The cage culture of Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis and Farfantepenaeus paulensis was analyzed in the Patos Lagoon estuary using juveniles produced in captivity. Mean initial weight of the juveniles was approximately 1.2g. The experiment was conducted in 6 cages (3 per treatment), with mesh size of 5mm and bottom area of 4m², during 65 days. The individuals were randomly distributed into two treatments (F. brasiliensis e F. paulensis), keeping the stocking density of 20 shrimps m-2 in the experimental units (cages). Each 15 days shrimps were weighted to adjust the amount of feed and to evaluate growth. In the end of the experiment, all the shrimp were weighed and counted to determine the survival. Survival did not differ significantly between F. brasiliensis (94.17±9.04) and F. paulensis (98.50±0.71). Although the mean final weight was significantly higher for F. brasiliensis (7.98±0.94g), there were no significant differences in terms of total biomass production (127.81±17.93 e 126.65±1.74g m-2) and apparent feed conversion ratio (1.39±0.27 e 1.57±0.09) between F. brasiliensis and F. paulensis, respectively. The results indicate that F. brasiliensis show potential to be cultured in alternative systems and motivate the development of the technological package for culture of this species in the Patos Lagoon estuary.
Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis; Farfantepenaeus paulensis; alternative system; cages; crustácea; decapoda; penaeidae
