Effect of the addition of diatoms (Navicula spp.) and rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) on water quality and growth of the Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae reared in a biofloc system

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of Navicula spp. and Brachionus plicatilis on water quality and growth of postlarvae shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei reared in a biofloc system. Four treatments were considered: a control (biofloc system – BFT); BFT with the addition of Navicula spp. (BFT‐N); BFT with the addition of Brachionus plicatilis (BFT‐B) and BFT with the addition of Navicula spp. and Brachionus plicatilis (BFT‐NB), each in triplicate. Shrimp (16.2 ± 0.03 mg) were stocked at a density of 2500 shrimp m^?3 and plankton were added on days 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 at a density of 5 × 10⁴ cells mL^?1 (Navicula spp.) and 30 organisms L^?1 (Brachionus plicatilis). The shrimp were fed a formulated feed in four daily rations composed of 40% crude protein and 8% lipids. Significant differences between treatments were observed for final weight, yield, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio and protein content of the shrimp. The combined plankton addition of Navicula spp. and B. plicatilis had better performance parameters, indicating their benefit as natural food sources for postlarvae L. vannamei in biofloc systems.     

Effects of addition of Navicula sp. (diatom) in different densities to postlarvae of shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei reared in a BFT system: Growth,survival, productivity and fatty acid profile

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of Navicula sp. on the growth and fatty acids profile of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae in a biofloc system (BFT). Four treatments were used: BFT; BFT 2.5N (addition of 2.5 × 10⁴ cells/ml of Navicula sp.); BFT 5N (addition of 5 × 10⁴ cells/ml of Navicula sp.) and BFT 10N (addition of 10 × 10⁴ cells/ml of Navicula sp.), all in triplicate. The shrimp (1 ± 0.01 mg) were stocked at a density of 3,000 postlarvae/m³ and fed with commercial feed. The diatom was added every 10 days, and at the end of 42 days, shrimp performance, water quality and proximal composition were evaluated. The BFT 5N and BFT 10N treatments had higher performance values, highlighting the values of productivity (2.30 and 2.42 kg/m³) and specific growth rate (15.92 and 16.08%/day), which were higher than the other treatments. In addition, the highest levels of fatty acids were observed in treatments with diatom (BFT 5N and BFT 10N), indicating the benefits of Navicula sp. on growth enhancement and fatty acid content of L. vannamei postlarvae grown in biofloc systems.     

Nursery performance of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei Boone, 1931) cultivated in a biofloc system: the effect of adding different carbon sources

Effect of different carbon sources on nursery performance of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultivated in biofloc system was investigated. Shrimp postlarvae (98.47 ± 8.6 mg) were fed for 32 days in tanks with water volume of 130 L and density of 1 individual L^?1. One control treatment and four biofloc treatments (BFT1, BFT2, BFT3 and BFT4) with adding different carbon sources including molasses, starch, wheat flour and mixture of them, respectively, were considered at equal weight ratios. According to the results, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH were not significantly different among the biofloc treatments (P > 0.05). Maximum pH (8.27) and maximum dissolved oxygen (6.35 mg L^?1) were recorded in the control. Maximum (0.43 mg L^?1) and minimum (0.09 mg L^?1) ammonia were recorded in the control and BFT2, respectively (P < 0.05). Using simple carbohydrates (molasses and starch) lowered the ammonia concentration significantly. The highest increase in body weight (1640.43 ± 231.28 mg), growth rate, specific growth rate (8.97 ± 0.42% per day) and biomass (190.29 ± 26.83 mg) were found in BFT1 and the highest survival (90 ± 0.77%) was found in BFT4. The highest feed conversion (1.52 ± 0.23) and the lowest feed efficiency (66.81 ± 7.95) were observed in the control (P < 0.05). The proximate composition analysis revealed an increase in lipid and ash in biofloc treatments. Results indicated that using biofloc technology with zero‐water exchange system and adding carbon sources could help to recycle waste and improve the water quality. Moreover, the type of carbonaceous organic matter as a substrate for heterotrophic bacteria would be effective in degradation and metabolization of ammonia and nitrite.     

