Unravelling the diversity and assemblage of phytoplankton in homestead ponds of central coastal belt,Bangladesh

Homestead ponds may offer an ideal opportunity in contribution to household income, fish consumption through fish culture. Phytoplankton plays a key indicator in pond productivity. However, the phytoplankton communities in the homestead ponds are nearly undetermined in Bangladesh. This study summarizes the phytoplankton diversity, assemblage and ecological parameters of the homestead ponds in central coastal belt, Bangladesh, based on two seasons. The results revealed that significant differences (p < .05) were found in pH, DO, conductivity, TDS, nitrates, phosphates and sulphates except temperature in monsoon, and transparency in both seasons. A total of 34 phytoplankton genera representatives of five major groups were recorded such as Euglenophyceae (41.5%), Chlorophyceae (30.5%), Cyanophyceae (13%), Dinophyceae (10%) and Bacillariophyceae (5%). A significant difference (p < .05) in phytoplankton abundance was found in both seasons with the highest mean of 186.13 ± 129.34 × 10⁴ cells L^?1 in monsoon and the lowest mean of 144.40 ± 107.26 × 10⁴ cells L^?1 during winter. The diversity (H'), evenness (J'), richness (d) and dominance (D) ranged from 1.62 to 2.47, 0.52 to 0.97, 0.37 to 1.15 and 0.10 to 0.28 respectively. Based on SIMPER, the most dominant (>10%) genera for dissimilation within stations and seasons were Euglena spp., Phacus spp., Chlorella spp., Strombomonas spp. and Peridinium spp. ANOSIM results stated that 12 genera of phytoplankton were significant contributors based on average dissimilarity. Pearson's correlation coefficient and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed that phytoplankton abundance, diversity and community were mainly governed by transparency, dissolved oxygen and nitrates.     

Use of molasses as a carbon source during the nursery rearing of Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis (Latreille, 1817) in a Biofloc technology system

The present work evaluated the use of molasses as a carbon source during the nursery rearing of Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis in a Biofloc technology system. During a 30 days trial, three replicate tanks were randomly assigned to the following treatments: 1.) molasses (with molasses addition) and 2.) control (without molasses addition). Bacteriological analysis was used to quantify the abundance of presumptive Vibrio spp. between control and molasses treatment. The concentration of this microorganism was lower in molasses compared with control. For the immunological analysis, shrimp haemolymph was collected to determine the total haemocyte count and the total protein concentration. The immunological results were not different between treatments. The performance results of shrimp reared with molasses addition showed that the survival rate (88.87 ± 6.36), the mean final weight (1.22 ± 0.38) and the specific growth rate (0.0309 ± 1.06) were significantly higher compared with control (80.5 ± 2.42; 1.03 ± 0.13; 0.0256 ± 0.97 respectively). Moreover, the addition of molasses contributed to the maintenance of water quality and lower concentration of presumptive Vibrio spp. The control presented an unstable variation of Vibrio spp. reaching values of 80 × 10² CFU/ml, while the highest result of molasses was 20 × 10² CFU/ml, confirming the beneficial effects of molasses addition.     

Seasonal variation in the condition index of Pacific oyster postlarvae (Crassostrea gigas) in a land‐based nursery in Sonora,Mexico

This study examined the seasonal variation in the condition index (CI) of Crassostrea gigas postlarvae (<5 mm) that were cultivated at a commercial hatchery. Oysters were sampled weekly at the nursery using seawater from a lagoon for the grow‐out that precedes commercialization. Temperature, salinity, seston, chlorophyll a, oxygen and pH were recorded at each sampling and water samples were taken to identify phytoplankton groups and their abundance. High levels of primary productivity, chlorophyll a and seston were detected during summer, but the highest CI occurred in winter. During winter, elevated phytoplankton biomass was composed by diatoms and phytoflagellates, which served as the main food source and promoted weight gain in this season. Variations in salinity, oxygen and pH were not related to differences in the CI. However, it appears that the wide temperature variation affected functions, such as feeding activity, apparently enhancing ingestion during winter (mean 16.5±1.4 °C) and reducing ingestion during summer (mean 31±1.5 °C). Winter production resulted in postlarvae with a homogeneous size range and a high CI, indicating that winter is more favourable to start cultivation. The CI represents a practical means to determine the physiological state of postlarvae before transfer to cultivation sites.     

