USE OF AMMONIUM ALUMINIUM SULFATE FOR WATER PURIFICATION IN THE GIANT FRESHWATER PRAWN MACROBRACHIUM ROSENBERGII HATCHERY RECIRCULATORY SYSTEM

Macrobrachium rosenbergii commonly called giant freshwater prawn is one of the valuable aquatic food resources, rich in protein and commands good export markets. It is extensively cultivated in many tropical and sub tropical countries all over the world. But the major constraint for the expansion of this prawn farming is the seed supply. Though M. rosenbergii is a freshwater prawn, for breeding purpose it requires marine water. Successful establishment of freshwater prawn seed production to promote prawn culture in inland areas needs improvised breeding and culture techniques. Its farming is yet to catch up in India due to difficulties in the prawn hatchery operations. As marine water is a limiting factor in inland areas, to maintain the water quality parameters we have to depend on re-circulatory system. The results of the present study clearly show that ammonium aluminium sulfate can be effectively used for purification of water in the re-circulatory system of freshwater prawn hatchery to maintain the optimum water quality parameters for successful prawn seed production. Results of the present study revealed that the use of ammonium aluminium sulfate for the purification of hatchery water does not have any negative impact on the water quality.