Effect of different biofloc system on water quality,biofloc composition and growth performance in Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931)

The experiment was conducted with three biofloc treatments and one control in triplicate in 500 L capacity indoor tanks. Biofloc tanks, filled with 350 L of water, were fed with sugarcane molasses (BFT_S), tapioca flour (BFT_T), wheat flour (BFT_W) and clean water as control without biofloc and allowed to stand for 30 days. The postlarvae of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) with an Average body weight of 0.15 ± 0.02 g were stocked at the rate of 130 PL m^?2 and cultured for a period of 60 days fed with pelleted feed at the rate of 1.5% of biomass. The total suspended solids (TSS) level was maintained at around 500 mg L^?1 in BFT tanks. The addition of carbohydrate significantly reduced the total ammonia‐N (TAN), nitrite‐N and nitrate‐N in water and it significantly increased the total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) population in the biofloc treatments. There was a significant difference in the final average body weight (8.49 ± 0.09 g) in the wheat flour treatment (BFT_W) than those treatment and control group of the shrimp. Survival of the shrimps was not affected by the treatments and ranged between 82.02% and 90.3%. The proximate and chemical composition of biofloc and proximate composition of the shrimp was significantly different between the biofloc treatments and control. Tintinids, ciliates, copepods, cyanobacteria and nematodes were identified in all the biofloc treatments, nematodes being the most dominant group of organisms in the biofloc. It could be concluded that the use of wheat flour (BFT_W) effectively enhanced the biofloc production and contributed towards better water quality which resulted in higher production of shrimp.     

Partial replacement of fishmeal with biofloc meal in the diet of postlarvae of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

This study evaluated the potential for the replacement of fishmeal (FM) by biofloc meal (BM) in the diet of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae. Four isonitrogenous (437.42 g kg^?1) and isocaloric (19.84 kJ g^?1) diets were formulated, in which FM was replaced with BM at 0% (T0), 7.5% (T7.5), 15% (T15) and 30% (T30). A commercial diet (CD) was used as reference. The study was conducted over 42 days in 50 L tanks connected to a water recirculation system. All tanks were stocked with three postlarvae (initial weight 0.0023 g) per litre. Shrimp survival, weight gain (WG), final weight (FW), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were measured. Survival rates were high (>91.1%) in all treatments. As the T30 treatment returned a significantly (<0.05) better performance in WG, FW, SGR and PER than all other treatments, partial replacement of FM with BM does not appear to affect productivity. In fact, a regression analysis indicated that a FM to BM replacement level of over 20% may actually improve shrimp growth. In addition to providing a cost‐effective alternative ingredient for L. vannamei postlarvae diets, the production of meal also represents a more sustainable way of disposing of the excess of biofloc produced by BFT systems.     

Effect of different total suspended solids levels on a Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) BFT culture system during biofloc formation

In a Biofloc Technology System (BFT), there is constant biofloc formation and suspended solids accumulation, leading to effects on water quality parameters that may affect the growth performance of cultured shrimp. This study aimed to analyse during biofloc formation the effect of different total suspended solids (TSS) levels on water quality and the growth performance of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp in a BFT system. A 42‐day trial was conducted with treatments of three ranges of TSS: 100–300 mg L^?1 as low (TL), 300–600 as medium (TM) and 600–1000 as high (TH). The initial concentrations of 100 (TL), 300 (TM) and 600 mg L^?1 (TH) were achieved by fertilization before starting the experiment. Litopenaeus  vannamei juveniles with an average weight of 4.54 ± 1.19 g were stocked at a density of 372 shrimp m^?3. Physical and chemical water parameters and shrimp growth performance were analysed. After 6 weeks, TSS mean concentrations were 306.37, 532.43 and 745.2 mg L^?1 for, respectively, TL, TM and TH treatments. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in TSS, settleable solids, pH, alkalinity and nitrite, especially between the TL and TH treatments. Similarly, differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the growth performance parameters, specifically final weight, survival, feed conversion and productivity. The water quality parameters at lower range of total suspended solids concentration (TL) treatment resulted in a better performance of L. vannamei in the BFT system. The maintenance at range of 100–300 mg L^?1 TSS is thus important to the success of shrimp culture.     

