Evaluation of the production potential of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) in monoculture and in polyculture with Nile tilapia and common carp in Saudi Arabia

The feasibility of polyculture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) with two fish species, Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., was examined and compared with monoculture of M. rosenbergii in 100-m2 ponds. Overall percentage of females (56.8%) was higher than that of males (43.2%). The proportions of females, males and their morphotypes did not differ significantly between monoculture and polyculture. After 196 days of culture, the mean harvest weight of prawns in monoculture (30.2 g) was significantly greater than that in polyculture (21.3 g). Yield in monoculture (1152 kg ha-1) was significantly greater than (1.62 times) that of polyculture (711 kg ha-1). Total yield from polyculture including yield of tilapia (2544 kg ha-1) and common carp (2999 kg ha-1) was almost five times as great as that of prawn monoculture. Survival and food conversion rate of M. rosenbergii did not differ significantly between monoculture and polyculture.