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.     

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.     

A comparison between water exchange and settling tank as a method for suspended solids management in intensive biofloc technology systems: effects on shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) performance,water quality and water use

Biofloc systems rely on microbial processes in the water column to recycle animal waste products, reducing the need for water exchange. These increases biofloc concentration in the water and some form of removal is needed. An experiment was carried out to evaluate two management practices to control biofloc in Litopenaeus vannamei culture. Six tanks (48 m³) were divided into two treatments: water exchange and solid settler. Shrimp were stocked at 164 shrimp m^?2 and with 0.67 g of weight. After 61 days, shrimp under solid settler treatment demonstrated mean weight of 12.7 ± 0.5 g with survival of 73.8 ± 1.4%, and those under water exchange had a final weight of 10.1 ± 0.2 g and survival rate of 57.8 ± 11.1%. Total suspended solids did not differ between the treatments: 326.8 ± 24.9 mg L^?1 for water exchange and 310.9 ± 25.3 mg L^?1 for solid settlers. Settleable solids and productivity/respiration ratio was higher (P < 0.05) in water exchange treatment, indicating differences in physical and biological characteristics of bioflocs. Solids removal method influenced the water use, in which 1150 ± 249 L of water was necessary to produce one kilogram of shrimp using water exchange strategy, and 631 ± 25 L kg^?1 with the use of settlers. Our results indicate that continuous operation of settlers can reduce variability in solids characteristics and water quality variables such as ammonia. Both strategies are efficient in controlling biofloc concentrations of the water; however, settlers can reduce water use and improve shrimp production.     

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.     

Influence of stocking density on the behaviour of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931)

Applied ethology can help to improve Litopenaeus vannamei aquaculture. Our purpose was to demonstrate an influence of stocking density on behaviour. The shrimp were first distributed in aquaria and observed via an ad libitum observational method to construct an ethogram of social and feeding behavioural categories. The resulting ethogram consisted of retreat, cannibalism, getting to the feeding tray, occupying the feeding tray and getting feed. We then kept shrimp in aquaria at densities of 50, 75 and 100 animals m^?2 and observed them via a behavioural sampling method using our ethogram as well as focal animal sampling of behaviours derived from the literature. These literature‐derived behaviours consisted of inactivity, feeding, crawling, exploration, burying, swimming and cleaning. We found that stocking density affects the behaviour of the shrimp. Optimal searching and feeding and a low frequency of crawling and swimming occurred at a density of 50 animals m^?2, indicating a higher potential for growth and welfare at this density.     

Artificial substrates in zero‐water‐exchange culture system regulate the rearing performance of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) under the winter indoor condition

Effects of artificial substrates in zero‐water‐exchange culture system on the rearing performance of Litopenaeus vannamei under winter indoor condition were investigated in this study. Growth, survival, feed conversion rate (FCR), production rate of L. vannamei and water quality were compared between artificial substrate‐treated group (AST) and control group (without artificial substrates presented in the rearing environment). Artificial substrates can significantly improve the water quality, the ammonia and nitrite‐N concentrations in the AST group were significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.05), and the total heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp. were also significantly lower in the AST group (P < 0.05). The survival, growth and production rate of L. vannamei in the AST group were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). Significantly lower FCR was observed in the AST group (P < 0.05). Results from this study indicate that the utilization of artificial substrates in the indoor shrimp culture system could effectively control the water quality, improve the survival and growth of shrimp and significantly reduce the FCR. This study provides a guideline for employing artificial substrates in rearing of shrimp in the zero‐water‐exchange culture system under lower temperature, which could be applicable to other similar species.     

Effects of Lactobacillus pentosus on the growth performance,digestive enzyme and disease resistance of white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from digestive tract of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Eighteen LAB colonies were isolated and one bacterium was found capable of producing three extracellular enzymes (protease, cellulose and lipase) simultaneously and exhibited antagonistic activity against shrimp pathogens (Vibrio vulnificus, V. rotiferianus and V. campbellii). The putative probiotic strain AS13 was identified as Lactobacillus pentosus based on 16S rRNA sequencing. The L. vannamei were fed diet containing 0 (control), 10⁶, 10⁷ and 10⁸ CFU g^?1 bacterial cells of AS13 for 28 days. The results showed that supplementation of L. pentosus significantly improved the growth performance and feed utilization in the treated groups over the control. Similarly, digestive enzyme activities were elevated in the intestines of treated groups. Moreover, feeding of supplemented diets containing AS13 significantly reduced the mortality rate caused by pathogenic Vibrio species (V. vulnificus, V. rotiferianus and V. campbellii). Our results indicated L. pentosus AS13 addition at 10⁷ CFU g^?1 can effectively enhance the growth performance, feed utilization, digestive enzymes and disease resistance of L. vannamei in the laboratory condition.     

