Evaluation of an alternative salt mixture to culture Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in inland aquaculture

Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, exhibit a remarkable ability to tolerate low‐salinity environments, facilitating its culture far from coastal areas using various production systems at salinities less than 15 g/L. Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and biofloc systems are usually operated using reconstituted sea salt (RSS), which is a considerable financial burden to commercial producers due to its higher price. Current study was carried out with the objective of testing the efficacy of a low‐cost salt solution to replace expensive RSS to grow shrimp under laboratory conditions. Low‐cost salt mixture (LCSM) was formulated to yield sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium concentrations closely comparable to that of diluted seawater using agriculture grade sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulphate, potassium oxide, calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. Growth trials were conducted at three different salinities of 3, 6 and 15 g/L, incrementally replacing RSS with LCSM (0, 2.5, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) at four replicates per treatment. Twenty juvenile shrimp were reared for 42 days in 150 L polyethylene tanks. Ionic profile of water, ionic profile and osmolality of shrimp haemolymph were determined to justify growth and survival data through analysing ionic variations and osmoregulatory capacity of shrimp. At the conclusion, no significant differences were observed in survival, growth, osmoregulation and levels of cations in shrimp haemolymph between RSS and LCSM treatments at all salinities examined. Results reflect the potential use of LCSM to replace RSS which could be an excellent solution to bring down the cost of production in inland shrimp aquaculture.     

Supplementation of potassium, magnesium and sodium chloride in practical diets for the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, reared in low salinity waters

The culture of Litopenaeus vannamei in inland low salinity waters is currently being practiced in various countries around the world. These environments are often deficient in key ions essential for normal physiological function, including potassium (K⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺). Farmers have sometimes been able to counteract ionic deficiencies in the water profile by adding mineral salts containing sources of K⁺ and Mg²⁺. The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of correcting deficiencies of K⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the water profile with dietary supplementation of these minerals. Two separate 7‐week experiments were conducted in 4.0 g⁻¹ artificial low salinity water to evaluate the effects of mineral supplements (K⁺, Mg²⁺ and NaCl) to diets of L. vannamei reared in low salinity waters. In trial 1 seven diets were formulated (10 g NaCl kg⁻¹, 20 g NaCl kg⁻¹, 150 mg kg⁻¹ Mg²⁺, 300 mg kg⁻¹ Mg²⁺, 5 g K⁺ kg⁻¹, 10 g K⁺ kg⁻¹, and a basal diet to serve as a control). Minerals were added in the form of purified potassium chloride (KCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl₂·6H₂O) and NaCl. Trial 2 evaluated the use of a coating agent for the Mg²⁺ and NaCl treatments, while a K⁺ amino acid complex was utilized in the K⁺ treatments to reduce mineral leaching. Trial 2 was performed using similar treatment levels as trial 1. Shrimp survival and growth were assessed in both experiments. Results from trial 1 indicated no significant differences in survival, growth or percent weight gain. Results from trial 2 revealed no significant differences in survival and growth in the NaCl and Mg²⁺ treatments. However, significant differences in growth (P < 0.05) were observed when using the 10 g K⁺ kg⁻¹ treatment, suggesting that dietary supplementation of a K⁺ amino acid complex may help improve growth of the species in low salinity waters.     

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

The experiment was conducted to determine the leucine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in low‐salinity water (0.50–1.20 g L^?1). Six diets were formulated to contain 410 g kg^?1 crude protein with fish meal, peanut meal and precoated crystalline amino acids with different concentration of l ‐leucine (16.72, 19.60, 22.06, 24.79, 27.28 and 30.16 g kg^?1 dry diet). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps (0.38 ± 0.002 g), and the feed trial lasted for 8 weeks. The results indicated that the maximum weight gain was observed at 24.95 g kg^?1 dietary leucine group, whereas the diets containing higher leucine concentration conversely reduced the growth performance (P < 0.05). Moreover, the highest body protein content and body protein deposition and the lowest haemolymph AST and ALT activities were also found at 24.95 g kg^?1 dietary leucine group. With the increase in leucine in diets, a dose‐dependent increase was found in body lipid content and haemolymph urea concentration. The polynomial regression calculated using weight gain, feed efficiency and body protein deposition indicated that the optimal dietary leucine requirement for L. vannamei reared in low‐salinity water was 23.73 g kg^?1 leucine of dry diet, correspondingly 57.88 g kg^?1 of dietary protein.     

