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.     

Astaxanthin krill oil enhances the growth performance and fatty acid composition of the Pacific whiteleg shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,reared under hypersaline conditions

Hypersalinity culture of marine shrimp can lead to poor growth and feed efficiency. This study evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation of three oil sources (krill, fish and soybean) on the growth of Litopenaeus vannamei reared under high salinity. Shrimp of 2.79 ± 0.60 g were reared for 64 days under isosmotic (ISO, 23 ± 1.2 g/L) and hyperosmotic (HOS, 44 ± 2.0 g/L) conditions. Diets varied in their fatty acid composition: Control, 35 g/kg of the diet (as fed basis) soybean oil; Fish, 27 g/kg fish oil and 10 g/kg soybean oil; Krill, 48 g/kg krill oil and 4 g/kg soybean oil; Krill‐, 15 g/kg krill oil and 21 g/kg soybean oil; Krill+, 55 g/kg krill oil and 4 g/kg soybean oil. At harvest, Krill diet promoted the fastest shrimp growth (1.01 ± 0.01 g/week) and body weight (11.97 ± 2.01 g), regardless of water salinity. There were no significant differences in shrimp survival (93.4 ± 5.07%) and yield (554 ± 68.5 g/m²) among different diets. Shrimp fed Fish, Krill and Krill+ had higher concentrations of PUFA compared to those fed Control and Krill‐ diets.     

Dietary nucleotide mixture effects on reproductive and performance,ovary fatty acid profile and biochemical parameters of female Pacific shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

The effects of different dietary nucleotide mixture (NT) levels (0, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) were investigated on the reproductive performance, fatty acid profile and biochemical parameters in Litopenaeus vannamei female that were co‐fed with fresh food (two times daily) and experimental diets (two times daily) for 30 days. Sampling was carried out at the first day of the trial, before eyestalk ablation (ESA) (day 21) and after ESA (day 30). Reproductive performance parameters including the hepatopancreatic index, absolute fecundity, egg diameter and latency period were higher in the NT‐supplemented groups than the control group (p < .05). Total n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the ovaries, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, were higher in the NT‐supplemented groups than in the control (222.6 ± 7.3 versus 204.7 ± 3.0 mg/g extracted lipid) (p < .05). Total hemocyte count, granular cells, plasma glucose (Glu), total protein (TP), calcium (Ca²⁺), total cholesterol (Chol), triglyceride (Tg) and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were significantly increased in the NT‐supplemented groups in comparison with the control group (p < .05). After ESA, the concentration of plasma Glu, TP, Chol and Tg significantly decreased, but HDL levels increased in all groups (p < .05). These results suggested that the application of dietary NT may present a novel strategy for increasing reproductive performance and health status in L. vannamei.     

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.     

Effect of hypo- and hyper-saline conditions on osmolarity and fatty acid composition of juvenile shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) fed low- and high-HUFA diets

Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) grown in ponds are exposed to salinities of less than 5 g L^?1 during inland shrimp culture or to more than 40 g L^?1 from evaporation and reduced water exchange in dry, hot climates. However, dietary requirements for shrimp grown in low or high salinities are not well defined, particularly for fatty acids. Feeding shrimp postlarvae with highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) enhances tolerance to acute exposure to low salinity, as a result of better nutritional status, or/and specific effects of HUFA on membrane function and osmoregulation mechanisms. This study analysed the effect of HUFA supplementation (3% vs. 34%) on L. vannamei juveniles reared for 21 days at low (5 g L^?1), medium (30 g L^?1) and high salinities (50 g L^?1). Juveniles grown at 5 g L^?1 had lower survival compared with controls (30 g L^?1) or shrimp grown at 50 g L^?1, but no significant effect on survival was observed as a result of HUFA enrichment. In contrast, growth was significantly lower for shrimp grown at 50 g L^?1, but this effect was compensated by the HUFA‐enriched diet. Osmotic pressure in haemolymph was affected by salinity, but not by HUFA enrichment. Shrimp fed HUFA‐enriched diets had significantly higher levels of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in hepatopancreas and gills. These results demonstrate that growth at high salinities is enhanced with diets containing high HUFA levels, but that HUFA‐enriched diets have no effect on shrimp reared at low salinities.     

