Black tiger shrimps get new lease of life

• The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA), an arm of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), has set up a nucleus breeding centre for this species in the Andamans.
• In the past, black tiger shrimps dominated the market because of their fast growth, large harvest size and attractive prices.
• In the 1990s, India was unable to sustain the aquaculture production of tiger shrimp mainly due to the spread of white spot syndrome, a viral infection that wiped out the broodstock.

MPEDA-

• The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) was constituted in 1972 under the Marine Products Export Development Authority Act 1972 (No.13 of 1972). 
• The role envisaged for the MPEDA under the statute is comprehensive – covering fisheries of all kinds, increasing exports, specifying standards, processing, marketing, extension and training in various aspects of the industry.
• MPEDA functions under the Department of Commerce, Government of India and acts as a coordinating agency with different Central and State Government establishments engaged in fishery production and allied activities.

Services Offered by MPEDA

• Registration of infrastructure facilities for Seafood Export trade.
• Collection and dissemination of trade information.
• Projection of Indian marine products in overseas markets by participation in overseas fairs and organizing international seafood fairs in India.
• Implementation of development measures vital to the industry like distribution of insulated fish boxes, putting up fish landing platforms, improvement of peeling sheds, modernization of industry such as upgrading of plate freezers, installation of IQF machinery, generator sets, ice making machineries, quality control laboratory etc.
• Promotion of brackish water aquaculture for production of prawn for export.
• Promotion of deep sea fishing projects through test fishing, joint venture and equity participation.

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About Black Tiger Shrimps:

English name: Black Tiger Shrimp or Black Diamond Shrimp

Scientific name:
Caridina cf. cantonensis "BlackTiger"

Origin: selectively bred

Size male/female: 1 inch / 1.2 in

Water temperature: 71 - 74 °F

Water Parameters: pH 7.2 - 7.4

Breeding Rate: medium

Behaviour: non-agressive

Difficulty: hard

• One of the newest shrimp to hit the shrimp hobby is the Black Tiger Shrimp also known as the Black Diamond Shrimp. 
• This species was selectively bred from the normal Tiger Shrimp for broader black stripes, eventually becoming entirely black over time.
• There are two different types of Black Tiger Shrimp, one with normal black eyes and ones with orange eyes. 
• The ones with orange eyes fetch a higher price than their black eyed cousins. 
• In Japan this species is commonly called the Black Diamond Shrimp even though it is in fact the same as the Black Tiger Shrimp.
• The Black Tiger Shrimp prefers colder more alkaline water.
• Breeders typically keep the Black Tiger Shrimp at a pH above 7.2 and temperature in the 70F - 74F range. 
• It is reported that this species does not do well in the same water parameters as required by the Crystal Red Shrimp. 
• Clean water of course is a must as with all hobby shrimp.