The contribution of diatoms to bioflocs lipid content and the performance of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) in a BFT culture system

This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of three diatom species on the lipid content of bioflocs, their permanence on the bioflocs and influence on the growth performance of juvenile shrimps. Juveniles of Litopenaeus vannamei were reared (30 days; three replicates per treatment) in biofloc systems inoculated with diatoms Amphora coffeaeformis (A), Cylindrotheca closterium (C), Conticribra weissflogii (W), or biofloc only (BF, chlorophycean rich). Water quality parameters were monitored daily and the microbiota on days 1, 10, 20 and 30. The lipid content and fatty acid profiles of bioflocs were analyzed at the end of the experiment. Shrimp survival rate (99%) at treatment A was significantly higher than at BF. The bioflocs in A treatment presented the highest lipid content, differing significantly from BF and W. The content of EPA (20:5) (n‐3) was significantly higher in A and lower in BF, while linoleic acid (18:2) (n‐6) was significantly higher in BF. The results indicate that high cell density of diatoms can be successfully maintained with silicate addition in biofloc systems and that the pennate A. coffeaeformis and the centric C. weissflogii are potentially better suited than the pennate C. closterium as food supplements for shrimp diets in biofloc nurseries system.     

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.     

Effects of different carbon sources and dietary protein levels in a biofloc system on growth performance,immune response against white spot syndrome virus infection and cathepsin L gene expression of Litopenaeus vannamei

A 5‐week study was performed to evaluate the effect of spoilage date extract (SDE) as the biofloc carbon source on Litopenaeus vannamei (5.4 ± 0.3 g) performance. The two levels of dietary protein (15% and 25% crude protein) and two carbohydrate sources (molasses‐M and SDE‐P) were tested including: M15, M25, P15 and P25. The minimum (0.2 ± 0.0 mg/L) and the maximum (0.5 ± 0.0 mg/L) of total ammonia nitrogen were observed in the P15 and M25 groups respectively. The highest protein efficiency ratio (6.1 ± 0.3) and protein productive value (112.3 ± 5.8%) were found in the P15 group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found between biofloc treatments in the expression of cathepsin L gene in hepatopancreas (p > 0.05). The number of total haemocyte count (THC), semigranular cells (SGC) and granular cells (GC) of shrimp in SDE‐based biofloc treatments was relatively higher than those in molasses‐based biofloc treatments. Following the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenge, a significant decrease in THC, SGC, GC and hyaline cell values was observed in all treatments (p = 0.001). Plasma biochemical parameters were significantly influenced by dietary protein levels, biofloc carbon sources as well as WSSV challenge test. In conclusion, SDE successfully could be used as an alternative carbon source for establishing a biofloc system in L. vannamei production.     

Use of microalgal‐enriched Diaphanosoma celebensis Stingelin, 1900 for rearing Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) postlarvae

The present work investigates the effects of Chaetoceros calcitrans, Nannochloropsis oculata, Tetraselmis tetrahele and Isochrysis galbana diets on the lifespan, growth, neonate production and the nutritional profile of Diaphanosoma celebensis. In addition, the effects of enriched D. celebensis on the survival and growth of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae (PLs) was compared with Artemia. Results showed that significantly higher (P < 0.05) neonate production of D. celebensis was attained when fed with C. calcitrans compared to the other microalgae. In addition, D. celebensis fed on C. calcitrans had significantly higher levels (P < 0.05) of protein, lipid and carbohydrate compared to the other three microalgae. On the other hand, D. celebensis had a significantly (P < 0.05) longer lifespan when fed on N. oculata and T. tetrahele compared to those fed with C. calcitrans and I. galbana. Shrimp PLs fed D. celebensis enriched with C. calcitrans had higher survival and specific growth rate but it was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from PL fed only Artemia, indicating that D. celebensis has potential to be used as live feed for the hatchery rearing of L. vannamei PLs, in place of Artemia. This study illustrated that the quality of the D. celebensis production and proximate composition was highly correlated with the food type, and it can be used as a valuable live feed for shrimp larviculture.     

