Influence of temperature on larval development of Pacific brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus californiensis

The influence of water temperature on larval development of Pacific brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus californiensis was studied under laboratory conditions. As temperature increased from 22 to 30 °C, higher growth rates were recorded, as indicated by a significant linear relationship between variables. In general, the duration of each larval stage was inversely related to temperature, and the time to reach postlarval stage decreased from 18 to 10 days as temperature increased from 22 to 30 °C. Size of postlarvae ranged from 5.47 to 6.61 mm, and a quadratic equation showed a significant fit to size data in relation to temperature. Maximum size was estimated at 25.8 °C. A significant result was also obtained when fitting a quadratic equation to survival data, ranging from 41.6 to 73.5%. Maximum survival was estimated at 26.6 °C. It is concluded that 26 °C is optimal for rearing brown shrimp larvae. The implications of high sensitivity of the larval stages to changes in temperature for cultivated and natural stocks are addressed.