Comparison of reproductive performance and offspring quality of domesticated Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

The present study was conducted to compare the reproductive performance and offspring quality of pond-reared (PR) and tank-reared (TR) Litopenaeus vannamei. There was no significant difference in the spawning frequency, fecundity, egg spawning success rate, number of eggs per spawning, and egg hatchability between the TR and PR females (P > 0.05). However, PR females matured and spawned more rapidly after ablation and more often than TR females. Significant variations in the offspring quality of the broodstock from the two sources (TR and PR) were found. The larval stage index (LSI) at zoea III (Z III), mysis III (M III), and 5 days post metamorphosis from mysis to postlarval stage 1 (PL5) was very different (P < 0.05) between the treatments. Nevertheless, the group of PR breeders resulted in significantly shorter postlarval stage periods (7 days) than the group of TR breeders (9 days) (P < 0.05). The survival percentage up to 15 days post metamorphosis from mysis to postlarval stage 1 (PL15) stage of the PR breeders was significantly higher (74%) than for the TR (56%) sources (P < 0.05). In general, the PR broodstock resulted in better offspring quality than the TR broodstock. This knowledge may also add to the development of improved hatchery protocols and help sustainable development of L. vannamei farming industry in the future.

► The reproductive performance and progeny quality of cultivated Litopenaeus vannamei were determined.
► Most of the reproductive parameters from the different broodstock sources were similar in terms of reproductive capacity.
► PR broodstock groups showed better results than those TR broodstock groups in terms progeny quality.