Biofloc technology application as a food source in a limited water exchange nursery system for pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis (Latreille, 1817)

In a 30‐day experiment, Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis PL₂₅ (25 ± 10 mg; 17.9 ± 1.6 mm) were raised in nine circular floating cages with a stocking density of 1000 shrimp m^?3. Three treatments were evaluated: (1) culture in BFT system plus a commercial feed supply (BFT+CF); (2) culture in BFT system without feed supply (BFT) and (3) culture in clear water with feed supply (control). Post‐larvae (PL) final weight (218.9, 236.5 and 176.0 mg, for BFT+CF, BFT and control respectively), final biomass (17.9, 15.7 and 8.2 g) and weight gain (193.9, 211.5 and 151.0 mg) were similar in the BFT regardless of whether they were fed a commercial diet (P>0.05), but were both significantly higher than the control (P<0.05). Survival (81.5%, 67.0% and 84.8% respectively) and final length did not differ between treatments (P>0.05). The biofloc analysis identified five main microorganism groups: protozoa (ciliate and flagellate), rotifers, cyanobacteria (filamentous and unicellular) and pennate diatoms. Free living bacteria and attached bacteria in bulk were 25.73 ± 8.63 and 0.86 ± 3.17 × 10⁶ mL^?1 respectively. Proximate analysis in the biofloc indicated high levels of crude protein (30.4%). Results confirmed favourable nutritional quality of biofloc, and enhanced growth and production of F. brasiliensis PL in biofloc systems.     

Effect of bioflocs on growth and immune activity of Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae

The bioflocs technology (BFT) for shrimp production has been proposed as a sustainable practice capable of reducing environmental impacts and preventing pathogen introduction. The microbial community associated with BFT not only detoxifies nutrients, but also can improve feed utilization and animal growth. Biofloc system contains abundant number of bacteria of which cell wall consists of various components such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan and β‐1, 3‐glucans, and is known as stimulating nonspecific immune activity of shrimp. Bioflocs, therefore, are assumed to enhance shrimp immunity because they consume the bioflocs as additional food source. Although there are benefits for having an in situ microbial community in BFT systems, better understanding on these microorganisms, in particular molecular level, is needed. A fourteen‐day culture trial was conducted with postlarvae of Litopenaeus vannamei in the presence and absence of bioflocs. To determine mRNA expression levels of shrimp, we selected six genes (prophenoloxidase1, prophenoloxidase2, prophenoloxidase activation enzyme, serine proteinase1, masquerade‐like proteinase, and ras‐related nuclear protein) which are involved in a series of responses known as the prophenoloxidase (proPO) cascade, one of the major innate immune responses in crustaceans. Significant differences in shrimp survival and final body weights were found between the clear water and in the biofloc treatments. mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in the biofloc treatment than the clear water control. These results suggest that the presence of bioflocs in the culture medium gives positive effect on growth and immune‐related genes expression in L.vannamei postlarvae.     

Dietary protein level and C/N ratio manipulation in zero‐exchange culture of Litopenaeus vannamei: Evaluation of inorganic nitrogen control,biofloc composition and shrimp performance