Effects of on‐demand feeding on sea urchin larvae (Paracentrotus lividus; Lamarck, 1816), development,survival and microalgae utilization

This study compared the growth of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus larvae cultured using two different rearing methods: a variable method based on a variable amount of feed (microalgae) and seawater exchange (30% or 50%) established according to the phytoplankton concentration in the larval cultures and a fixed method characterized by a fixed amount of feed and seawater exchange. Three microalgae diets, Isochrysis sp. (Tahitian strain, T‐Iso), Chaetoceros gracilis and a 50:50 mixed diet, were tested with both rearing methods. Larval development and survival were assessed at the 6‐arm pluteus stage (P6), competence (Cp) and metamorphosis (Mt). Data showed that the variable method reduced the requirements for phytoplankton and seawater exchange. Indeed, through the optimization of feed rations, it was possible to reduce the production of debris and settled phytoplankton, minimizing the need for water exchanges. Higher larval survival resulted at Cp and Mt stages for those reared with the variable method as opposed to the fixed one. Survival and development were also influenced by the tested dietary treatments: at Mt stage, the mixed diet resulted in a higher larval survival (63.3 ± 8.9%) than T‐Iso (19.7 ± 12.1%) and C. gracilis (23.4 ± 15.1%) (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the use of the variable method improves the larval survival and development and also it reduces resource consumption (phytoplankton, seawater use and work effort), which in turn could potentially improve the hatchery production of P. lividus.     

Physical and biochemical properties of effluent leaving an onshore Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua,Linnaeus 1758; Gadiformes: Gadidae) aquaculture facility and potential use in integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture

The physical and biochemical properties of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) wastes were analysed, and the waste remediation potential of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) was assessed. Waste generated daily by Atlantic cod represented 24.9% of the cod feed added to the system. Particle distributions determined using a Coulter Multisizer and image analysis revealed that the majority of the particles in terms of numbers occupy the smaller size ranges; however, larger particles occupy a larger proportion of the volume. Effluent was composed of particles <70 μm (36%), 70–500 μm (31%) and particles >500 μm (33%) by weight. The amount of dissolved carbon and nitrogen associated with the effluent represented 3.1% and 3.7%, respectively, of the total feed added to the system daily. Particles <70 μm had significantly less organic matter, lipids and fatty acids and were expected to be ingested more by mussels than larger particles. The major lipid classes present in effluent were free fatty acids, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, acetone mobile polar lipids and sterol. Cod effluent contained two essential fatty acids DHA and EPA, a diatom marker (16:1ω7), as well as two zooplankton markers 22:1ω11 and 20:1ω9, which accumulated in mussels and may serve as markers for aquaculture wastes. Although only 36% of the effluent was of a size suitable for mussel ingestion, this size fraction has the greatest potential to spread to surrounding areas. These particulates may be useful as an alternate food source when natural seston is low.     

Two epizootic Perkinsus spp. events in commercial oyster farms at Santa Catarina,Brazil

Perkinsus spp. have been detected in various bivalve species from north‐east Brazil. Santa Catarina is a South Brasil state with the highest national oyster production. Considering the pathogenicity of some Perkinsus spp., a study was carried out to survey perkinsosis in two oyster species cultured in this State, the mangrove oyster Crassostrea gasar and the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Sampling involved eight sites along the state coast, and oyster sampling was collected during the period between January 2013 and December 2014. For the detection of Perkinsus, Ray's fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM) and histology were used, and for the identification of the species, PCR and DNA sequencing were used. Perkinsus spp. was found by RFTM in C. gigas and C. gasar from São Francisco do Sul. This pathology was also detected in C. gasar from Balneário Barra do Sul both, by RFTM and histology. Perkinsus marinus was identified in C. gigas and C. gasar from São Francisco do Sul and Perkinsus beihaiensis in C. gasar from Balneário Barra do Sul. This is the first report of P. marinus in C. gigas from South America. Results of this preliminary study suggest that both oyster species tolerate the species of Perkinsus identified, without suffering heavy lesions.     

Does Ralstonia eutropha,rich in poly‐β hydroxybutyrate (PHB), protect blue mussel larvae against pathogenic vibrios?

