Growth of Indonesian giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in a closed aquaculture system with artificial shelter

Giant freshwater prawn is a bottom feeder aquatic organism. Cannibal behavior of this prawn requires more space for its life. The bigger the size of the animal is, the wider space is required. The aim of this experiment is to reveal the growth of giant freshwater prawn cultured in recirculation system equipped with artificial shelter. The experiment was conducted by using 12 aquaria connected to biological filter to recycle the culture media water; however water addition was still performed every two days for to maintain water loss due to evaporation. Fifty percent of the water column was filled with artificial shelter made of bamboo arranged like an apartment structure. This shelter performs as additional space for the prawn to attach. Prawns were cultured in closed recirculation system equipped with an apartment with different stocking density. The closed system with 50 % apartment could be used for culturing giant freshwater prawn with good growth performance.