A 30‐day experiment was conducted to evaluate inorganic nitrogen control, biofloc composition and shrimp performance in zero‐exchange culture tanks for juvenile L. vannamei offered a 35% (P35) or 25% (P25) crude protein feed, each feed supplemented with additional carbohydrate to increase the C/N ratio to 20:1 (CN20) or 15:1 (CN15). Sucrose was used as a carbohydrate to manipulate the two C/N ratios based on the carbon and nitrogen content of both the feeds and sucrose. The four treatments were referred to as: P35 + CN20, P35 + CN15, P25 + CN20 and P25 + CN15. Each treatment consisted of four replicate tanks (125 L), each stocked with 28 shrimp (equivalent to 224 shrimp m^?3). Bioflocs formed and developed based on initial inoculation in all four treatments; and monitored water quality parameters were maintained within acceptable ranges for shrimp culture throughout the experiment. No significant effects (P > 0.05) of dietary protein level, C/N ratio or their interaction were observed on biofloc development (BFV, TSS and BFVI) and inorganic nitrogen (TAN, NO₂^?‐N and NO₃^?‐N) concentrations. At the end of the experiment, proximate analysis of the bioflocs collected from the four treatments showed crude protein levels of 21.3% ~ 32.1%, crude lipid levels of 1.6% ~ 2.8% and ash levels of 43.4% ~ 61.4%. Extracellular protease and amylase activities of the bioflocs were 9.9 ~ 14.4 U g^?1 TSS and 293.5 ~ 403.8 U g^?1 TSS respectively. Biofloc composition and enzyme activity were both affected by dietary protein level (P < 0.01) and C/N ratio (P < 0.05). Survival, per cent weight gain and protein efficiency ratio of shrimp were not affected (P > 0.05) by dietary protein level, C/N ratio or their interaction; however, the feed conversion ratios were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in treatments with high dietary protein (P35) compared with those in treatments with low dietary protein (P25). The results from this study demonstrate that dietary protein level and C/N ratio manipulation can have important implications for water quality, biofloc composition and shrimp performance in intensive, zero‐exchange biofloc‐based culture systems.     

Growth of Red Abalone,Haliotis rufescens,Fed Cold‐stored Benthic Diatoms

We measured the proximal composition of four benthic diatoms that were stored for 24 mo in the dark at low temperature (4 C by refrigeration) and examined their potential as feed for abalone, Haliotis rufescens, postlarvae. The proximal composition of the four diatoms was modified by species‐specific responses as a function of time in storage. The cultures of all stored diatoms contained low or undetectable concentrations of Vibrio‐like bacteria (<0.01 VLB/mL). As feed for abalone postlarvae, the four diatoms promoted growth under all experimental conditions. Greater shell lengths were measured on Day 14 when Navicula sp. and Navicula incerta were used as feed. Postlarvae that were fed N. incerta and Navicula sp. had higher growth rates. In contrast, lower growth rates were observed on Day 7 with fresh and stored Nitzschia thermalis as food. Survival was high in postlarvae that were fed the four stored diatoms (100%). This report demonstrates that cultures of benthic diatoms that have been stored by refrigeration for 24 mo can be used to feed abalone postlarvae and have an effect on improving growth and survival.     

Use of biofloc technology during the pre‐maturation period of Litopenaeus vannamei males: effect of feeds with different protein levels on the spermatophore and sperm quality

The objectives of this study were: (1) Compare two systems for pre‐maturation of Litopenaeus vannamei in terms of spermatophore and sperm quality, (2) Compare the effect of feeds with different protein levels on reproductive quality of males reared in a biofloc‐dominated system. Animals (36.40 ± 3.13 g) reared under biofloc technology (BFT) were used in the 30‐day experiment, which involved four treatments: one in a clear water system (CW) and other three in a BFT system. The BFT treatments were differentiated by feed: mix of fish, squid and crab (BFT+FF) composed of 68.48% dietary protein (DP); broodstock feed (BFT+BF) composed of 52.51% DP; and juvenile feed (BFT+JF) composed of 39.91% DP. Feed in the CW was also the mix of fresh food. Spermatophore and sperm quality were analyzed at the beginning and end of the experiment. Higher normal sperm rate was recorded in the CW compared with the BFT+FF. Among the BFT treatments, the BFT+FF had the lowest normal sperm rate. Thus, the use of BFT for pre‐maturation of L. vannamei allowed the reduction in dietary protein levels from 68.48% (BFT+FF) to 39.91% (BFT+JF) and the maintenance of spermatophore and sperm quality compared to the system based on high daily exchange rate.     

