Effect of non-steroid hormones HCG and DES on growth and maturation of Indian river prawn, Macrobrachium malcolmsonii (H. Milne Edwards).

Hormone, Pelleted feed, Growth, Maturation, Macrobrachium malcolmsonii.

The effect of two hormones HCG and DES on the growth and maturation of the Indian river prawn, Macrobrachium malcolmsonii was evaluated. Juveniles of Macrobrachium malcolmsonii (average weight : 15.50�0.40 g for male and 13.90�0.10 g for female) were fed with prepared pelleted feed (25% protein) by incorporating Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and Diethylstilbestrol (DES) at 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg l-1 concentrations respectively. After 105 days the prawn fed with HCG incorporated feed at 1.5 mg l-1 showed maximum growth for both sexes (26.50 g for male and 24.25 g for female) and high percentage of maturity (80% for male and 90% for female). The weight in- crement at 1.5 mg l-1 incorporated HCG pelleted feed was found to be higher (10.70 g for male and 10.25 g for female) compared to DES (10.25 g for male and 10.10 g for female). Feed incorporated with HCG and DES at 1.5 mg l-1 can effectively be used in Macrobrachium malcolmsonii culture for promoting growth and early maturation.