Extension of nursery culture of Scylla serrata (Forsskål) juveniles in net cages and ponds

To address the preference of mud crab farmers for larger size Scylla serrata juveniles (5.0–10 g body weight or BW; 3.0–5.0 cm internal carapace width or ICW), a study was conducted to compare the growth and survival of crab juveniles (2.0–5.0 g BW; 1.0–3.0 cm ICW) produced a month after stocking of megalopae in net cages when reared further in net cages installed in earthen ponds or when stocked directly in earthen ponds. In a 3 × 2 factorial experiment, three stocking densities (1, 3 and 5 ind m⁻²), two types of rearing units (net cages or earthen pond) were used. Megalopae were grown to juvenile stage for 30 days in net cages set inside a 4000 m² brackishwater pond and fed brown mussel (Modiolus metcalfei). Crab juveniles were then transferred to either net cages (mesh size of 1.0 mm) or earthen ponds at three stocking densities. After 1 month, no interaction between stocking density and rearing unit was detected so data were pooled for each stocking density and rearing unit. There were no significant differences in the growth or survival rate of crab juveniles across stocking density treatments. Regardless of stocking density, survival in net cages was higher (77.11±6.62%) than in ponds (40.41±3.59%). Growth, however, was significantly higher for crab juveniles reared in earthen ponds. The range of mean BW of 10.5–16.0 g and an ICW of 3.78–4.33 cm obtained are within the size range preferred by mud crab operators for stocking grow‐out ponds.     

Grow-out of sandfish Holothuria scabra in ponds shows that co-culture with shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris is not viable

We examined the potential for producing the large numbers of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) needed for restocking programmes by co-culturing juveniles with the shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris in earthen ponds. Our experiments in hapas within shrimp ponds were designed to detect any deleterious effects of sandfish on shrimp, and vice versa. These experiments showed that a high stocking density of juvenile sandfish had no significant effects on growth and survival of shrimp. However, survival and growth of sandfish reared with shrimp for 3 weeks were significantly lower than for sandfish reared alone. Increased stocking density of shrimp also had a significant negative effect on survival and/or growth of sandfish. A grow-out trial of juvenile sandfish in 0.2-ha earthen ponds stocked with 20 shrimp post-larvae m^− 2, and densities of sandfish between 0.8 and 1.6 individuals m^− 2, confirmed that co-culture is not viable. All sandfish reared in co-culture were dead or moribund after a month. However, sandfish stocked alone into 0.2-ha earthen ponds survived well and grew to mean weights of ∼ 400 g within 12 months without addition of food. The grow-out trial demonstrated that there is potential for profitable pond farming of sandfish in monoculture. Further research is now needed to identify the optimal size of juveniles, stocking densities and pond management regimes.     

Biochemical Composition of Pond Biota, Shrimp Ingesta, and Relative Growth of Penaeus vannamei in Earthen Ponds

Indigenous pond biota contribute to the nutrition of shrimp grown in semi-intensive and extensive earthen ponds. Penaeus vannomei ingesta was used to assess the nutritional contribution of pond biota and applied feed in model 225 m² nominally managed earthen ponds. Biochemical analyses were also performed on representative pond biota and pond environment samples. Average dry matter shrimp ingesta composition ( N = 64) was: available carbohydrate, 4.2%± 1.8%; lipid, 4.8%± 2.3%; available protein, 9.6%± l.0%; carbon, 9.6%± 1.0%; nitrogen, 5.9%± 2.9%. Ingesta carbon decreased from 27.0%± 3.9% on week 2 to 16.3%± 3.3% on week 8, and nitrogen content decreased from 9.5%± 4.3% to 3.6%± 0.8% during the same interval. The decrease of ingesta C:N ratio from weeks 2 to 8 may indicate changing nutritional requirements of the shrimp. Ingesta essential amino acids varied by less than 10% from short-neck clam protein. Except for several samples which were low in arginine, pond biota and environment samples contained amino acid profiles which were close to short-neck clam. Essential fatty acid composition of shrimp ingesta was highly variable. Ingesta 22:6 fatty acid was present in populations of shrimp from ponds experiencing the highest weekly growth rates. Ingesta 22:6 fatty acid was not present in measurable amounts in shrimp experiencing the lowest growth. The unsaturated fatty acids 20:5 and 22:6 were absent from some pond biota and environment samples and abundant in others. The applied diet contained no measurable 20:5 or 22:6. The management implications of shrimp ingesta biochemical analyses are that diets may be fed which nutritionally complement pond biota consumed by the shrimp.     