Effects of dietary manganese source and supplemental levels on growth performance,antioxidant enzymes activities,tissue Mn concentrations and cytosolic manganese superoxide dismutase (cMnSOD) mRNA expression level of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of different forms and levels of manganese (Mn) on the growth performance, antioxidant activities, tissue Mn content and cytosolic manganese superoxide dismutase (cMnSOD) gene expression of Litopenaeus vannamei. Treatments consisted of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 mg Mn kg^?1 from manganese sulphate (Mn‐S) and manganese methionine (Mn‐Met), providing the actual dietary value of 5.17, 15.62, 25.55, 34.22, 44.48 and 67.90 mg Mn kg^?1 Mn‐S, and 5.17, 15.71, 25.36, 35.86, 45.16 and 65.06 mg Mn kg^?1 Mn‐Met, respectively. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of L. vannamei (initial body weight: 1.925 ± 0.002 g) in a recirculated fresh water rearing system for 8 weeks. Weight gain rate (WGR) increased in prawns provided with from 25.55 to 44.48 mg Mn kg^?1 Mn‐S and 15.71 to 45.16 mg Mn kg^?1 Mn‐Met and then declined above these levels. The lowest protein efficiency ratio (PER) and the highest feed conversion rate (FCR) were observed in prawns fed the control diet (P < 0.05) and showed no significant differences among other treatments (P > 0.05). Survival rate (SR) was not affected by the dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Total SOD and Mn‐SOD activities were higher in the hepatopancreas of prawns fed with Mn‐supplemented diets from 15.71 to 44.48 mg Mn kg^?1 (P < 0.05). On the contrary, malondialdehyde (MDA) content was lower in the hepatopancreas of prawns fed the basal diet (P < 0.05). Mn concentrations in the hepatopancreas and muscles increased with increasing levels of dietary Mn supplementation. Moreover, Mn accumulation was lower in the muscle than in the hepatopancreas of the prawns. The mRNA expression of cMnSOD gene in the hepatopancreas of prawns was upregulated with increasing dietary Mn levels of Mn‐S from 25.55 to 44.48 mg Mn kg^?1, Mn‐Met from 15.71 to 45.16 mg Mn kg^?1 and then plateaued above these levels. Broken‐line regression analysis of WGR indicated that the optimal dietary Mn requirements for juvenile L. vannamei were 32.26 mg Mn kg^?1 Mn‐S and 23.90 mg Mn kg^?1 Mn‐Met, respectively.     

Effect of different dietary microalgae combinations on growth and survival of black‐lip pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) larvae and the feasibility of replacing microalgae with a dietary lipid emulsion

A 10‐day experiment was performed to examine different mono, binary and ternary dietary combinations on survival and growth of D‐shaped and umbone black‐lip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, larvae. The three tropical microalgae species were the flagellate Isochrysis galbana clone T. Iso (CS‐177) and diatoms Chaetoceros calcitrans (CS‐178) and Chaetoceros muelleri (CS‐176) which were fed to D‐shaped and umbone larvae at a density of 7000 and 14 000 cells mL^?1, respectively. A second experiment was performed to investigate the feasibility of replacing T. Iso with a lipid emulsion for both D‐shaped and umbone larvae for 10 and 12 days, respectively. The treatments included only T. Iso, unfed and lipid emulsion to substitute T. Iso at levels of 10% (LIP10), 30% (LIP30) and 100% (LIP100). In the first experiment, results showed that a monospecific diet of T. Iso led to significantly higher (P < 0.05) survival and growth of D‐shaped larvae than all the other treatments. Meanwhile, D‐shaped larval survival was significantly lower when only fed C. calcitrans as well as growth for those fed C. calcitrans or in combination with C. muelleri. However, for umbone larvae, survival and growth were significantly higher when fed a binary combination of T. Iso and C. muelleri or the ternary combination of T. Iso, C. muelleri and C. calcitrans compared with all other treatments. For the second experiment, results showed that with increasing lipid emulsion replacement, survival of both D‐shaped and umbone larvae significantly decreased (P < 0.05); however, the LIP100 treatment was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the unfed treatment. For D‐shaped larvae, no significant growth difference was detected (P > 0.05) between the T. Iso and LIP10 fed treatments while for umbone larvae, the T. Iso, LIP10 and LIP30 were not significantly different (P > 005). These results indicate that microalgae combinations appear more necessary for later staged P. margaritifera larvae. In addition, the use of a lipid emulsion appeared to provide some nutrition to the larvae, although more research should be conducted to improve the use of such replacements.     

