Winter culture of yellowleg shrimp Penaeus californiensis in aerated ponds with low water exchange

This study was conducted in the semiarid region of Bahia Kino, Sonora, Northwestern Mexico to determine the feasibility of farming yellowleg shrimp Penaeus californiensis during the winter season in ponds with less than 5% daily water exchange and aeration. Four aeration rates (0, 6, 12, and 24 h/d) were used in the study. Mean growth rates ranged from 0.41 to 0.53 g/wk with the highest growth rate in ponds with 12 h of aeration (P ≤ 0.05). Survival ranged from 50 to 52% and did not differ among treatments. Shrimp yield ranged from 1,012 to 1,208 kg/ha, with the highest yields from ponds with 6 and 12 h of aeration (P ≤ 0.05). Feed conversion ratios ranged from 2.3 to 2.8, with lower values in ponds with 12 and 6 h of aeration (P ≤ 0.05). Results suggest that winter culture of yellowleg shrimp is possible and that 6 h of aeration is sufficient to maintain good water quality conditions.