In this study, we assessed the feasibility of culturing Farfantepenaeus paulensis in cages at different stocking densities during autumn (from April to June) in the Patos Lagoon estuary. Juveniles with mean weight of 4.95g (± 1.69 SD) were stocked in cages at densities of 20, 40, 80, 100 and 120 ind/m² of bottom. Shrimp were fed daily by-catch items (Micropogonias furnieri) ad libitum. Survival and wet weight were estimated at 20, 40 and 60 days after the beginning of the trial. Water temperature varied from 11 to 24°C (mean = 17.1°C), whiles salinity ranged from 3 to 26 (mean = 17.5). Survival rates at densities of 20, 40, 80, 100 and 120 ind/m² were 65%, 68%, 46%, 52% and 43,3%, respectively, being significantly higher at 20 and 40 ind/m². After 60 days, shrimp stocked at 20 and 40 ind/m² reached over 8.0g, which were significantly higher than those reared at 80, 100 and 120ind/m². The highest biomass (356g/m²) was obtained at 120 shrimp per m². Up to 250 to 350 g of shrimp with mean weight of 6.5 to 8.0g were produced per m² even at the highest stocking densities (40 to 120 ind/m²). Survival rates of shrimp reared at 20 and 40 ind/m² may be considered satisfactory, whereas growth rates where negligible after temperature dropped below 18°C. The present results confirmed the negative effect of stocking density on shrimp growth, being recommended the stocking of at the most 40 to 120 ind/m². Although the feasibility of culturing F. paulensis in cages during autumn in southern Brazil was demonstrated.
Farfantepenaeus paulensis; cages; stocking densities; off-season culture
