years have brought about a shift towards more intesive culture of prawns. With the advent of the monoculture and more intensive farming of sugpo has come a greater demand for an external source of food because natural food organism in the ponds would no longer suffice to meet the dietary requirements of the prawns.

The intensive culture of prawns requires knoledge of their nutrient requirements in order to provide adecquate food for growth and survival. Knowledge of their feeding habits is important particilarly in feed developmemt. Prawn culturists and nutritionists are faced not only with problems of nutritional requirements but also practical consideration such as physical feature of the diet, methods and frequency of feeding, feeding behavior and feeding preferences at varios stage of the life cycle,effects of the food on water quality, amount of feed and types of facilities appropriate for culture.