Split Ponds Effectively Overwinter Golden Shiners

Baitfish producers have expressed interest in adopting the split‐pond production system. However, confining fish to 20% of the pond area in split‐pond systems effectively quintuples fish density within the culture unit as compared with densities in open ponds. Winter conditions are known to be relatively more stressful on smaller fish, and high densities within split‐pond culture units could increase losses. A 139‐d study was conducted during the winter to compare the production of golden shiners, Notemigonus crysoleucas, in traditional earthen ponds and split ponds at two densities. Golden shiners were stocked at 646 kg/ha or 1292 kg/ha (ca. 370,500 or 741,000 fish/ha, respectively) into 12, 0.04‐ha, netted earthen ponds (six split ponds and six traditional). Feeding rate, nightly aeration hours, and daily circulation hours were reduced when water temperature decreased. At harvest, net yields were significantly lower in the split ponds as compared with traditional ponds at each density (53 and 113 kg/ha less in the low‐ and high‐density split‐pond treatments, respectively). Estimated survival was high (>87%) and did not differ among treatments. Results showed that, although net yield was reduced, small baitfish could be successfully overwintered in split‐pond culture units in preparation for the spring crappie market.     

The effects of variation in feed protein level on the culture of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in low-water exchange experimental ponds

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of varying dietary protein level on pond water quality and production parameters of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone). Experimental units consisted of nine 400‐m² earthen ponds with a low water exchange. Two treatments were tested: treatment HP consisted of shrimp fed a high‐protein diet (40%) during the whole grow‐out, and treatment LP consisted of the use of a low‐protein diet for the complete farming period. No differences on any of the water quality parameters were observed among treatments. Excellent survival (over 85%) and feed conversion ratios (around 1.6), and acceptable growth (over 12 g) and biomass (from 1721 to 1793 kg ha^?1) were recorded in all experimental ponds. No significant differences in any of the production parameters were found among treatment groups.     

The Culture of Penaeus semisulcatus in Israel

Growth performance data on Penaeus semisulcatus under semi-intensive pond culture conditions were collected in Israel between 1985 and 1987. In 1985, shrimp growth, from PL to 21.5 g, was accomplished in separate nursery and grow-out phases. Pond production during the grow-out phase was 3,000 and 3,943 kg/ha, and mean weight was 21.5 g. Shipments to Europe revealed a need to produce larger shrimp to maximize revenues. Any increase in individual shrimp weight at harvest would require new management practices. Juvenile shrimp (3.4 to 6.3 g) were held during the winter of 1986 in open ponds and restocked in grow-out ponds in the spring of 1987. Shrimp survival during overwintering was 12 and 15%. A maximum mean shrimp weight of 25.6 g and a maximum pond production of 7,451 kg/ha were obtained in 1987 using this strategy. It is possible that comparable pond production results and shrimp weight, but with higher overall shrimp survival, could be obtained by headstarting shrimp in greenhouses. Two major problems that need to be solved before commercial shrimp culture can succeed in Israel are the formulation of a locally produced feed and the out-of-season induced maturation and spawning of P. scmisulcarus .     

Influence of sediment characteristics on shrimp physiology: pH as principal effect

Penaeid shrimp reared in earthen ponds are exposed to sediment, which can, in some instances, induce a stress. In seawater, the osmoregulatory capacity (hyporegulation) is a useful tool to compare the physiological condition of shrimp exposed to various stressors. By keeping some shrimp in cages at different locations of a single pond heterogeneous in terms of sediment quality, it was possible, using osmotic pressure (OP), to identify some locations where the stress was maximum and some others where it was minimum. Simultaneously, sediment samples were taken and analysed in order to evaluate some physico-chemical parameters that could be related to the stress observed in the shrimps kept in the cages. This approach allowed to show a significant positive correlation between the pH of the sediment surface and the shrimp osmotic pressure. This result was confirmed in a study carried out in experimental 70-l tanks, where osmotic pressure decreased significantly as water pH decreased from 7.0 to 6.5. The methodology developed in this study may be useful to evaluate the stress caused by sediment in shrimp farms.     

