2.

4; and 1% mortality apply in the population Harvest and Postharvest Handling

per week; and mean individual weight from • Drain water and collect prawns using the
samples obtained every 3 weeks) harvest net installed at the pond gate
• Feed 200 g per 10,000 postlarvae • Harvest prawns weighing at least 30 g
• Lift feeding tray after 1–3 hours and estimate
• Place the harvested prawns in a container
the feed consumed
• Feed prawns five times a day for 40 days of then sort according to size and place in boxes
culture at 6:00 A.M., 10:00 A.M., 2:00 P.M., with crushed ice to preserve quality
5:00 P.M., and 10:00 P.M. at 20%, 10%, 10%,
35%, and 25%, respectively, of the
total feeding ration

Water Management and Aeration PCAARRD Information Bulletin No. 14/2012

• Replace 10–20% of the water after 30 days of
culture from the reservoir ponds For more information, please contact:
• Allow the water from the reservoir ponds to
PCAARRD
stay for 4–5 days to replenish the water in Los Baños, Laguna
the prawn rearing ponds Tel. Nos.: (049) 536-0015 to 20
• Maintain the dissolved oxygen by using six Fax Nos. (049) 536-0016/536-7922
Email: pcarrd@pcarrd.dost.gov.ph
paddle-wheel aerators Website: http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph
• Operate four aerators alternately for 24 hours
for intensive culture system for the first
60 days
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE & INDUSTRY
BUREAU OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM
Diseases Source: ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT (BSMED)
5/F, Trade and Industry Building
• Aggression or mishandling of prawns causes 361 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave. Makati City
Trunkline No.: 751.0384
infection Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Tel. Nos. (02) 897.1693 / 897.7596 / 890.4968
• Lack of nutrients and vitamins in feeds Research and Development; Mindanao State Fax No. (02) 896.7916 l Email: bmsmed@dti.gov.ph
www.dti.gov.ph
causes pigment loss in prawns University-Naawan; Philippine Council for
Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources
• Malnutrition in prawns causes “molting death”
syndrome
Research and Development. Pond culture of
the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium
PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR AGRICULTURE, AQUATIC
AND NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH AND
Pond Culture of the
DEVELOPMENT (PCAARRD)
rosenbergii): A poster. Los Baños, Laguna:
PCAMRD, (undated).
Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
Giant Freshwater
Prawn (Ulang)
 Ulang (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) Steps in Culturing Ulang in Ponds • Banks with fast growing grass to prevent Intensive
erosion, and banana, papaya, and palm trees • 21 postlarvae and above/m2
• Most popular freshwater prawn for Site Selection to form as wind breakers • Production of more than 5,000 kg/ha/yr
commercial culture • Adequate quality water source • Use of nutritionally complete feed
• Good alternative for tilapia or tiger prawn • Proximity to market Pond Preparation • Strict control over all aspects of water quality
culture • Flat or gently sloping (1–3%) and safe from • Dry pond
• Breeds easily and can reach a marketable flood
size of 3 pieces per kilo in 6–9 months of • Eradicate potential competitors, pests, and Stock Management
• Impervious, clay loam to sandy clay soil with
culture pH 6.5–7.0 parasites using teaseed powder (20 ppm). • Continuous system – continuously stock and
• Has export potential and an established Allow two weeks to eliminate toxins. select harvestable prawn for market
market niche • Apply agricultural limestone (if soil pH<6.5) • Batch system – stock and wait until the stock
• Has polyculture potential and can be cultured • Fill the pond with water (1.0–1.2 m) then seal reaches the average marketable size
in dams, ponds, lakes, cages, and pens the gates • Combined system – combination of 1st and 2nd
• Fertilize pond with chicken manure (1,000–
Farm Implements Needed
2,000 kg/ha) and 16-20-0 (100–200 kg/ha)
every two weeks, at a lower dose than the
The basic farm tools in ulang culture are seine
and scoop nets, water pump, weighing scale, basal rate to sustain the plankton production
cutting tools, feeding tray, digging blade, spade, • Maintain grass around the pond to prevent
and cast net. soil erosion

Farming Intensity

Extensive systems
• 1–4 postlarvae or juveniles/m2
Pond Description • Production capacity of less than 500 kg/ha/yr
• Rectangular surface area (0.5–2.0 hectare) • Supplemental feeding is not normally supplied
• Smooth bottom and free from obstructions for • Organic fertilization rarely applied Feeding Management
seining • Feed after stocking
• Minimum depth of 60–90 cm at shallow end Semi-intensive • Broadcast feed around the pond (portion of
and a maximum depth of 100–150 cm at deep • 5–20 postlarvae or juveniles/m2 the feeding ration left in the feeding trays)
end
• Production capacity of more than 500 kg/ha/yr • Install four trays measuring 0.25 m2 each to
• Bank slope embankment with 30–60 cm
freeboard; internal slope of 2.5:1, 3:1, or 4:1; • Balanced feed ration is supplied monitor the feeds consumed everyday
and external of 1.5:1–2.5:1 • Fertilization used • During the first 30 days, blind feeding (base
feeding schedule on a conversion ratio of