Effect of the addition of Chaetoceros calcitrans,Navicula sp. and Phaeodactylum tricornutum (diatoms) on phytoplankton composition and growth of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) postlarvae reared in a biofloc system

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of Chaetoceros calcitrans, Navicula sp. and Phaeodactylum tricornutum (diatoms) on phytoplankton composition and the growth of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae reared in a biofloc system . Four treatments were used: BFT (biofloc system without feed and no addition of diatoms); BFT‐F (biofloc system with feed and no addition of diatoms); BFT‐D (biofloc system with the addition of diatoms and no feed); and BFT‐FD (biofloc system with the addition of feed and diatoms), all in triplicate. The shrimp (16 ± 0.02 mg) were stocked at 2500 postlarvae m^?3 and fed a commercial feed. Diatoms were added on the 1st, 5th, 10th and 15th day at a density of 5 × 10⁴ cells mL^?1 for each species. No significant differences (P > 0.05) between treatments were observed for gross primary production, net ecosystem production and water column respiration rate. However, significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed for nitrite, orthophosphate, alkalinity, final weight, weight gain, yield, feed conversion ratio (FCR), phytoplankton and cyanobacteria composition. The BFT‐FD treatment had better performance parameters for final weight (270 mg), weight gain (254 mg), yield (0.67 Kg m^?3) and FCR (0.61), indicating the benefits of the diatoms C. calcitrans, Navicula sp. and P. tricornutum for decreasing cyanobacteria and improving growth of L. vannamei postlarvae reared in biofloc systems.     

Changes in lipid class and fatty acid composition of adult male Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in response to culture temperature and food deprivation

The effects of culture temperature and food deprivation on lipid class and fatty acid composition of adult male Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) were investigated. Shrimp were maintained in recirculating seawater systems at temperatures of 26 and 32°C and fed 75% dry commercial feed and 25% fresh‐frozen squid for 42 days. Additionally, groups of fed and non‐fed shrimp were maintained at 26°C for 17 days. In shrimp fed at either 26 or 32°C, polar lipids were the main constituents of total identified lipid classes in muscle tissue (66–71%), while neutral lipids were more abundant in hepatopancreas (82–88%). Higher levels of triglycerides were observed in lipids of shrimp hepatopancreas kept at 32°C, but no other lipid class was affected by temperature. A significantly higher proportion of 22:6n‐3 was consistent in muscle and hepatopancreas polar and neutral lipids of shrimp maintained at 26°C. In response to food deprivation, the amount of polar lipids, but not neutral lipids, was reduced by approximately 28% in muscle tissue, whereas all lipid reserves were almost depleted in the hepatopancreas. The variable consumption of some individual fatty acids was observed in polar and neutral lipids of both tissues.     

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.     

Effect of light limitation on the water quality,bacterial counts and performance of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae reared with biofloc at low salinity

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of light limitation on the water quality, bacterial counts and performance of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae reared with biofloc at low salinity (≈9 g L^?1). Two treatments were designed: T₁ = culture with natural sunlight and T₂ = culture in darkness. After 28 days, in both treatments, the final weight of shrimp was over 0.6 g with a specific growth rate over 7.4% d^?1, and a survival rate over 70%. In both treatments, Vibrio sp. concentration presented low values (culture with natural sunlight = 0.1 to 9.9 × 10² CFU mL^?1, culture in darkness = 0.4 to 11.7 × 10² CFU mL^?1) and Bacillus sp. had high values (culture with natural sunlight = 0.7 to 66.0 × 10⁴ CFU mL^?1, culture in darkness = 0.7 to 65.8 × 10⁴ CFU mL^?1). All water quality parameters remained within the ranges suitable for shrimp culture, except for alkalinity during the first stage of the study. Although in some sampling periods some significant differences were found in bacterial counts and water quality parameters, shrimp productive performance under culture with biofloc at low salinity was not affected significantly by light limitation.     