The Reuse of Water on the Culture of Pacific White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,in BFT System

The use of the same water over multiple culture cycles in a biofloc technology system can be highly beneficial. This study evaluated the effect of different levels of biofloc‐rich water on selected water quality indicators and on the productive performance of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, juveniles (3.5 g) stocked at 312 juveniles/m³ and cultured under conditions of no water exchange. The study was performed over a 30‐d period in an 800‐L tank system. A total of four biofloc enrichment levels (25, 50, 75, and 100%) and control (0%) were tested with three replicates each. Significant differences in nitrogen compounds were found between the biofloc‐enriched water and the zero‐enrichment treatment. No statistically significant differences among the biofloc‐enriched treatments were found in survival, final weight (8.25 g), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.08). The shrimp raised in clear seawater (i.e., a 0% biofloc enrichment) were significantly smaller (7.37 g vs. 8.25 g) and showed a higher FCR (1.52 vs. 1.08) than the shrimp cultured in the biofloc‐rich water. Nevertheless, no differences in yields were found between treatments. The results of this study suggest that culture in biofloc‐enriched water produces higher levels of water quality and shrimp performance than culture in natural seawater.     

Replacement of fishmeal by fish protein hydrolysate and biofloc in the diets of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the gradual replacement of fishmeal with fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) and biofloc flour (BF) in the diets of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae (2 mg). Five diets (420 g kg^?1 of crude protein) were formulated, and these replaced 0 (control), 10, 20, 30 and 40% (T0, T10, T20, T30 and T40, respectively) of the fishmeal. A commercial diet was used as an external control. The alternative ingredients FPH and BF were added at a ratio of 1 : 1. After 42 days, the shrimp survival was higher than 99% in all the treatment groups. A regression test indicated that the ideal fishmeal substitution level to obtain optimal zootechnical parameters (final weight, weight gain and protein efficiency) is between 15.16 and 16.5%. In this study, we demonstrated that BF and FPH are potential ingredients that can be used to replace fishmeal in L. vannamei postlarvae diets.     

Water quality,Vibrio density and growth of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in an integrated biofloc system with red seaweed Gracilaria birdiae (Greville)

An indoor trial was conducted for 42 days to evaluate water quality, Vibrio density and growth of Litopenaeus vannamei in an integrated biofloc system (IBS) with Gracilaria birdiae. Four treatments were used, each in triplicate: Control (monoculture shrimp); IBS 2.5 (L. vannamei and 2.5 kg wet weight seaweed m^?3); IBS 5.0 (L. vannamei and 5.0 kg wet weight seaweed m^?3) and IBS 7.5 (L. vannamei and 7.5 wet weight seaweed m^?3). Shrimp individuals (0.34 ± 0.01 g) were stocked at a density of 500 shrimp m^?3. No water exchange was carried out during the experimental period. Molasses was added once a day as an organic carbon source to maintain the C:N ratio at 12:1. The IBS significantly decreased (P < 0.05) dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) ranging from 19% to 34% (3.12–3.83 mg L^?1), NO₃‐N ranging from 19% to 38% (2.40–3.16 mg L^?1), Vibrio density ranging from by 8–83% (0.40–2.20 log 10³ colony‐forming units mL^?1), and FCR ranging from by 20–30% (1.20–1.37), as compared to the control (4.73 mg L^?1, 3.93 mg L^?1, 2.40 log 10³ colony‐forming units mL^?1, and 1.74 respectively). Moreover, the IBS significantly increased (P < 0.05) crude protein in whole body shrimp, ranging from 8% to 13% (13.2–13.7% wet weight basis); as well as final weight, ranging from 25% to 32% (3.90–4.12 g), weekly growth ranging from 25% to 34% (0.59–0.63 g), and shrimp yield by 22–39% (1.72–1.96 kg m^?3), as compared to control (12.1% wet weight basis, 3.12 g, 0.47 g, and 1.41 kg m^?3 respectively). It can thus be concluded that cultivating Gracilaria birdiae in an IBS with L. vannamei can contribute to DIN and NO₃‐N removal, lower Vibrio density, increased crude protein in whole body shrimp, higher growth and yield parameters in shrimp culture.     

