Effect of salinity on oxygen consumption in postlarvae of the penaeid shrimps Penaeus monodon and P. stylirostris without and with acclimation

The effects of salinity on oxygen consumption was investigated in cultured Penaeus monodon Fabricius and P. stylirostris Stimpson postlarvae (32 and 35 d after metamorphosis, respectively). In both species, no difference appeared between non-acclimated and fully-acclimated individuals. The metabolic rate was unaffected by salinity variations, but P. stylirostris displayed a tendency (non-significant at P<0.05) to increase respiration at lower salinities. These observations are discussed in reference to the ecology of the young prawns.