CREDIT MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS OF SEMI-INTENSIVE SHRIMP FARMING IN MEXICO

Credit management (funding source with its specific interest rate, its timing, and amount) and its trade, affect feasibility of commercial shrimp farming. To analyze optimal trade credit management, an existing bioeconomic model of a semi-intensive shrimp farm (139 hectares with 44 earthen ponds) located in Sinaloa, Mexico, was extended to create a framework that assesses the decision-making problem related to funding from input suppliers (feed and postlarvae) during one culture cycle, integrating stochastic factors like shrimp mortality and pond water temperature. Through the application of Monte Carlo simulation and genetic algorithm-based optimization techniques, results show that the minimum funding cost is US$15,710 (for an operation budget of US$603,790), 27% lower than alternative funding scenarios (P-value <0.001). Although framed at the firm level, this approach optimizes any funding planning scenario in short-term credit management, particularly in funding schemes involving input suppliers. Further research is needed to relate credit management at the firm level with other elements of the value chain.     

Effect of Water Exchange Rate on Waste Production in Semi-Intensive Shrimp Ponds During the Cold Season in New Caledonia

An experiment was conducted in six earthen ponds with 20 shrimp/m² ( Litopenaeus stylirostris ) during the cold season in New Caledonia to determine the effect of water exchange rate on characteristics of effluents and pond sediment. The nitrogen budget was established, taking into account the different forms of nitrogen in the water, sediment, feed, and shrimp. Mean water exchange rates ranged from 10 to 23% per day. Increasing water exchange rate did not cause any significant change in the average quality of the rearing environment (water and sediment) during the whole growout period. However, the results showed that increasing exchange rates boosted primary productivity. Compounds produced by the mineralisation and metabolism of organic matter (feces, uneaten feed) were exported as particulate, rather than soluble matter. The nitrogen budget showed that the amount of exported wastes from the pond into the coastal environment was only 40–50% of nitrogen inputs due to nitrogen accumulation in the pond sediments and/or release to the atmosphere. The highest accumulation of dry material, as well as the highest Δ N (concentration of total N at the end of rearing - concentration of total N before rearing), was observed in ponds with the highest WER.     

Preliminary Comparisons of Yield and Profit Achieved from Different Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss,Production Systems in Inland Western Australia

Abstract

Farmers throughout the wheatbelt of Western Australia are interested in farming rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, in saline groundwater on salt-affected farmland, to generate an alternative source of income. We compared the relative productivity and profitability of three different production systems: extensive (trout stocked in earthen ponds and totally reliant on natural food); semi-intensive (trout stocked in earthen ponds and provided with supplementary diet); intensive (trout stocked in closed, recirculating tanks). The yield of fish increased with increasing production intensity. The mean wet weight (±SE) of trout after 4 months of grow-out was 61.3±2.7 g in extensive systems, 157.9±5.2 g in semi-intensive systems and 137.9±3.9 g in intensive systems, giving mean yields of 10.8 kg/pond (13.5 kg/ha), 27.9 kg/pond (34.8 kg/ha) and 54.9 kg/tank (21.1 kg/m³), respectively. A preliminary economic analysis of the different production systems showed that the increases in yield were sufficient to balance the extra operating costs involved in semi-intensive systems, but not in intensive systems. We conclude that semi-intensive production systems deserve further study for the commercially viable production of rainbow trout from saline groundwater in Western Australia.     

