Growth and nutrient digestibility by male and female Penaeus monodon: evidence of sexual dimorphism

Abstract

Quadruplicate groups of 10 Penaeus monodon were grown in tanks in monosex and mixed-sex populations from 8.6 to 17.0 g (mean wet weight) over a period of 69 days. Measurements of feed intake and the apparent digestibility of dietary protein and energy were made in the second and tenth weeks of the experiment. Monosex female prawns grew significantly faster than monosex males and male prawns from mixed-sex tanks. The weight increment per moult of monosex females was greater (P < 0.05) than that of monosex males, but no difference in intermoult period was seen between any of the groups. Feed intake of monosex females tended to be greater than that of monosex males but not significantly so. No significant difference between the sexes was detected for either apparent digestibilities of dietary protein and energy or feed conversion.