Benthic invertebrates in the shrimp ponds in Tiab area

Abstract

In order to study the quantity and quality evaluation of benthic invertebrates in shrimp ponds belonging to Persian Prawn Co., in Tiab area (Hormozgan province), sampling of sediments were carried out every other 14 days, from August 18 to October 27, 1998, during the period of shrimp culture. Sediments were sampled from three different point of 9 ponds by grab (Van Veen 0.02 m2) for identification macrofauna, meiofauna, grain size and measurement of total organic matter. Macrofauna benthic were few and were found only in three ponds. Three groups of meiofauna including: Nematoda, Naplius and copepoda were distinguished. Their abundance was increased during main shrimp culturing period and was decreased at the end of it. Silt was the main part of soil in most ponds.