THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE UPON THE GROWTH OF LABORATORY-HELD POSTLARVAL PENAEUS AZTECUS

Abstract

1. The growth of postlarval brown shrimp, Penaeus asecus, was studied in the laboratory at constant temperatures of 15° through 35° C. 2. Growth increased with temperature up to 32.5° C. Maximal increases of growth rate per unit of temperature were observed in the temperature range of 17.5° to 25° C. 3. Survival for one month was markedly decreased at 32.5° C., and no animals survived at 35°. 4. The results suggest that in the laboratory gross production is optimal at temperatures of 22.5° to 30°C. 5. Non-lethal temperatures can have a strong effect on the time required to complete postlarval development.