Effect of density on survival and growth of cyprinid fish fry

One of the bottlenecks in Israel's cold water ornamental fish industry is the large loss of fish during the post-larval stage. As a first step towards increasing survival rates, the optimal stocking density in earthen ponds for fry of each species should be determined. The results of five consecutive experiments with fry of goldfish (Carassius auratus), common carp and koi (respectively, edible and ornamental morphotypes of Cyprinus carpio) are presented here. The experiments were run in 18 cages of 1 m³ and 0.8 mm mesh size placed in a 0.02 ha earthen pond, stocked at 50,100 and 200 fry per cage. The variables analyzed were growth rate, harvesting weight, biomass and survival. Equations to estimate growth rates under different conditions are given. The three fish types present different growth rates and survival patterns in relation to stocking density and season, which lead to different management implications. Koi can be stocked up to 2 million fry per ha without showing negative density effects. Goldfish should be stocked at low density (500,000–1 million fry per ha) in spring and at higher rate (2 million fry per ha) in summer. Common carp stocking density should be adjusted to obtain the required fish size at harvest.     

对虾养殖池塘微藻群落结构的调查与分析

分别于2005年秋、2006年春对广东省湛江市东海岛的对虾集约化养殖池(高位池)、半集约化养殖池(土塘)及其引水渠中水体的微藻群落结构进行调查和分析。结果表明,在所调查的对虾池塘中共检出微藻47种,其中春季检出微藻28种,秋季检出微藻21种。主要优势种是颤藻(Oscillatoria sp.)和啮蚀隐藻(Cryptomonas erosa Ehr.)。微藻的多样性指数(H′)平均值为春季东南土塘2.29,东南高位池1.42,东山土塘1.12;秋季东南高位池2.14,东山土塘1.62,而2季节引水渠则处于0.92~3.72之间。对虾池塘微藻平均密度秋季高于春季。     

The impact of net-isolated polyculture of tilapia (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>) on plankton community in saline–alkaline pond of shrimp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Penaeus vannamei</Emphasis>)

We used 12 land-based experimental enclosures (6 m × 5 m) in a saline–alkaline pond of shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) to determine the impact of net-isolated polyculture of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on plankton communities for 40 days. Tilapias were stocked in net cages suspended in enclosures, in polyculture ponds including tilapia and shrimp. Four tilapia biomass were tested: 0, 39, 115 and 227 g m⁻². Shrimp stocking biomass were 0.7 g m⁻² in all treatments. There were three replicates in each treatment. Our results showed that the presence of tilapia significantly reduced phytoplankton biomass directly through predation and indirectly through top-down effect. The stocking of tilapia reduced zooplankton biomass, particularly rotifer biomass. However, copepod biomass was not been significantly affected. So, net-isolated polyculture of tilapia can thus have a strong impact on phytoplankton allowing the co-existence of large numbers of copepods with planktivorous fish and improving the water quality of shrimp ponds.     

The effectiveness of a commercial microbial product in poorly prepared tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon (Fabricius), ponds

The efficacy of a commercial microbial product was tested in commercial tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon (Fabricius), ponds for one culture period in Kuala Selangor, Malaysia. Four ponds with replicates for treatment and control were used. The pond bottom was dried but the organic sludge was not removed as normally practised in pond preparation. The ponds were stocked with 15 post‐larvae at the rate of 31.m^?2. Physical, chemical and biological parameters of the pond were analysed every 2 weeks during the culture period. Water quality parameters remained within the optimum range for shrimp culture except for ammonia‐nitrogen being significantly higher in control ponds and silica in treated ponds. Benthic organisms were not found in any of the ponds. The average counts of different bacteria were not significantly higher in treated ponds than control. Because of poor health, the shrimp were harvested earlier (72 days) than the usual 120 days. An average of 875.60 ± 67.00 kg shrimp ha^?1 was obtained in treated ponds with a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.57 ± 0.10 and survival rate of 42.35 ± 5.37% compared with 719.50 ± 130.94 kg shrimp ha^?1, 2.99 ± 0.70 and 21.25 ± 3.26%, respectively, in control ponds. Neither the microbial product nor the frequent water exchange was effective in overcoming the problems caused by the poor pond bottom.     