The natural amorphous polymer poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB‐A: lyophilized Ralstonia eutropha containing 75% PHB) was used as a biological agent to control bacterial pathogens of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) larvae. The larvae were supplied with PHB‐A at a concentration of 1 or 10 mg/L for 6 or 24 hr, followed by exposure to either the rifampicin‐resistant pathogen Vibrio splendidus or Vibrio coralliilyticus at a concentration of 10⁵ CFU/ml. Larvae pretreated 6 hr with PHB‐A (1 mg/L) survived a Vibrio challenge better relative to 24 hr pretreatment. After 96 hr of pathogen exposure, the survival of PHB‐A‐treated mussel larvae was 1.41‐ and 1.76‐fold higher than the non‐treated larvae when challenged with V. splendidus and V. coralliilyticus, respectively. Growth inhibition of the two pathogens at four concentrations of the monomer β‐HB (1, 5, 25 and 125 mM) was tested in vitro in LB₃₅ medium, buffered at two different pH values (pH 7 and pH 8). The highest concentration of 125 mM significantly inhibited the pathogen growth in comparison to the lower levels. The effect of β‐HB on the production of virulence factors in the tested pathogenic Vibrios revealed a variable pattern of responses.     

Assessment of plastic ingestion by pole-caught pelagic predatory fish from O'ahu,Hawai'i

1. Although the frequency of occurrence of plastic ingestion in the large-sized dolphinfish and tunas taken by the Hawai'i longline fishery is very low (frequency of occurrence < 5% of sampled individuals), the ingestion of plastic in smaller-sized specimens caught with pole-and-line gear by commercial and recreational fishers has not been investigated.
2. This study examined ingestion of >0.25 mm marine plastic debris (MPD) by four predatory fish species caught by commercial fishers around the Main Hawaiian Islands, and documented ingestion in three species: 85.7% of albacore tuna (n = 7), 40.0% of skipjack tuna (n = 10) and 12.5% of dolphinfish (n = 8).
3. Yellowfin tuna (n = 10) did not contain any MPD, probably owing to the high proportion of empty stomachs (60%).
4. For skipjack tuna, the frequency of occurrence of MPD ingestion was significantly higher for the smaller-sized specimens caught with pole-and-line (40%), compared with the larger-sized specimens caught with longlines (0%).
5. For dolphinfish, the frequency of occurrence of MPD ingestion was similar for the similar-sized specimens caught with pole-and-line and with longlines.
6. The ingested MPD items were micro–meso plastics, between 1 and 25 mm. While most ingested items were fragments, albacore also ingested line and skipjack also ingested sheets.
7. The predatory fishes ingested light MPD items that float in sea water, but there were species-specific differences in their polymer composition: albacore contained more polypropylene and polyethylene, and skipjack contained more elastomers, characterized by a high percentage of ester plasticizers.
8. Altogether, these results suggest that albacore and skipjack tunas ingest plastic of different types and polymers. Yet more research is needed to understand how differences in vertical distribution, foraging ecology and diet influence the MPD sampled by these predatory fish species.

     

Natural food intake by juvenile Arapaima gigas during the grow‐out phase in earthen ponds

In carnivorous fish species, zooplankton is one of the main food items in the early life stages and some fish species continue feeding on such food items further along the life stages even in the farming environment. In this study, the intake of natural food items was assessed in juvenile pirarucu Arapaima gigas reared in earthen ponds. Juvenile pirarucu (12.2 ± 4.32 g and 12.1 ± 1.13 cm) were stocked in fertilized earthen ponds (240 m²). For the analysis of the fish stomach content and plankton in the pond water, the fish and pond water were sampled weekly for 75 days and biweekly until the fish reached a mean weight of 750 g. Although artificial feed was used, pirarucu also ingested the natural food available in the pond water. Among the zooplankton, pirarucu demonstrated feeding preference for cladocerans despite the abundance of rotifers and copepods. Cladocerans were present in more than 80% of the stomach contents of fish up to 300 g and in 65%, 45% and 17% of fish of 301–500 g, 501–700 g and 701–900 g respectively. Copepods were present only in fish up to 500 g at low abundance. High ingestion of insects and plant material was observed in the stomach content of fish of all size classes. The results demonstrate that juvenile pirarucu ingest natural food available in the farming pond and suggests that the adoption of pond fertilization practices may have positive effects on fish growth performance.     