凡纳滨对虾不同世代生长性状的变异

对从美国进口的选育凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)海南群体(进口亲虾繁育的第1世代,G1)、山东和饶平群体(G2)、湛江2和湛江3群体(G3)、湛江1和上海群体(G4)共7个养殖群体4个世代1150个个体的生长性状体长和体重进行了分析。7个群体的平均体长(范围)分别为14.76(13.25~15.99)、8.46(6.28~10.48)、9.24(4.28~10.70)、7.75(5.13~9.36)、11.38(8.13~14.12)、5.25(3.47~6.83)和7.14(4.14~9.00),变异系数分别为0.04、0.08、0.08、0.09、0.12、0.14、0.14,平均体重(范围)分别为33.41(24.33~39.74)、5.19(1.80~9.68)、6.95(3.18~11.34)、4.62(1.52~9.87)、15.03(6.00~26.96)、1.47(0.48~3.42)、3.29(0.49~6.20),变异系数分别为0.10、0.23、0.21、0.27、0.32、0.39、0.36。体长和体重的变异系数随着繁育世代的增加而增加,其中体重的变异系数每繁殖1代增加10%,其第1代的变异系数与美国选育的亲本群体相同。体长、体重相关与回归分析表明,体长与体重相关极显著(P<0.01),体长和体重的回归方程为W=0.01L2.93。表明随着繁育世代的增加,生长性状逐代分化。     

Investigation of geographic origin,salinity and feed on stable isotope profile of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Increasing numbers of mislabelled seafood products in the globalized market underline the need for approaches to identify the origin of these products. Pacific white shrimp cultured in different salinities (Litopenaeus vannamei) from 16 locations in China and USA were collected and differentiated based on δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values. The δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of 16 commercial feeds used in shrimp culture were measured and effects of feed on C and N stable isotope composition in shrimp were investigated. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis of the shrimp did not provide means to discriminate farmed shrimp from China and USA. However, the shrimp cultured in water with high salinity were enriched in ¹³C compared to shrimp cultured in freshwater and this provided another basis for discrimination. The correlation between δ¹³C in feed and shrimp was not significant, while the δ¹⁵N in feed and shrimp showed a trend of positive correlation.     

Growth and performance of the whiteleg shrimp Penaeus vannamei (Boone) cultured in low‐salinity water with different stocking densities and acclimation times

We evaluated the performance of whiteleg shrimp Penaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) in response to different stocking densities and acclimation periods. Shrimp postlarvae were acclimated from seawater (30 g L^?1) to low‐salinity well water (<1.0 g L^?1) at a constant hourly reduction rate of 40, 60, 80 and 100 h. After acclimation to low‐salinity well water, postlarvae from each acclimation time treatment were stocked in three replicate tanks at densities of 50, 100, 150 or 200 shrimps m^?2 for 12 weeks of growth. Salinity averaged <1.0 g L^?1 for each growth study. The different treatments resulted in significant differences in both the final body weight and the survival rate (SR). Shrimp acclimated for 100 h showed substantially improved survival (83%) relative to shrimp acclimated for shorter periods. Shrimp yields for all cultured periods ranged from 0.32 kg m^?2 in tanks stocked at 50 m^?2 to 1.14 kg m^?2 in tanks stocked at 200 m^?2. We conclude that whiteleg shrimp can be successfully grown in low‐salinity well water, and that the growth, production output and SRs are significantly higher when shrimp are acclimated for longer periods.     

