Development of Sustainable Inland Hatchery of Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

Abstract

Abstract- The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is a high-value aquaculture species, but its seedproduction is constrained by the larval need for brackish water. This manuscript presents a complete research-paperdraft on inland hatchery development for sustainable giant freshwater prawn aquaculture, using artificial seawater orinland saline water as the rearing mediumat Anjani Reservoir, Jalgaon Dist-Maharashtra. The study framework bysimulating required salinity using artificially prepared seawater, with larval rearing conducted at 12–16 ppt undercontrolled conditions with maintaining broodstock conditioning, induced spawning, larval rearing, water quality control,biosecurity, and post-larval management. This exhibited high larval survival, with a survival rate of 45.2 ± 2.2% from thezoeal stage to post-larval development. Larval development was satisfactory, with individuals attaining the post-larvalstage within 31 ± 2 days, resulting in a viable and consistent post-larval yield. Results from inland and synthetic seawaterstudies show that larval survival and metamorphosis are possible under controlled conditions, with survival commonlyranging around 45–55% in inland systems and higher performance under optimized salinity and husbandry. The datapresented here indicate that inland hatcheries can successfully produce viable post-larvae, reduce dependence on coastalseed supply, and support decentralized aquaculture development.