The Journey of Prawns: From Hatchlings to Harvest
In the world of aquaculture, raising prawns from hatchlings to harvest-ready adults is a fascinating and intricate process. Here at Huka Prawn Park, we’re thrilled to announce that our recent batch of 69 new mothers have given birth to an impressive amount of babies! Here’s their journey so far and what we have planned for them moving forward.
A Fresh Start in Brackish Water
After birth, the tiny prawns are initially housed in brackish water – a type of water that contains a bit of salt, but not as much as seawater. This environment is perfect for their early stages of life. They remain here for 30 days, during which time they develop rapidly and get used to their new aquatic surroundings.
Transitioning to Freshwater
Once they hit the 30-day mark, it’s time for the prawns to move to freshwater tanks, marking the start of a crucial phase in their growth. This is where they are transferred to carefully managed tanks within our nursery.
Fun Fact – Our latest batch of babies is currently swimming in a total of 58,344 liters of freshwater, distributed across 7 tanks. That’s a lot of space for our little swimmers!
In their new homes, the prawns are fed a nutrient-rich, intensive diet to ensure they grow big and strong in a short amount of time. At three weeks old, we expect them to measure between 1 and 4 cm – still small, but full of potential!
At the six-week mark, the prawns are graded and divided into size categories. This is an important step that ensures optimal care and helps them grow efficiently. During this time, prawns can grow at an impressive rate, easily reaching up to 100g and growing to lengths of 15-25 cm. The growth spurt in these early months is essential to their overall development.
Reaching Maturity and Harvest Readiness
Within three months of grading, they will have reached sexual maturity. That’s when the big decisions happen… Do they stay as part of our breeding program, or do they move to our outdoor pools, ready for fishing?
Did you know… Prawns can live up to three years and continue to grow throughout their lifespan! In ideal conditions, adult prawns can grow up to half a meter in length!
The journey of a prawn from hatchling to harvest-ready adult is complex, but incredibly rewarding. With careful management, intensive feeding, and a controlled environment, these prawns will continue to thrive, providing sustainable resources for the aquaculture industry.
Interested in learning more about our prawns? We offer tours through our hatcheries and nursery twice a day during our Fun Park’s opening hours. Why not jump on a tour and see first-hand the amazing work we do!