Effect of sediment on growth and survival of post-larval Litopenaeus stylirostris (Boone, 1931)

The sediments from four areas that are used or will be used for shrimp culture were evaluated for their effect on post-larvae growth of Litopenaeus stylirostris. Texture, organic matter, total, and bioavailable fraction of phosphorus, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, and cadmium of the sediments were measured. A positive significant correlation was obtained between total and bio-available concentrations of iron, cadmium, and manganese, but not for copper, phosphorus, or zinc. Significant differences in final weight, survival rates, and shrimp yield were obtained among treatments. The highest survival rates were obtained with sediments that had the highest manganese levels. This survival high rate was significantly correlated with total manganese content of the sediment (r=0.92). The highest final weight were obtained in treatments with sediments containing higher levels of phosphorus, which was reinforced by a significant positive correlation between final weight and total and bio-available phosphorus (r=0.94 and 0.95 respectively), while final weight seems adversely affected by high concentrations of copper (r=-0.83) in the sediment. Texture of the sediment influenced shrimp yield, with lower values for sandy sediments relative to silty sediments.