Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico). White shrimp. [Penaeus setiferus]

Technical Report · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:6381946

Muncy, R J

They are prepared to assist in environmental impact assessment. The white shrimp, Penaeus setiferus, is the second most abundant species in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery, the most valuable fishery in the United States. It serves as food for many fishes and is sold in the bait industry. Spawning occurs in at least 27 ppt salinity at water depths of 8 to 31 m, from April through September. Postlarvae move on flood tides into inshore estuarine nursery areas; peak abundances are in June and September. Juvenile white shrimp move farther inland than do brown shrimp and prefer shallow water with soft substrate. Growth of 1.6 mm per day occurs at water temperatures above 20/sup 0/C before the shrimp move offshore when inshore waters begin to cool in fall. Juveniles and adults return inshore when water temperatures increase in fall or the following spring. Survival at 8/sup 0/ to 30/sup 0/C was related to temperature and salinities. Juvenile and adult white shrimp are omnivorous, selective-particulate, benthic feeders. Population abundance has been correlated with coastal marshes and freshwater inflows. Maintaining suitable nursery grounds will decide the future of Gulf Coast white shrimp resources. 71 refs. 2 figs.

• Research Organization: Mississippi State Univ., Mississippi State (USA). Mississippi Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
• OSTI ID: 6381946
• Report Number(s): FWS/OBS-82/11.20; TR-EL-82-4; ON: TI86900190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARTHROPODS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BASELINE ECOLOGY
CARIBBEAN SEA
COASTAL WATERS
CRUSTACEANS
DECAPODS
ECOLOGY
ECOSYSTEMS
ESTUARIES
GULF OF MEXICO
HABITAT
INVERTEBRATES
LIFE CYCLE
MORTALITY
POLLUTION
SEAS
SHRIMP
SURFACE WATERS
WATER POLLUTION