An evaluation of intraspecific competition for Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei (Boone) in extensive/semi-intensive ponds

The hypothesis that intraspecific competition affects survival and growth during the culture and harvest at extensive/semi-intensive Penaeus vannamei shrimp ponds was evaluated. Thus, the effect of stocking density on the biomass, shrimp average weight, survival, and economic performance during the culture (133 days) and at the harvest of the P. vannamei shrimp was investigated in 400 m² earthen ponds. In order to reduce the likelihood of infectious diseases, shrimp received preventive health treatments (probiotics and β-1,3/1,6-glucans) during all culture phases. In this way, the effect of density on the intraspecific competition for space/food was isolated. Ponds stocked at 6, 9, and 12 shrimp m^?2 showed competition-dependent growth. Ponds stocked at 12 shrimp m^?2 presented a mortality (12 %) between days 76 and 99. Competition, and accordingly individual growth reduction, could have begun at day 76 at a density of 5 shrimp m^?2. Survival was significantly higher at 6 shrimp m^?2 (84.2 ± 6.2 %) compared with the 12 shrimp m^?2 (64.8 ± 12.4 %) treatment, while no significant differences in yield were observed between both treatments. Ponds stocked at 3 and 6 shrimp m^?2 presented the best benefit–cost rates. The optimal shrimp density during the experimental culture was 5 shrimp m^?2. Given the experimental conditions and considering the fraction of density-independent mortality observed, the optimum stocking density was found to be 6 shrimp m^?2.     

凡纳滨对虾不同养殖密度高位池水体细菌群落动态

通过对养殖水体环境基因组DNA中细菌16S rRNA基因V4–V5区的高通量测序和生物信息学分析,研究了两种养殖密度的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)高位池水体中细菌群落在养殖过程中的动态。结果显示,养殖过程中各菌群相对丰度变化明显,细菌多样性随时间逐渐提高,优势菌群为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、蓝藻门(Cyanobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)和浮霉菌门(Planctomycetes)。随着养殖时间增长,蓝藻丰度所占比例逐渐减少,而变形菌、拟杆菌和浮霉菌丰度逐渐增大,同时养殖前期高密度池浮霉菌丰度显著高于低密度池(P0.01),而其他菌群无显著差异。结果表明,养殖期前50 d不同养殖密度水体细菌群落差异较大,而后30 d内细菌群落的时间异质性大于空间异质性,这意味着高位池水体菌相被划分为两类,到养殖后期菌相快速转变,养殖密度所带来的影响被减弱。     

Ecological footprint for assessment of resource use and development limitations in shrimp and tilapia aquaculture

We review estimates of the spatial ecosystem support required to run a typical semi-intensive shrimp farm in a coastal mangrove area in Carribean Colombia, and to produce food inputs and process wastes for large-scale industrially managed tilapia cage culture and small-scale, semi-intensive tilapia pond farming in Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe. The tilapia farming is discussed in relation to the pelagic kapenta, Limnothrissa miodon (Boulenger), fishery and to inshore fisheries in the Lake. The results show that a semi-intensive shrimp farm needs a spatial ecosystem support—the ecological footprint—35 to 190 times the surface area of the pond, mainly mangrove area. Based on the analysis, we conclude that shrimp farming in Colombia is already utilizing close to the full support capacity of its coastal environment. In intensive tilapia cage farming, the ecological footprint for feed production is 10 000 times larger than the area of the cages. In contrast, a tilapia pond farm maintained on offals from fisheries, agriculture and households depends very little on external ecosystem areas. As long as there is a direct market for human consumption of all kapenta caught in the Lake, fish cage farming based on fish meal from kapenta would be doubtful from ethical, ecological as well as resource management points of view, even if it was economically feasible.     

