Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (Herklots, 1857), the largest of the indigenous West African Palaemonidae prawns, has a high potential for aquaculture. However the protocol of culture of this species is still under study. Thermal limits are narrower for the early stages of Macrobrachium spp and some temperatures may reduce the survival of embryos and juveniles. This present study was therefore undertaken to assess the effect of temperature on embryonic development and offspring quality of M. vollenhovenii in order to ascertain the optimum temperature required for embryonic and larval development.
In the phase one experiment, females at stage V of gonadal development incubated their eggs at three experimental temperatures and their embryonic development was evaluated. In phase two, larvae were reared at the respective temperatures for 30 days at a stocking density of 30 larvae per litre of water.
Seven embryonic developmental stages (fertilisation, mitosis, morula, blastula, gastrula, nauplius and larvae) were observed and influenced by temperature. The incubation periods were 19, 14 and 13 days at 26 °C, 28 °C and 30 °C, respectively. A temperature of 30 °C resulted in higher broodstock mortality (33.33%) (Table 1). Offspring quality was significantly different between treatments from day five onwards, with the fastest development at 30 °C followed by 28 °C (Table 2). However, larval survival rate was significantly higher at 26 °C (31.7%) followed by 28 °C (27.6%). A temperature of 28 °C could therefore be recommended as the most favourable for embryonic development and larviculture of M. vollenhovenii. These findings will help bridge the knowledge gap with respect to captive breeding and hatchery technology for M. vollenhovenii.