TRANSACTIONS ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Transactions on Science and Technology, 3(2-2), 382 - 387, 2016 ISSN: 2289-8786 Che Harun et al., 2016. Transactions on Science and Technology. 3(2-2), 382 - 387 The Effects of Stocking Density, Substrate and Coloration in Rearing Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) Post Larvae Hasnita Che Harun*, Nora Azreena Ismail, Khairiyah Mat, Nor Dini Rusli, Tan Sze Huay, Muhd Hazizi Ismail, Hazreen Nita Khalid, Lee Seong Wei, Suniza Anis Mohamad Faculty of Agro Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus, Locked Bag No. 100, 17600 Jeli Kelantan, MALAYSIA. *Corresponding author. E-Mail: hasnita@umk.edu.my; Tel: +609-9477174; Fax: +609-9477022. Received: 27 April 2016 Revised: 1 August 2016 Accepted: 1 September 2016 Online: 27 October 2016 Keywords: Macrobrachium rosenbergii; Fresh Water Prawn; Stocking Density; Substrate; Coloration ABSTRACT Understanding Macrobrachium rosenbergii optimum condition and performance in aquaculture is important to optimize the design, management of tanks, and other culture conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of stocking density, presence of substrate as well as coloration in rearing M. rosenbergii post larvae (PL). Three experiments were conducted for 28 days to determine 1) the effects of stocking density of 160 PL/Liter, 140 PL/Liter and 120 PL/Liter, 2) effects of presence of substrate and 3) application of colouration. Each treatment was run with untreated samples of M. rosenbergii at condition of 140 PL/Liter as control. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) available from Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 19.0. The highest growth performance in the stocking density, substrate and coloring treatment was obtained in thr group 120 PL/liter (with substrate) with weight gain of 0.0775± 0.0132g and length gain of 11.0 ± 1.88 mm. The best survival percentage in the substrate and coloring treatment was obtained in the 120 PL/Liter (coloring) with 88.500 ± 3.78 %. There are no significant different (P≥0.05) among all treatments. The presence of substrate and coloring in rearing M. rosenbergii can be considered as optimum condition provided water quality maintenance. Presence of coloring is suitable to increase survival percentage for short period of time such as during transportation. Hence, it gives high survival percentage but did not benefit in term of growth. © Transactions on Science and Technology 2016 Introduction Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man (1879) is one of the most popular aquaculture species throughout its natural habitats and even beyond. This species has already being exported and cultured in as far as Brazil (New, 2002). The farming of giant freshwater prawn was divided into three phases. The first two phases are hatchery and nursery farm where it will take about 2 to 3 months before grow out farm which will take about 8-10 months (Lalrinsanga et al., 2012). This species breeds throughout the year under optimum climatic conditions. However, in many areas of Malaysia, the peak breeding activity occurs during monsoon season especially from October to January.