Effects of Temperature on Growth and Protein Assimilation in Juvenile Leader Prawns <i>Penaeus monodon</i>

Abstract

Abstract.— The effects of temperature on growth and protein assimilation in leader prawns Penaeus monodon were evaluated. Growth of leader prawns was significantly ( P &lt; 0.05) affected by temperature. The highest growth rate was 0.124 g/d at 32.0 C and optimum growth occurred between 27.5–32.0 C. Growth was described by an equation of the form: W t = W o e kt ( R 2 = 0.99). The relationship between temperature and growth was described by a curvilinear equation of the form: Y = a + bX + cX 2 ( R 2 = 0.70). Apparent protein assimilation efficiency was not significantly ( P &gt; 0.05) affected by temperature.