Effects of different dietary lipid levels and fatty acids profile in the culture of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in biofloc technology: water quality,biofloc composition,growth and health

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different dietary lipid and fatty acids on the nutritional value of bioflocs used as a feed, as well as shrimp performance and health. A total of 1800 Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles (2.87 ± 0.01 g) were cultured in biofloc technology, with a density of 200 shrimp m^?2, and fed with three isoproteic experimental diets at different lipid levels (85 g kg^?1, 95 g kg^?1 and 105 g kg^?1); each treatment was performed in triplicate. After 61 days, no significant difference was observed (P > 0.05) among the water quality parameters. For the shrimp performance, significant difference was observed (P = 0.011) among the values of survival, where treatments with lower lipid levels had higher survival (92.5 ± 3.5% and 91.0 ± 2.5%). Although there are significant differences in survival, no significant differences in the total haemocytes count (THC) were observed. For other growth performance, no differences were observed (P > 0.05). A positive correlation (r = 0.75) has been observed between the dietary oleic acid and bioflocs. The bioflocs showed ‘long‐chain’ polyunsaturated fat acids (lcPUFA), especially arachidonic acid. The shrimp showed similar growth and stayed healthy at the end of the experimental period.     

Replacement of fish oil with alternative lipid sources in plant‐based practical feed formulations for marine shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared in outdoor ponds and tanks

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of partial substitution of menhaden fish oil by alternative lipid sources (soybean oil, poultry grease and flaxseed oil) in non‐marine protein‐based shrimp production diet, its influence on fatty acid profile and its final product flavour. Results for the pond study (17 weeks) showed no differences (P ≥ 0.05) in shrimp production among different test diets. Production ranged from 5070 to 5363 kg ha^?1; mean final weight, 18.0 to 21.6 g; weekly growth, 1.04 to 1.25 g; survival, 65.6 to 75.4%; and FCR, 1.37 to 1.45. Results from the tank trial (12 weeks) confirmed these findings, final weight, 13.8–14.8 g; weekly growth, 1.1–1.2 g; survival, 92.5–98.3%; FCR, 1.05–1.11; and final standing crop, 4738–5024 kg ha^?1. The fatty acids profiles of edible tail muscle reared on the various diets displayed a similar fatty acid profile to that of the diets. The sensory test showed no statistical differences in texture, appearance, aroma and flavour between the shrimp fed diets containing menhaden fish oil and soybean oil. These studies demonstrated that practical shrimp feeds containing non‐marine protein ingredients and a percentage of fish oil replaced by alternative lipid sources had no negative impact on mean final weight, weekly growth, survival, FCR, final standing crop, fatty acids profile and organoleptic properties of Litopenaeus vannamei.     

Pond production of Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,fed grain distillers dried yeast

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of four diets formulated to contain increasing levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 g kg^?1 of diet) of grain distillers dried yeast (GDDY) in production diets for Litopenaeus vannamei, reared in outdoor tanks or production ponds. The production pond trial was carried out in 16, 0.1‐ha ponds using four replicates per diet. Juvenile shrimp (38.1 ± 4.26 mg, initial weight) were stocked at 30 shrimp m^?2 for a 16‐week period. The same four diets and a commercial reference diet were offered to shrimp maintained in outdoor tanks over a 12‐week period. A total of 20 tanks were stocked with juvenile shrimp (3.05 ± 0.22 g, initial weight) obtained from production ponds at a density of 30 shrimp per tank (40 shrimp m^?2). At the conclusion of these trials, mean final weight ranged from 19.77 to 23.05 g, yield ranged between 4760 and 5606 kg ha^?1, survival ranged from 69.6% to 89.4%, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was between 1.02 and 1.23. Shrimp reared in the outdoor tanks confirmed the results of the pond trial. Mean final weight ranged between 18.12 and 18.97 g, survival ranged from 93.3% to 98.3%, and FCR was between 1.25 and 1.29. In both trials, there were no significant differences regarding mean final weight, FCR and survival among dietary treatments. Based on this study, GDDY up to 150 g kg^?1 of diet can be used in L. vannamei commercial feed formulation.