Enhancement of reproductive performance in shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) by supplementation of Ulva clathrata meal in maturation diet in two commercial hatcheries

The effect of supplementing dehydrated seaweed Ulva clathrata (20 g/kg) in the squid fraction of a formulated fresh diet on the reproductive performance of Litopenaeus vannamei broodstock was evaluated in two commercial hatcheries (A and B). The origin of broodstock, use of ablation on females, tank/culture conditions (for maturation, spawning, and larval rearing) were different between hatcheries. Daily mortality was higher (p < .01) for females in the control group compared to Ulva‐fed group of hatchery A, where females were ablated. No differences in mortality were found for unablated females in hatchery B, or with males from either hatchery. In hatchery A, broodstock fed Ulva produced more eggs (an increase in +5% compared to control, p < .05) and nauplii per female (+18%, p < .01). In hatchery B, broodstock fed Ulva produced significantly more eggs (+26%, p < .05) and nauplii per day (+33%, p < .05). In hatcheries A and B, eggs from broodstock fed Ulva had increased hatching rates (+13 and +7%, respectively, p < .001 in both cases). The number of spawns per day had a tendency to be higher in broodstock fed Ulva in both hatcheries, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (+14% for hatchery A and +20% for hatchery B). Dehydrated U. clathrata appears therefore as a functional additive in L. vannamei maturation diets that enhances the reproductive performance at commercial scale, regardless of the management conditions.     

Effect of different concentrations of potassium and magnesium on performance of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae reared in low-salinity water and a biofloc system

Effect of K⁺ and Mg²⁺ in water on the performance of Litopenaeus vannamei using bioflocs was evaluated. Control had water with K:Mg (1:4.57) and other treatments (K:Mg of 1:5.4, 1:4.65, and 1:3.77), both with salinity of 4 g/L. Initial mean weight of shrimp was 0.08 ± 0.007 g. No difference in shrimp growth performance and survival was observed (P > 0.05) except in the control. Our results suggest that it is possible to culture postlarvae of Litopenaeus vannamei in low-salinity water with bioflocs when the water has an initial potassium concentration of 30.90 ± 8.5 mg/L and magnesium of 167.0 ± 3.9 mg/L.     

Daily activity pattern of the marine shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931) juveniles under laboratory conditions

Lack of information on the daily activity patterns of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931) might result in inadequate feed management strategies in shrimp farms. In order to provide information to improve feed management in shrimp farms, the daily activity of juvenile shrimp reared in glass aquaria was studied, using L. vannamei (7.57±1.01 g), equivalent to 33 shrimp m^?2. Thirty‐two shrimp were observed, half in light and half in dark phase, over 280 h in 15 min h^?1 windows. Feed was provided once a day, at 10% of tank biomass. Swimming, exploration of substrate, inactivity and cleaning were recorded through instantaneous focal sampling. During the dark phase, swimming was predominant and alternated with exploration. In the light phase, inactivity was predominant, and again alternated with exploration. Cleaning occurred evenly in both the light and the dark. Substrate exploration, which characterizes the search for food, occurred in both dark and light phases, with a most intense peak 7 h after light phase onset, indicating this as the optimal feed offer.     

Feeding responses of juvenile shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) fed at different frequencies under laboratory conditions

In shrimp farms, food partitioning during the course of the day is contradictory, ethology studies may help in determining the proper frequency. Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles were placed in 30 L aquariums (41 m⁻²), exposed to a 12:12 h light–dark cycle. Feeding was provided at 10% of biomass three, four and seven times per day, with observations made in 15 min h⁻¹ windows, initiated after the ration was offered. Latency to access the feeding tray and to start eating was recorded using instantaneous focal sampling and digestive tract filling (DTF) by the continuous focal method. Weight gain was recorded at the end of the experiment. We performed seven repetitions, with 28 individuals observed for 33 days for each treatment (490 h of observation). The three-times offering induced less latency for accessing the tray and for ingesting the feed as well as a higher DTF when compared with the other frequencies. Animals fed three and four times had similar weight gains, and were greater than those fed seven times. Our results indicate that a more spaced food offering stimulates the search for and ingestion of feed. As compared with other frequencies, the three-times-per-day option assumes lower labour costs and a more efficient use of the feed.     