Influence of variation in water temperature on survival,growth and yield of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in inland ponds for low‐salinity culture

There is considerable interest in the culture of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in inland low‐salinity water in Alabama and other states in the Sunbelt region of the US. However, the growing season is truncated as compared with tropical or subtropical areas where this species is typically cultured, and temperature is thought to be a major factor influencing shrimp production in the US. This study, conducted at Greene Prairie Aquafarm located in west‐central Alabama, considered water temperature patterns on a shrimp farm in different ponds and different years; and sought possible effects of bottom water temperature in ponds on variation in shrimp survival, growth and production. Water temperature at 1.2 m depth in 22 ponds and air temperature were monitored at 1‐hr intervals during the 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 growing seasons. Records of stocking rates, survival rates and production were provided by the farm owner. Correlation analysis and linear mixed model analysis of variance were used. Results showed that hourly water temperatures differed among ponds. The range of water temperature in each pond explained 41% of the variance in average final weight of shrimp harvested from each pond. In conclusion, the results suggest that variation in water temperature patterns has considerable influence on shrimp growth and survival in ponds.     

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).     

On-farm evaluation of three different hatchery sources of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultured in on-levee tanks in low-salinity waters of west Alabama

ABSTRACT

Shrimp farmers in Alabama who produce the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, have recently reported abnormally low survival at harvest. Farmers have hypothesized that this phenomenon may be due to disease, toxic algae, shrimp source, or reduced shrimp robustness in later stages of production. To compare performance of shrimp from different sources, postlarvae were obtained from three different hatcheries and stocked on the same day in on-levee tank systems (TS) on two farms (Farm 1-TS; Farm 2-TS1; Farm 2-TS2). Following 104 days of culture on Farm 2-TS1 and Farm 2-TS2, there were no differences in survival (72.8%–91.2%) or final weight (19.8–24.6 g). At Farm 1-TS following 107 days of culture, there were differences in survival from shrimp sourced from one hatchery (40.5%) compared to the other two hatcheries (61.0%–69.8%). Results demonstrated acceptable growth performance and survival from all hatchery sources.     

Effects of different dietary copper sources on the growth and intestinal microbial communities of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary copper sources on growth performance and intestinal microbial communities of juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Four isonitrogenous (420 g/kg crude protein) and isolipidic (70 g/kg crude lipid) experimental diets were formulated to contain different copper sources, Diet NSC (no‐supplemented copper), Diet CS (copper sulphate), Diet Availa (copper amino acid complex from Availa^®Cu100) and Diet M (1:1, copper sulphate + copper amino acid complex). A total of 360 Pacific white shrimp juveniles (initial weight: 1.86 ± 0.03 g) were randomly allocated into four groups, with three replicates per group and 30 shrimps each replicate. An Illumina‐based sequencing method was used to analyse the intestinal bacterial composition of shrimp juveniles. The results revealed that shrimps fed Diet M had significantly higher percent weight gain (PWG) than that fed Diet NSC and Diet CS, while there were no significant differences between Diet M and Diet Availa. Survival was not affected by the dietary copper sources. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were dominant in the intestines of Pacific white shrimp. Shrimps fed Diet M and Diet Availa had higher bacterial richness and diversity than those fed Diet NSC and Diet CS with no significant differences among all treatments. Furthermore, Diet M and Diet Availa which contained copper amino acid complex reduced the relative abundance of Vibrionaceae in shrimp intestinal tract. This study indicated that dietary copper sources could affect the intestinal microbial communities and diets supplemented with Availa^®Cu100 could have a positive impact on the growth performance and decrease the potential risk of disease in Pacific white shrimp.     

