Nursery life of the marine prawn, Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers) in the Mandovi estuary, along Goa Coast, India

Abstract

The nursery phase of Metapenaeus dobsoni was sequentially traced in the Mandovi Estuary of Goa (west coast of India). Peak postlarval ingression occurred between November and March. Of the total, 83.5% was distributed at the lower reaches of the estuary. Seasonal variation in abundance was discernible. Initial growth occurred in the shallow region of the estuary bordered by mangroves and later in the deeper waters of the open estuary. Optimum attainable size in the estuarine environment was 50-60 mm. Salinity did not seem to play a decisive role in their immigration and growth