Quantitative dietary isoleucine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) reared in low-salinity water

This study was designed to determine the isoleucine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in low-salinity water (0.50–0.70 g L^?1). Six diets were formulated to contain 410 g kg^?1 crude protein with fish meal, peanut meal and pre-coated crystalline amino acids with different concentration of l-isoleucine (9.35, 11.85, 14.35, 16.85, 19.35, and 21.85 g kg^?1 dry diet, defined as diet I1, diet I2, diet I3, diet I4, diet I5 and diet I6, respectively.). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate treatments of 30 shrimps (0.43 ± 0.005 g), and the feed trial lasted for 8 weeks. The results indicated that the weight gain significantly increased with increasing isoleucine concentration up to 14.35 g kg^?1 (diet I3), whereas it was reduced in the treatments exceeding 16.85 g kg^?1 isoleucine (diet I4) significantly (P < 0.05). Moreover, the highest body protein deposition and protein efficiency ratio, and the lowest feed conversion ratio, haemolymph aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were also found at treatment I3–I4 (P < 0.05). And the haemolymph urea nitrogen concentration of shrimps-fed diet I6 was particularly higher than those fed with diets I1–I5 (P < 0.05). The results of polynomial regression based on weight gain, feed efficiency and body protein deposition indicated that the optimal dietary isoleucine requirement for L. vannamei reared in low-salinity water was 15.95 g kg^?1 isoleucine of dry diet, correspondingly 38.81 g kg^?1 of dietary protein.     

Proteome modifications of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) muscle under biofloc system

The objective of the study was to examine the effects of biofloc technology on the muscle proteome of Litopenaeus vannamei. Two biofloc treatments and one control were compared: biofloc‐based tanks under zero‐water exchange fed with 150 g/kg crude protein (BF15), or with 250 g/kg crude protein (BF25) diets, and clear water tanks with 50% of daily water exchange stocked with shrimp fed with similar amount of a 250 g/kg crude protein diet, referred to as control. The shrimp (5.28 ± 0.42 g) were divided into the 300‐L fibreglass tanks (water volume of 200 L) at a density of 35 shrimp per tank and were cultured for 35 days. The biofloc groups displayed better growth and survival compared to the control. The muscle tissue from the control and BF25 groups was subjected to proteomic analysis. Lactate dehydrogenase, enolase, arginine kinase, mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit alpha, mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor factor 1 precursor, serpin 3 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 had an increased abundance in the BF25 group, while myosin heavy chain type 1 and myosin heavy chain type 2 showed a decreased abundance. The results indicate that biofloc technology could alter the expression of proteins involved in structure, metabolism and immune status of cultured shrimp.     

Quantitative dietary threonine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) reared in low-salinity water

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the threonine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in low-salinity water (0.50–1.50 g L⁻¹). Diets 1–6 were formulated to contain 360 g kg⁻¹ crude protein with fish meal, wheat gluten and pre-coated crystalline amino acids with six graded levels of l -threonine (9.9–19.0 g kg⁻¹ dry diet). Diet 7, which was served as a reference, contained only intact proteins (fish meal and wheat gluten). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps (0.48±0.01 g), each four times daily. Shrimps fed the reference diet had similar growth performance and feed utilization efficiency compared with shrimps fed the diets containing 13.3 g kg⁻¹ or higher threonine. Maximum specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio were obtained at 14.6 g kg⁻¹ dietary threonine, and increasing threonine beyond this level did not result in a better performance. Body compositions, triacyglycerol and total protein concentrations in haemolymph were significantly affected by the threonine level; however, the threonine contents in muscle, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities in haemolymph were not influenced by the dietary threonine levels. Broken-line regression analysis on SGR indicated that optimal dietary threonine requirement for L. vannamei was 13.6 g kg⁻¹ dry diet (37.8 g kg⁻¹ dietary protein).     