Utilization of fermented soybean meal for fishmeal substitution in diets of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Two feeding experiments were carried out to evaluate the utilization of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) in diets for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The digestibility experiment was assessed with four diets: a reference diet and three ingredient test diets containing FSBM, local and Chilean fishmeal. The growth experiment was conducted including four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets formulated to contain the graded levels of dietary fishmeal (0 g/kg, 150 g/kg, 300 g/kg and 450 g/kg) substituted by FSBM. The results indicated that ADCs of crude protein in FSBM were high (888.4 g/kg) and equal in local fishmeal but little lower than Chilean fishmeal while without any significant differences observed in ADCs of crude lipid among the different test ingredients. After 75 days of growth trial, survival rates and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different among the experimental treatments. However, shrimp fed the diets with increasing inclusions of FSBM had a tendency to reduce weight gain and specific growth rate. Based on the correlation between weight gain and substituted fishmeal level analysed by broken‐line regression, the optimum level of fishmeal replaced by FSBM in diet was 253.6 g/kg without adverse effects on growth and feed utilization of Pacific white shrimp.     

Use of Porcine Meal in Plant‐based Practical Diets for Pacific White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

Two growth trials were conducted to evaluate and confirm the efficacy of a porcine meal (PM) with high protein content (>90%) as an alternative feed ingredient in commercial‐type feed formulation for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Six experimental diets were formulated for the two growth trials. The first five diets contained increasing levels (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6%) of PM as a replacement for soybean meal in a plant‐based diet with low inclusion level (6%) of fish meal (FM). The last experimental diet was produced utilizing 4.2% PM to completely replace FM. In Trial 1, shrimp (1.5 g initial mean weight, 20 shrimp/tank, n = 4) were offered test diets for 6 wk in a semirecirculation system. At the end of Trial 1, shrimp fed with the diet containing 6% PM exhibited significantly enhanced weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and survival compared to those fed with the diet devoid of FM. As survival was poor across all treatments and different densities could mask growth results the trial was repeated. In Trial 2, shrimp (0.85 g, 15 shrimp/tank, n = 4) were offered diets for 6 wk. Dietary supplementation of PM at 6% significantly improved WG, FCR, and apparent net protein retention in contrast with the treatment devoid of FM, confirming the same trends in Trial 1. No significant difference was detected in protein, lipid, moisture, and mineral profiles of whole‐body shrimp as well as survival across all the treatments. Results of this study indicate that PM is a good high protein source in shrimp feeds, which can be included up to 6% in the low FM‐based diet without compromising the growth of shrimp.     

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.     

Dietary 5‐aminolevulinic acid enhances adenosine triphosphate production,ecdysis and immune response in Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone)

Previous studies have shown that 5‐aminolevulinic acid (5‐ALA), a precursor of haem, can enhance haem synthesis and the activity of haemoproteins. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary 5‐ALA on Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone). Dietary groups included basal diet (BD, control) and BD plus 15, 30 and 60 ppm 5‐ALA (ALA15, ALA30 and ALA60 respectively). Hepatopancreas adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels increased with increasing 5‐ALA concentration (ALA60 p < 0.05) after 2 weeks of feeding. 5‐aminolevulinic acid diets significantly increased the expression of ecdysis‐related genes: nuclear receptor E75 and chitinase 4 (ALA15, ALA30, ALA60), cytochrome P450 Shade (ALA60), chitinase 1 (ALA60) and chitinase 3 (ALA15, ALA60). Catalase (CAT) and prophenoloxidase gene expression levels were also significantly higher in ALA60 after 12 weeks of feeding. Six hours after L. vannamei were exposed to Vibrio parahaemolyticus, total haemocyte count (ALA60) and gene expression levels of CAT (ALA30, ALA60) were significantly higher in 5‐ALA groups compared to the control. 5‐aminolevulinic acid diets also increased survival of L. vannamei following V. parahaemolyticus immersion challenge. These results suggest that supplementing L. vannamei diets with 5‐ALA can enhance ATP production, immune response against V. parahaemolyticus, total haemocyte count and expression of some immune‐related genes. 5‐aminolevulinic acid can also induce ecdysis‐related gene expressions, without adversely affecting growth.     