Studies on the occurrence of infectious myonecrosis virus in pond‐reared Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) in India

Whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, with clinical sign of muscle opaqueness with reddish colour at the distal abdominal segments were observed in farms located in West Bengal State, India. The mortality of shrimp in all disease outbreak ponds ranged from 20% to 50%, and mortality increased gradually. The RT‐PCR assay of these samples using primer sets specific to infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) revealed its presence in the disease outbreak ponds. The IMNV infection was reproduced in healthy shrimp by intramuscular injection to satisfy River's postulates. The virus caused mortality in intramuscularly challenged shrimp, but failed to cause mortality by oral route. Tissue distribution of IMNV in infected shrimp by RT‐PCR assay revealed the presence of this virus in haemolymph, gill, hepatopancreas and muscle. This study confirms that the disease outbreak which occurred in the shrimp farms located at Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal, India, was due to IMNV.     

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.     

Differences in uptake and killing of pathogenic and non‐pathogenic bacteria by haemocyte subpopulations of penaeid shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei, (Boone)

Phagocytosis is an important function of both invertebrate and vertebrate blood cells. In this study, the phagocytic activity of haemocyte subpopulations of penaeid shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, (Boone), against pathogenic and non‐pathogenic particles was investigated in vitro. The haemocytes of penaeid shrimp were firstly separated by centrifugation on a continuous density gradient of iodixanol into four fractions with five subpopulations (sub), of which sub 1 (hyalinocytes) and sub 4 (semi‐granulocytes) have the main function in phagocytosis of both pathogenic and non‐pathogenic bacteria as well as fluorescent polystyrene beads. It was found that these haemocyte subpopulations engulfed virulent Vibrio campbellii and Vibrio harveyi at a higher rate than non‐virulent Escherichia coli and polystyrene beads. When these bacteria were mixed with shrimp haemocyte subpopulations and incubated for 180 min, the percentage of viable intracellular V. campbellii (25.5 ± 6.0%) recovered was significantly higher than the percentage recovered from V. harveyi (13.5 ± 1.1%). No viable intracellular E. coli was observed in this study. In contrast to V. harveyi and E. coli, V. campbellii containing endosomes did not acidify in time. Incubation of haemocyte subpopulations with the most virulent V. campbellii strain resulted in a significant drop in haemocyte viability (41.4 ± 6.3% in sub 1 and 30.2 ± 15.1% in sub 4) after 180 min post‐inoculation in comparison with the less virulent V. harveyi (84.1 ± 5.6% in sub 1 and 83.4 ± 4.1% in sub 4) and non‐virulent E. coli (92.7 ± 2.8% in sub 1 and 92.3 ± 5.6% in sub 4) and polystyrene beads (91.9 ± 1.6% in sub 1 and 84.4 ± 3.4% in sub 4). These findings may be a valuable tool for monitoring shrimp health and immunological studies.     

Genetic variation of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931) culture of Thailand

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is highly pathogenic to penaeid shrimp and has caused significant economic losses in the shrimp farming industry in Thailand. Genotyping analysis was done in 124 WSSV isolates from cultured Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. These samples were obtained during 2007–2014 from eight provinces in Thailand. We investigated five variable loci in the virus genome: deletions in two variable regions, VR14/15 and VR23/24, and three variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) located in open reading frame (ORF) 75, 125 and 94. WSSV genotype was characterized as (X_14/15, X_23/24) (N₇₅‐N₁₂₅‐N₉₄) where X is the number of base pair deletion in the variable region and N is the number of repeat units (RUs) in a specific ORF. The deletion pattern in VR14/15 and VR23/24 regions characterized three WSSV genotypes. The most prevalent genotype was (5950_14/15, 10971_23/24), and it was found in all studied areas. At least 33 genotypes of WSSV were analysed based on 3 VNTR loci, indicating that the VNTRs of WSSV genome are highly variable. From 124 WSSV samples, two samples presented the characteristic of all five variable loci similar to WSSV collected during 2010 in Saudi Arabia (5950_14/15, 10971_23/24) (3₇₅‐6₁₂₅‐7₉₄). Many different WSSV genotypes shown in this study as compared to previously reported genotypes in Thailand suggests current status of disease epidemiology, as well as probable movements of WSSV between countries.     

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.     