Growth variations within a farm of mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) held near fish cages: importance for the implementation of integrated aquaculture

Fish farming releases extensive amounts of particulate organic waste that can be exploited by bivalves in integrated culture. We tested if mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis cultured at two depths (1 and 6 m) in a raft, moored 170 m from a fish farm had greater growth than bivalves held 550 m from the fish cages. Mussel growth was monitored monthly, covering the second phase of the culture, from thinning‐out to harvest (March to November 2011). We also studied if fish solid and dissolved nutrients increased the organic content of the seston and chlorophyll‐a levels near the fish cages through weekly samples. Results showed no differences in seston, chlorophyll and physiochemical characteristics of the water among rafts. Maximum growth and Condition Index (CI) occurred during spring–summer (April–August), when mussels had access to greater food quality and quantity. Mussels cultivated close to the cages showed similar shell length, weight and CI compared with mussels distant from the fish farm. Average shell length, meat dry weight and CI at harvest were 76.31 mm, 2.51 g and 23%. Bivalves cultured distant from the fish cages displayed 26% higher biomass than the other raft at the end of the experiment. Differences in biomass were explained by the significantly higher recruitment of mussel seed observed at the raft distant from the fish cages from June to November. The lack of a significant enhancement in growth of the bivalves cultured next to finfish is discussed.     

抑食金球藻对翡翠贻贝抗氧化酶系统的影响

本研究以单种抑食金球藻及其与亚心形四爿藻的混合藻为实验组,以亚心形四爿藻为对照,探究抑食金球藻对翡翠贻贝超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量的影响。结果显示,抑食金球藻显著影响翡翠贻贝的SOD活性、MDA和GSH含量,各实验组均表现出诱导升高与抑制降低交替出现的规律。单种高、中浓度的抑食金球藻在短期(3 h)内即可对翡翠贻贝的SOD活性产生影响,混合藻组中的SOD活性上升较慢,说明亚心形四爿藻可以延滞氧化还原系统的反应时间。各实验组翡翠贻贝GSH含量在2 d内均显著低于对照组,且混合藻组与单种抑食金球藻组相差不大,提示亚心形四爿藻对抗氧化还原损伤并未起到明显的缓解作用。     

Suspended culture of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus below a Pacific oyster raft – potential for integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture

To discuss the possibility of co‐culturing Pacific oyster with the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, a field experiment was conducted in an oyster farm. Apostichopus japonicus juveniles (mean wet weight, 0.08 g) were cultured below an oyster raft and at a control station for 216 days, and the wet weight and stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) were analysed together with settling organic matter (OM) collected using sediment traps. All sea cucumbers cultured below the raft survived (survival rate, 100%), while at the control station one individual disappeared (96%). During 216 days, the juveniles at the oyster and control stations grew to a mean weight of 5.5 and 2.6 g, attaining respective specific growth rates of 2.0% and 1.6% (paired t‐test, P < 0.001). Settlement rates of carbon and nitrogen at the oyster station were ~5 times larger than those at the control station. The stable isotope analysis showed that settling OM at both stations originated from coastal phytoplankton and that phytoplankton represented the primary food source for A. japonicus. The rapid growth of A. japonicus at the oyster station was concluded to be due to the abundant supply of oyster biodeposits, which could be ingested by this species.     

Growth of the green mussel, perna viridis L., in a sea water circulating system

Growth of the green mussel, P. viridis L., was studied in a sea water circulating system for 12 months. The maximum growth rate was recorded during March–May, coinciding with the maximum abundance of phytoplankton. The other hydrological parameters did not show any marked correlation with growth rate, which was chiefly influenced by the availability of food. A significant relationship was noted between the shell length and total weight of the mussel, i.e.

$\text{W = 3.7522 L}{}^{1.3007}$

The maximum growth rate (91.62%) was recorded at an early stage and was followed by a sharp decline to 5.78%. The growth pattern of the mussel fitted well with the von Bertalanffy growth equation:

$\text{Lt = 110 (1?e}{}^{\mathrm{?0.1124\; (t+0.0889)}}\text{)}$

     

The morphology–diet relationship and its role in the coexistence of two species of annual fishes

