The effect of paddle wheel aeration on shrimp growth and survival were studied at a
commercial farm at Chandipur coast of Orissa, India, at different stocking densities of
Penaeus monodon. Four different aeration patterns were adopted and evaluated. Influence
of individual aeration pattern on average survival rate was not highly significant
(p<0.05) at different stocking densities, while different aeration patterns had significant
influence (p<O.OOl) on survival rate of P. monodon. It was also estimated that 1.77 hp
(aerator) is needed for every 1000 kg shrimp biomass which corresponds to 1 hp/565 kg
biomass of shrimp. Higher growth rate was mostly observed during 63-98 days of culture,
when six 2 hp aerators were in use. Size variation in growth was higher during initial
stage of rearing, while it was reduced to significant level towards the last phase of rearing
as number of aerator and hour of operation increased