低盐度条件下的凡纳滨对虾幼虾亮氨酸营养需求

为了探讨低盐度(0.6～0.8 g/L)条件下初始体质量为(0.38±0.004)g的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)幼虾的亮氨酸需求量,以鱼粉、花生麸和L-晶体氨基酸为蛋白源配制含粗蛋白400 g/kg的6种等氮饲料,标记为L7～L12组,各组亮氨酸水平分别为15.95、17.95、19.95、21.95、23.95和25.95 g/kg(饲料干物质).每组3个重复,每个重复30尾虾,进行56 d生长实验.结果表明,凡纳滨对虾幼虾的增重率随饲料亮氨酸水平的升高而升高,当亮氨酸水平达到23.95 g/kg(L11组)时,增重率达到最高值(1143.11±36.40)％,显著高于L7组(P＜0.05);亮氨酸水平继续提高,增重率变化不显著(P＞0.05).幼虾的蛋白质效率、全虾体蛋白沉积率和血淋巴总蛋白随着饲料亮氨酸水平的升高呈现升高趋势,最高值出现在L11组,并显著高于L7组(P＜0.05).各实验组饵料系数、血淋巴谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶活性和尿素氮含量则呈现降低的趋势,最低值出现在L11组,且显著低于L7组(P＜0.05).以增重率为指标,根据折线模型可知,低盐度条件下凡纳滨对虾幼虾的亮氨酸最适需要量为24.80 g/kg饲料,即61.99 g/kg饲料蛋白.     

Effect of diatom supplementation during the nursery rearing of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) in a heterotrophic culture system

Bio-floc shrimp culture systems have been investigated in an attempt to optimize water use and prevent the discharge of effluent into the environment. The importance of microalgae in maintaining water quality and nutrition of the shrimp is well known in conventional systems; however, its maintenance amid bio-flocs and its role in the shrimp performance in this system are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of diatoms in the performance of Litopenaeus vannamei reared during the nursery phase in intensive system with minimal water exchange. Shrimp (0.31?±?0.10?g) were reared among diatoms, bio-flocs and the combination of the two forming the mixture medium. The survival of shrimp was high in all treatments (90?C97%). However, the shrimp reared among diatoms showed higher weight gain (P?<?0.05) and feed conversion ratio significantly more efficient, reaching a value of 0.47. The results indicate the importance of diatoms in bio-floc culture systems and points out to future research in an attempt to maintain a constant presence of these microalgae in culture medium without requiring successive inoculations.     

Effect of low salinity on microbial floc composition and performance of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) juveniles reared in a zero‐water‐exchange super‐intensive system

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of low salinity on the water quality, microbial flocs composition and performance of Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles reared over 40 days in a zero‐water‐exchange super‐intensive system at 0, 2, 4 and 25 g L^?1. At 0 g L^?1, the mortality was total at the 26th day, and consequently, these salinity data were not included in the statistical analysis. Among the water quality parameters, only pH and the total suspended solids concentration were significantly influenced by salinity. However, a trend towards intensification of the nitrification processes was observed as the salinity increased, with the lowest ammonia and the highest nitrite and nitrate concentrations found at 25 g L^?1. The concentrations of ciliates and flagellates diminished and increased, respectively, with the increase in salinity. Diatoms predominated at 25 g L^?1, whereas at 2 and 4 g L^?1, chlorophytes were more abundant. Microbial floc crude protein content was reduced with the increase in salinity, whereas ash content demonstrated the inverse trend. The best overall growth performance and survival were observed at 25 g L^?1. However, satisfactory productivity was also found at 4 g L^?1, suggesting the viability of rearing L. vannamei at low salinity under zero‐water‐exchange conditions.