Annual fishes, which inhabit temporary pools with extremely limited habitat complexity and niche availability, display remarkable sexual dimorphism, rapid growth, and enormous investment into reproduction, all traits associated with high energy requirement. This study tests three hypotheses for two syntopic annual fishes (Austrolebias minuano and Cynopoecilus fulgens) found in six wetlands of southern Brazil: (i) considerable morphological differences result in low dietary overlap, (ii) sexual dimorphism in both species leads to intraspecific diet segregation, and (iii) dietary richness increases during ontogenetic development, and is narrower in C. fulgens than A. minuano due to morphological limitations imposed by reduced size. The diet of 82 A. minuano and 211 C. fulgens individuals was analyzed over two annual cycles. The morphology was characterized by 26 measurements covering the entire body of both species. There was no evidence of morphological specialization related to food competition and the diet of A. minuano and C. fulgens showed high overlap. High food availability, high predator abundance, and high connectivity of adjacent wetlands are likely the main mechanisms allowing coexistence of both species. Within species, sexual dimorphism did not result in a decrease in dietary overlap, which reinforces the idea that morphological differences between the sexes did not evolve as a mechanism to decrease food competition. Large A. minuano did not have a more diverse diet than the smaller C. fulgens; however, increase in body size allowed both species to ingest larger prey. Morphological variability in both species was mainly related to ontogenetic development and reproduction.     

Influence of different dietary carbohydrate sources on the growth and intestinal microbiota of Litopenaeus vannamei at low salinity

Because of the increasing market potential of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and limited availability of coastal areas for production, culture of L. vannamei at low salinity is a growing trend throughout the world. Dietary manipulation could improve the growth performance of L. vannamei at low salinity. This study reared L. vannamei with glucose, sucrose and corn starch as dietary carbohydrate sources, respectively, at a low salinity. The results indicated that the sucrose and glucose feeding groups showed better growth performance. An Illumina‐based sequencing method was used to examine the intestinal bacterial composition and the results indicated that Proteobacteria were the most prevalent members, but abundance of Actinobacteria decreased while Firmicutes increased in the corn starch‐fed group. Furthermore, bacteria related to complex carbohydrate degradation were in lower abundance, whereas the abundance of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria increased in corn starch‐fed group than the other two groups, suggesting that the diet imposes selective pressure on the intestinal microbiota. Complex carbohydrates were not the ideal energy sources for L. vannamei at low salinity because the host has higher energy demand in the stressful conditions while the complex carbohydrate degradation efficiency of the gut microbiota in L. vannamei is limited.     

Climate‐driven winter variations of Calanus sinicus abundance in the East China Sea

Global environmental changes threaten the sustainable use of resources and raise uncertainties regarding marine populations' responses in a changing Ocean. The pelagic copepods of the genus Calanus play a central role in shelf ecosystems transferring phytoplankton carbon to harvested populations, from boreal to temperate regions. Here we examined a 15‐yr time series of Calanus sinicus abundance in regards to climate forcing in the East China Sea. We identified a compound effect of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and the East Asian Winter Monsoon (EAWM) on environmental conditions in the East China Sea. Such climate influences not only a southward transport of C. sinicus from its population centres into the Taiwan area, but favours advantageous thermal conditions for the species as well. On the interannual scale, our results show that the population size of C. sinicus echoes climate‐driven temperature changes. Hence, the possibility of using the PDO and EAWM variability for assessing and predicting interannual abundance changes of C. sinicus in the East China Sea is considered. The observed close relationship between climate and C. sinicus may promote bottom‐up controls in the pelagic food web, further influencing the southern edge of the species' geographic distribution. Owing to the prominent role this species plays in food web dynamics these results might help integrative fisheries management policies in the heavily exploited East China Sea.     

The use of diatom Skeletonema costatum on aquaculture‐produced purple sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) larvae and post‐larvae diet

The quality of the microalgae provided on Paracentrotus lividus larvae rearing is a primordial factor having a direct (nutritional properties) and indirect (water quality) impact on growth, competence and survival. Skeletonema costatum is a diatom commonly used in the bivalve cultivation. However, the use of this diatom in P. lividus larval cultivations is poorly known. The Rhodomonas spp. is a microalgae commonly used in sea urchin larvae culture. Three different diets were tested on P. lividus larvae and post‐larvae cultivation (D1—Rhodomonas marina, D2—S. costatum, D3—mixture of both algae). Larvae fed with the D2 diet (55.8%) and D3 (39.9%) had a survival at 15 DAH higher than D1 (5.5%). The low survival in D1 could be due to the higher microbiological load on microalgae (Vibrio alginolyticus and V. pectenicide). Larvae fed with S. costatum (D2) showed a lower development than other diets. The competency index was lower for larvae fed with the D2. These results show that microalgae diversified diets contribute to a better development of P. lividus larvae. During the settlement and post‐settlement phase, there was also a lower growth of the sea urchin fed with the D2 and a higher survival for D3.     

