School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University, Shizuoka, Shizuoka 424-8610, Japan
The relationship between molting and water temperature, and molting behavior in adult sergestid shrimp, Sergia lucens, were studied under laboratory conditions. The rate of molted shrimp increased with rising water temperature, being 13.0% at 10°C, 47.3% at 14°C and 77.2% at 22°C. Under day 12°C-night 18°C and day 18°C-night 12°C conditions, the rate of molting was higher when the temperature was 18°C than when 12°C. The intervals between each molting were 7-12 days, and carapace length increased by 0.4-1.9% after each molt with the entire process requiring 20-40 seconds. Shrimps remained on their sides on the tank bottom for approximately 20-30 minutes prior to molting and for 60-100 minutes following molting.