Influence of Nursery Period on the Growth and Survival of Litopenaeus vannamei Under Pond Production Conditions

Techniques for head starting or nursing postlarvae (PL) has received considerable attention with regards to nursery protocols, yet there is little data pertaining to the effects of nursery period on the final growout of shrimp to marketable size. This study was performed to investigate the influence of nursery duration on survival and growth of Litopenaeus vannamei during subsequent pond culture. For this research, a single population of high health PL were received from a commercial hatchery and held in a tank for acclimation, quantification, and distribution to nursery tanks or ponds. Treatments included direct stocking of 10-d-old postlarvae (PL₁₀) into production ponds as well as the nursing of PL in a covered greenhouse nursery system for an additional 10 or 20 d. After nursing, the PL were harvested, quantified, and transferred to growout ponds. All ponds were stocked at a density of 35 PL/m² and maintained under standardized conditions. Shrimp were fed with a 35% protein shrimp feed, twice daily during the 112-d growth trial. Ponds were aerated as needed using a maximum of 19 hp/ha to maintain adequate dissolved oxygen (DO > 3.0). No statistical differences (P >0.05) were found in survival, yield, or growth between treatments. At harvest, survivals during growout were generally higher in ponds with nursed shrimp (77% for PL₂₀ and 79% for PL₃₀) than in ponds receiving PL₁₀ shrimp (67%). Yields were similar between treatments, ranging from 3,525 for direct stocked shrimp to 3,747 kg/ha for those that were nursed for 10 d. Although growth rates of PL under pond conditions will be faster than that of a nursery system, results suggest that a nursery period of at least 10 d helps improve survival during pond production and promotes better size uniformity. Shrimp nursed for 20 d showed little improvement in survival over shrimp nursed for 10 d but did result in a more uniform size of shrimp at harvest.     

强降雨对粤西凡纳滨对虾养殖池塘微生物群落的影响

于强台风"莫拉菲"环流云系带来的持续强降雨天气前后(2009年7月14日和7月28日),对广东省茂名市电白县凡纳滨对虾半集约化养殖土池的水样和泥样进行调查,研究施用微生态制剂和未施用微生态制剂的虾池水体及底泥中的异养细菌、弧菌和芽孢杆菌的变化情况,并利用BIOLOGECO微板对水体和底泥的微生物群落代谢变化进行探讨。结果发现,定期施用微生态制剂的虾池水体和底泥中的细菌数量和微生物群落功能在强降雨前后基本保持稳定;未施用微生态制剂的虾池在强降雨后,水体的弧菌数升高,Simpson指数和McIntosh指数显著降低(P0.05),水体和底泥微生物群落对碳源的利用率变化明显。研究结果表明,与施用微生态制剂的虾池相比较,未施用微生态制剂的虾池在强降雨后,水体及沉积物环境波动变化明显,强降雨对其水域环境产生很大的影响。因此建议在对虾养殖过程中定期施用微生态制剂,并针对恶劣天气采取有效措施,以稳定虾池水体及沉积物的微生物生态。     

Growout of Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Fertilized Ponds with Reduced Levels of Formulated Feed

Formulated feed for freshwater prawn farming under semi-intensive conditions is expensive, presenting a significant portion of the farm's operating costs. Production and availability of natural food in earthen ponds may reduce the needs for formulated feed. This paper evaluates growth of freshwater prawn Macrobrachiurn rosenbergii under three feeding regimes, where supplemental feed was reduced and natural productivity of the ponds was increased by a fertilization program that included the addition of lime, phosphorus and nitrogen. Prawns (4.35 g) were stocked into 12 50-m² earthen ponds (6 juveniles/m²) and grown for 84 d feeding on 25% crude protein ration. Chemical and physical water parameters were monitored routinely. Growth and production were similar at 100% formulated feed supplementation with no fertilization and at 50% formulated feed with fertilization, as determined by weight gain, specific growth rate, and net yield ( P >0.05). However, further reduction in feed supplementation (0, 25%, and 50% of feeding rate, respectively, for each subsequent 28-d period) with fertilization, yielded shrimp smaller than market size. Feed conversion ratios were significantly higher ( P 0.05) for the 100% versus the 50% feed supplementation. Survival rate averaged 86% with no significant differences among treatments. Reducing up to 50% of the supplemental feed with added fertilization for increased natural productivity does not reduce yield of M. rosenbergii raised under semi-intensive conditions in northeastern Brazil. Under the local conditions of semi-arid and warm water temperatures (24.0–33.5 C), increasing natural productivity of ponds significantly improves feed conversion ratio, which is reflected in feed cost savings and potential savings of the farm operating cost.