A Comparison of the Reproductive Performance of the Wild Pink Shrimp Species Farfantepenaeus Paulensis and Farfantepenaeus Brasiliensis in Captivity (Report‪)‬

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare the reproductive performance of the wild shrimp species Farfantepenaeus paulensis and Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis in captivity. The broodstocks were collected in offshore waters in Santa Catarina and transferred to the Marine Station of Aquaculture of the Federal University of Rio Grande. Broodstocks with a similar body weight between the two species were selected to measure reproductive performance. Females with mature ovaries were identified each day to obtain measures of reproductive performance. After spawning, fertilization rates were determined by microscopic examination. In addition, three samples of 100 eggs were collected to determine hatching rates, and three samples of 100 nauplii were collected to evaluate the rate of metamorphosis to protozoa. For males, spermatophores were manually extruded, weighed, and homogenized in 2 mL calcium-free saline solution, and 0.1 mL trypan blue was added. Sperm counts, abnormal cells (malformations of the main body or absence of the spike), and dead cells (blue coloration) were estimated with cell counts, using a hemacytometer under a light microscope. Spermatophore melanization was checked. The larval production of the two species was similar, but F. brasiliensis spawned in less time after unilateral eyestalk ablation. The spermatophore weight and sperm count were higher in the F. brasiliensis males, and none of the shrimp showed melanization. KEY WORDS: pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus, broodstock, sperm quality, larval production