Acute toxicity of nitrite on white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) juveniles in low‐salinity water

The nitrite toxicity was estimated in juveniles of L. vannamei. The 24, 48, 72 and 96 h LC₅₀ of nitrite‐N on juveniles were 8.1, 7.9, 6.8 and 5.7 mg L^?1 at 0.6 g L^?1; 14.4, 9.6 8.3 and 7.0 mg L^?1 at 1.0 g L^?1; 19.4, 15.4, 13.4 and 12.4 mg L^?1 at 2.0 g L^?1 of salinity respectively. The tolerance of juveniles to nitrite decreased at 96 h of exposure by 18.6% and 54.0%, when salinity declined from 1.0 to 0.6 g L^?1 and from 2.0 to 0.6 g L^?1 respectively. The safe concentrations at salinities of 0.6, 1.0 and 2.0 g L^?1 were 0.28, 0.35 and 0.62 mg L^?1 nitrite‐N respectively. The relationship between LC₅₀ (mg L^?1), salinity (S) (g L^?1) and exposure time (T) (h) was LC₅₀ = 8.4688 + 5.6764S – 0.0762T for salinities from 0.6 to 2.0 g L^?1 and for exposure times from 24 to 96 h; the relationship between survival (%) and nitrite‐N concentration (C) for salinity of 0.6–2.0 g L^?1, nitrite‐N concentrations of 0–40 mg L^?1 and exposure times from 0 to 96 h was as follows: survival (%) = 0.8442 + 0.1909S – 0.0038T – 0.0277C + 0.0008ST + 0.0001CT–0.0029SC, and the tentative equation for predicting the 96‐h LC₅₀ to salinities from 0.6 to 35 g L^?1 in L. vannamei juveniles (3.9–4.4 g) was 96‐h LC₅₀ = 0.2127 S² + 1.558S + 5.9868. For nitrite toxicity, it is shown that a small change in salinity of waters from 2.0 to 0.6 g L^?1 is more critical for L. vannamei than when wider differences in salinity occur in brackish and marine waters (15–35 g L^?1).     

Effects of low salinity exposure on immunological,physiological and growth performance in Litopenaeus vannamei

Growth, immunological and physiological parameters of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei reared at different salinity levels (1, 10, 15, 25 and 35 g/L) at stocking density of 214 shrimp/m³ were examined at 1, 30 and 63 days. Results showed that the total haemocyte count (THC) of shrimp decreased with time at all salinity levels, indicating a potential reduction in the resistance of shrimp against pathogens, since a low value of THC indicates a perturbation of the immune system. Glucose and protein values observed in the haemolymph throughout the study indicate that shrimp adapted well to low salinities (1, 10 and 15 g/L). Although of those shrimp reared at 10 g/L only 83.3% survived, at this salinity, shrimp depicted a higher glucose concentration in haemolymph at the beginning and end of the study.     

Effects of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) leaf protein concentrate as soybean protein replacement in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) postlarvae diet

The potential of water hyacinth leaf protein concentrate (WHLPC) as an alternative protein source to soybean meal in formulated diets for the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) postlarvae, was assessed. Isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated containing 40% protein and 8% lipid. WHLPC replaced 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% of soybean meal protein in the formulated diets. Twenty postlarval Litopenaeus vannamei weighing 5.0 ± 0.00032 mg were randomly assigned to twelve 30‐L aquarium tanks and were fed experimental diets for 70 days. Results show that the overall biological performance of shrimp in terms of specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed efficiency (FE) and survival in treatment receiving the 25% WHLPC replacement is comparable to that of the control diet. Replacement levels beyond 25% exhibited significant depression in terms of growth performance of the shrimp. Collectively, these findings indicate that WHLPC can replace 25% of soybean meal protein in the formulated diets of L. vannamei.     

White spot syndrome virus epizootic in cultured Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in Taiwan

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has caused significant losses in shrimp farms worldwide. Between 2004 and 2006, Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) were collected from 220 farms in Taiwan to determine the prevalence and impact of WSSV infection on the shrimp farm industry. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis detected WSSV in shrimp from 26% of farms. Juvenile shrimp farms had the highest infection levels (38%; 19/50 farms) and brooder shrimp farms had the lowest (5%; one of 20 farms). The average extent of infection at each farm was as follows for WSSV‐positive farms: post‐larvae farms, 71%; juvenile farms, 61%; subadult farms, 62%; adult farms, 49%; and brooder farms, 40%. Characteristic white spots, hypertrophied nuclei and basophilic viral inclusion bodies were found in the epithelia of gills and tail fans, appendages, cephalothorax and hepatopancreas, and virions of WSSV were observed. Of shrimp that had WSSV lesions, 100% had lesions on the cephalothorax, 96% in gills and tail fans, 91% on appendages and 17% in the hepatopancreas. WSSV was also detected in copepoda and crustaceans from the shrimp farms. Sequence comparison using the pms146 gene fragment of WSSV showed that isolates from the farms had 99.7–100% nucleotide sequence identity with four strains in the GenBank database – China ( AF332093 ), Taiwan ( AF440570 and U50923 ) and Thailand ( AF369029 ). This is the first broad study of WSSV infection in L. vannamei in Taiwan.