Fresh Water Prawn By Sultan Fish Seed Farm

Macrobrachium rosenburgii is a big sized palatable prawn found in abundance in rivers, fields and low salinity areas of estuaries. Ever since unplanned commercial export of prawns started, their number has depleted to a great extent. Ling (1969) had suggested the plan to operate a hatchery to produce annual 1 million oungs or M. rosenburgii for stoking and culturing. The prawns collected from ponds, rivers or fields are transferred to the tanks which are particularly aerated. The transport of these collected prawns should be performed in plastic bags with oxygen or in bamboo with aquatic plants.

For the purpose of fertilization one pair (one male and one female) of prawn only should be kept in an aquarium of 60 liter capacity. After sometimes mating takes place and the female starts egg lying for about 24 hours. For commercial exploitation the spawning has to be planned. Spawning tanks of different sizes should be prepared viz, 200 * 100 * 40 cm, which would be suitable for 10 pairs and 300 * 150 * 40 cm for 24 pairs. The proper aeration of the spawning tanks is most important. At the same time proper care for the cleanliness of the tanks is also to be taken.