Nutritional evaluation of an improved soybean meal as a fishmeal replacer in the diet of Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

A 12‐week growth trial was conducted to assess an improved soybean meal (ISBM) in the diet of Pacific white shrimp (PWS). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets were formulated: the control diet (ISBM‐0) contained 30% fishmeal (FM) and three test diets (ISBM‐33, ISBM‐66 and ISBM‐100) were formulated by gradually replacing FM on an isonitrogenous basis. Groups of PWS (3.2 g mean initial weight) were fed their respective experimental diets three times per day. Production performance of PWS was unaffected by diet, except the final weight of shrimp‐fed ISBM‐66 diet was significantly lower than those fed ISBM‐0. Whole‐body moisture was significantly higher and protein was significantly lower in PWS‐fed ISBM‐100 versus shrimp‐fed ISBM‐0. PWS‐fed ISBM‐66 had significantly higher oleic acid than shrimp‐fed ISBM‐0 and linolenic acid versus shrimp‐fed ISBM‐0 and ISBM‐100. The lowest linoleic acid and n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids levels were found in shrimp‐fed ISBM‐100. Based on second‐degree polynomial regression analysis of final weight and weight gain, the estimated optimum levels of ISBM to replace FM in PWS diets are 89.13% and 95.56% respectively. Overall, results indicate alternative, sustainable, plant‐based protein sources such as ISBM may potentially replace FM in PWS diets.     

Comparative study on the utilization of crystalline methionine and methionine hydroxy analogue calcium by Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei Boone)

The objective of this study was to compare the supplemental effects of crystalline DL‐methionine (DL‐Met) and methionine hydroxy analogue calcium (MHA‐Ca) on growth performance of Pacific white shrimp. Eight isoproteinic (355.3 ± 2.0 g/kg diet) and isolipidic (70.0 ± 2.2 g/kg diet) diets were prepared as positive diet (20% fish meal), negative diet (15% fish meal) and DL‐Met, MHA‐Ca‐supplemented diets with the supplementation of 0.03%, 0.06%, 0.09% DL‐Met and 0.04%, 0.07%, 0.1% MHA‐Ca in negative diet respectively. Pacific white shrimp (0.92 ± 0.03 g) were fed one of the eight diets for 49 days. The results showed that dietary DL‐Met did not affect weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p > 0.05), but the supplementation of 0.1% MHA‐Ca significantly increased WG, protein and lipid retention, and reduced FCR (p < 0.05) when compared to the negative group, and reached the similar levels as the positive control. The total free amino acids (TFAA) in haemolymph of MHA‐Ca groups and PC, NC group peaked at the 3rd hr after feeding, but the peaking time of DL‐Met groups was advanced to the 2nd hr. Activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in haemolymph of all MHA‐Ca groups peaked at the 2nd hr, but DL‐Met groups peaked at the 1st hr after feeding. The above results indicated that the supplementation of 0.1% MHA‐Ca in a low fish meal diet could improve the growth performance and feed utilization of Pacific white shrimp, but dietary DL‐Met did not significantly affect the growth.     

Supplementation of sodium chloride in diets to improve the meat quality of Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,reared in low‐salinity water

To investigate the effect of dietary sodium chloride (NaCl) on meat quality of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared in low‐salinity (2 g L^?1) water, shrimp were distributed into four groups (treatments T‐1, T‐2, T‐3 and control) with three replicates. All shrimps were completely randomised stocked into 12 tanks at an initial density of 40 shrimps per tank. Diets for the control, T‐1, T‐2 and T‐3 groups consisted of the basal diet supplemented with 0 g kg^?1, 10 g kg^?1, 20 g kg^?1 and 40 g kg^?1 of NaCl respectively. After 50 days, shrimps in T‐3 showed significantly better (P < 0.05) moisture, crude protein and ash than those of the control and T‐1. Higher muscle Na content was observed (P < 0.05) in T‐3 than that of the control. Significant increases (P < 0.05) in contents of inosinic acid, total free amino acid (TFAA) and essential free amino acid (EFAA) were also found in T‐3. Texture assays showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in hardness, adhesiveness and springiness between group T‐3 as compared with those of T‐1 and control. It indicated that dietary supplementation of NaCl appeared to be a promising practice to improve meat quality of white shrimp reared in low‐salinity waters.     