Relationship between concentrations of odorous compounds and biomass of phytoplankton and actinomycetes in freshwater ponds of Beijing,China

The odorous compounds including geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) were detected in intensively cultivated freshwater ponds in Beijing, China, by coupling head space solid-phase microextraction with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Moreover, the biomass of phytoplankton and actinomycetes in the fishponds were determined simultaneously, and the relationship between the concentrations of these odorous compounds and the biomass of phytoplankton and actinomycetes was assessed. The results showed that among the odorous compounds detected, geosmin was the main one, and concentrations of 1.22–35.58 ng l⁻¹ were found in all fishponds. Besides, MIB with 1.39–6.00 ng l⁻¹ was found in parts of fishponds. Six phyla and 22 genera of algae were observed in the fishponds with a biomass of 17.33–178.34 mg l⁻¹, among which dominant phyla were Bacillariophyta and Euglenophyta. Four genera of actinomycetes with a gross biomass of 0–76 × 10⁴ ind l⁻¹ were found in the fishponds, of which Streptomyces spp. was the dominant genera. This indicated that geosmin concentration in fishponds was related with the total biomass of the dominant algae. The results showed that Melosira spp. and Cyclotella spp. were the main microalgae to cause off-flavor in Beijing’s intensively cultivated freshwater ponds in summer and autumn, while Euglenophyta and other algaes played a small role in causing off-flavor.     

Transmission of Mycobacterium chelonae and Mycobacterium marinum in laboratory zebrafish through live feeds

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a popular vertebrate model organism used in a wide range of research fields. Mycobacteriosis, caused by Mycobacterium species, is particularly concerning because it is a common disease associated with chronic infections in these fish. Infections are also a source of uncontrolled experimental variance that may influence research results. Live feeds for zebrafish are common and include paramecia (Paramecium caudatum), brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) and rotifers (Branchionus spp.). Although nutritionally beneficial, live feeds may pose a biosecurity risk. In this study, we investigate transmission of Mycobacterium chelonae and Mycobacterium marinum through these three live feeds. We show that all three live feeds ingest both M. marinum and M. chelonae and can transmit mycobacterial infections to zebrafish. This observation emphasizes the need for live feeds to be included in the consideration of potential biosecurity risks. This study is of importance to other beyond the zebrafish community, including those of additional aquatic models and those using live feeds for other types of aquaculture.     

Effects of adding sucrose on Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798) growth performance and water quality in a biofloc system

A 60‐day indoor growth trial was conducted to study the effects of biofloc on the growth performance of a Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798), water quality and biological indicators including biofloc volume, chlorophyll‐a, heterotrophic bacteria and Bacillus quantity. Two concentrations of sucrose (0 and 75%) were added daily to the P. monodon culture systems (2.94 ± 0.11 g), which were conducted indoors in fibre‐glass tanks (500 L). Results showed that the final body weight and weight gain of the adding 75% sucrose group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the control, as well as significantly (P < 0.05) improved specific growth rates and survival rates, and reduced feed coefficient. Adding 75% sucrose promoted heterotrophic bacteria, Bacillus and phytoplankton reproduction, and significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the concentration of ammonia‐N (NH₄‐N), nitrite‐N (NO₂‐N) and nitrate‐N (NO₃‐N). The changes of water quality indicators in the two groups showed the similar trend at the end of the experiment, and the ammonia‐N, nitrite‐N, nitrate‐N and phosphate‐P concentrations in the 75% sucrose group were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the control group, Chlorophyll‐a concentrations peaked at 389.12 μg/L in the biofloc sucrose group at 18:00 h, and heterotrophic bacteria peaked 8 h after sucrose was added. The addition of sucrose also reduced the pH of the water. Our research showed that adding sucrose promoted biofloc formation and shortened the formation time; increased the number of heterotrophic bacteria and algae which might play a role in improving water quality by assimilating ammonia‐N and other harmful substances in the water; supplemented food for P monodon growth; and reduced the feed coefficient.