This manual is intended for fish farmers, extension workers and others in their initial efforts to produce marketable sugpo (Penaeus monodon) for local consumption or export. Information is presented on pond preparation, stocking, transfer from nursery to rearing pond, rearing, harvesting, processing and transport. Appendices deal with the control of pests and predators, diseases, fertilization, and the estimation of rate of supplementary feeding.

One of the major problems in the mass production of sugpo is how to obtain a constant supply of fry. Since ultimately it is the private sector which should produce the sugpo fry to fill the needs of the industry, the Barangay Hatchery Project under the Prawn Program of the Aquaculture Department of SEAFDEC has scaled down the hatchery technology from large tanks to a level which can be adopted by the private sector, especially in the villages, with a minimum of financial and technical inputs. This guide to small-scale hatchery operations is expected to generate more enthusiasm among fish farmers interested in venturing into sugpo culture.

Following a brief account of the biology of the green mussel (Perna viridis), a review is made of mussel farming techniques in the Philippines. The basic principles behind mussel farming are described, considering spatfall, site selection, and selection of suitable collector material. Farm construction and operation procedures are also described, and an examination is made of the economic aspects of mussel farming.

Various factors to be taken into account in the operation of a prawn hatchery are examined under the following headings: 1) site selection; 2) hatchery facilities and equipment; 3) larval stages of prawn; 4) spawner and broodstock collection and transport; 5) larval rearing; 6) post-larval rearing; 7) harvesting, packing and transporting; 8) diseases; and 9) economics.

Information is presented regarding the biology and culture of Lates calcarifer in order to serve as a practical guide for extension workers and farmers. Hatchery design, seed production and hatchery techniques, culture of seabass and financial aspects of the seabass culture industry are described.

Following an account of the feeding habits and nutritional needs of Penaeus monodon, diet formulation for cultured shrimp is discussed in detail. Equipment required, preparation of the diets and methods of feeding are detailed.

The manual is intended primarily for practicing prawn hatchery operators who would like to diversify their operations to include larval rearing of milkfish (Chanos chanos). Only those procedures important in the daily operations of a milkfish hatchery are described in detail, under the following headings: Essential facilities - tanks and equipment; Production of natural food - Chlorella culture and Brachionus culture; Production of milkfish fry - preparation of hatching and larval rearing tanks, hatching of milkfish eggs, stocking of larvae, larval rearing, and harvesting.

The manual, an updated version of the 1984 SEAFDEC/AQD manual, presents the underlying principles and step-by-step instructions of prawn larval and post-larval rearing. The techniques described are not only applicable to Penaeus monodon, but may also be modified and applied to other penaeid and metapenaeid species. The following aspects are covered: Site selection; Life cycle; Hatchery design and planning; Hatchery operations; Diseases; and Economics.