Water disinfection by ozonation has advantages over UV irradiation in a brackish water recirculation aquaculture system for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

By keeping tropical shrimp, like Litopenaeus vannamei, in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), valuable food for human consumption can be produced sustainable. L. vannamei tolerates low salinities, and therefore, the systems can operate under brackish water conditions. The stabilization of the microbial community in RAS might be difficult under high organic loads, and therefore, water treatment measures like UV irradiation or ozone application are commonly used for bacterial reduction. To investigate the impact of these measures, the effects of UV irradiation and ozone application were studied in small-scale brackish water RAS with a salinity of 15‰ stocked with L. vannamei. UV reactors with 7 and 9 W were used, and by ozonizers with a power of 5–50 mg/hr, the redox potential in the water was adjusted to 350 mV. Ozone had a stabilizing effect on the microbial composition in the water and on biofilms of tank surfaces and shrimp carapaces, prevented an increase of nitrite and accelerated the degradation of nitrate in the water. UV irradiation led to changes in the microbial composition and was less effective in optimizing the chemical water quality. Thus, the use of ozone could be recommended for water treatment in brackish water RAS for shrimp.     

Use of new soybean varieties in practical diets for the Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of eight sources (designated A–H) of soybean meal (SBM) which included six new non‐genetically modified soya varieties in practical feed formulation for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, using both growth and digestibility trials. A soybean meal‐based reference diet was formulated using conventional soybean meal (527 g kg^?1 diet), which was then replaced on an isonitrogenous basis with various other experimental soybean meals. In a 6‐week growth trial, shrimp in four replicate tanks per dietary treatment (10 shrimp per tank, initial weight 0.52 ± 0.04 g) were cultured in a recirculating system. There were no significant differences with respects to per cent weight gain and survival across all dietary treatments; however, final weights and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were lower in shrimp offered diet 3. Apparent digestibility coefficients for the eight (A–H) different soybean meals were determined in L. vannamei for dry matter (ADMD), gross energy (ADE) and crude protein (ADP) using 10 g kg^?1 chromic oxide as inert marker with 70 : 30 replacement techniques. Coefficients ranged from 71.3% to 88.3%, from 76.6% to 91.3% and from 93.6% to 99.8%, for ADMD, ADE and ADP, respectively. Improved digestibility values were observed in soybean C which was characterized by crude protein (471 g kg^?1), crude fat (97 g kg^?1), low cooking temperature (180 °C), higher nitrogen solubility index (689 g kg^?1) and protein dispersibility index (619 g kg^?1). This indicates that new lines of soybean meal can be used to improve digestibility coefficients in shrimp feeds.     

Effect of disinfection with peracetic acid on the microbial community of a seawater aquaculture recirculation system for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

When tropical shrimps are kept in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), one of the limiting factors is the maintenance of a sufficient water quality, and therefore, often disinfectants like peracetic acid (PAA) are added to the water either as prophylactic or treatment measure. In this study, PAA in concentrations of 0.1 mg/L, 1 mg/L and 10 mg/L was applied continuously for 56 days to small-scale seawater RAS stocked with Litopenaeus vannamei. Treatment with 0.1 mg/L did not result in a reduction in the total bacterial amount and therefore was not effective. A concentration of 10 mg/L led to significant changes in the chemical water parameters already after 2 days and was therefore not recommendable. A concentration of 1 mg/L led to increased levels of ammonia and nitrite within 2 days and to a significant increase in the bacterial amount in the water, most probably due to an enhanced growth of heterotrophic bacteria. The microflora showed significant fluctuations, and there were indications that the welfare of the shrimps was affected. Using 1 mg PAA/L for prophylactic use is therefore also not recommendable but might be an alternative option for short-term treatment in cases of disease outbreaks.