Effect of fish removal on the growth and condition of white shrimp Penaeus setiferus (Linnaeus), in brackish ponds.

Two brackish ponds near West Galveston Bay were studied. In the pond in which fish were removed prior to stocking with shrimp, shrimp grew more rapidly and were in better condition. Differences in condition probably resulted because the seed stock were taken from different bay populations. Survival of shrimp was also higher in the pond without fish. Fish not only prey on shrimp, thus reducing their numbers, but also compete with them for supplemental and natural feeds, thus depressing their growth rate.