Acclimation of Litopenaeus vannamei Postlarvae to Low Salinity: Influence of Age, Salinity Endpoint, and Rate of Salinity Reduction

Abstract.— Inland culture of Liropenaeus vannarnei in low salinity well waters is currently conducted on a small scale in a few areas in the U.S. To successfully rear shrimp in low salinity water, postlarvae (PL) must be transferred from high-salinity larval rearing systems to low-salinity growout conditions. To determine effective transfer methods, a series of experiments were conducted under controlled conditions to evaluate the influence of PL age, rate of acclimation, and salinity endpoint on 48 h survival of shrimp. Three age classes of L. vannurnei PL (10, 15, and 20-d) were acclimated from a salinity of 23 ppt to treatment endpoint salinities of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 ppt. Survival of PL₁₀ acclimated to 0, 1, or 2 ppt salinity was significantly lower than survival of PL acclimated to salinities of 4, 8, and 12 ppt. Survival of PL, and PL₂₀ shrimp was only reduced for the 0 ppt salinity treatment, thus indicating a clear effect of age on salinity tolerance. The same age classes of PL were acclimated from 23 ppt to final salinity endpoints of I or 4 ppt at three different rates of salinity reduction: low, 19%/h; medium, 258/h, and high, 478/h. Survival was not significantly influenced by the acclimation rates for any of the three PL age classes. As in the fixed rate experiments, survival of the 10-d-old PL was significantly lower for shrimp acclimated to the 1 ppt endpoint compared to the 4 ppt endpoint. Under the reported conditions, age appears to influence PL tolerance to a salinity end-point. A 10-d-old PL can be acclimated to 4 ppt with good survival, whereas 15- and 20-d-old PL can be acclimated to a salinity of 1 ppt with good survivals.     

Rearing of the Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei in a biofloc system: The effects of different food sources and salinity levels

The present study assessed the effects of different types of feeds and salinity levels on water quality, growth performance, survival rate and body composition of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, juveniles in a biofloc system. Shrimp juveniles (2.56 ± 0.33 g) were cultured for 35 days in 300 L fibreglass tanks (water volume of 180 L) with a density of 1 g/L in six treatments. Three sources of feed (100% formulated feed, mixture of 66.6% formulated diet and 33.3% wet biofloc, and 100% wet biofloc) and two levels of salinity (10 and 32 ppt) were considered in two control groups and four biofloc treatments. Water quality parameters in the biofloc treatments were significantly better than control groups (p < .05). The highest increase in growth performance and survival rate were obtained in salinity of 32 ppt and mixed feed sources. Analysing the proximate composition of body shrimp indicates an increase in lipid and ash levels in biofloc treatments, which was more evident in the salinity of 32 ppt. In addition, the proximate analysis of shrimp body showed significant differences between biofloc treatments and control groups (p < .05). The highest FCR was found in the treatment with salinity level of 10 ppt and fed only with floc. Overall, it was found that the artificial diet supplemented with biofloc at the salinity of 32 showed better performance in the juvenile stage of Pacific white shrimp.     

Interaction of Salinity and Feed Protein Level on Growth of Penaeus vannamel

An intensive 42-day growth trial conducted in ourdoor tanks with Penaeus vannamei (stocking weight of 5.3g, density of 30/m²) indicated that there was a significant interaction between salinity and protein level of the feed. In 46 ppt water, shrimp fed feed containing 45% protein grew faster (2.98%/day) than shrimp fed 35 and 25% protein rations (2.84 and 2.73%/day, respectively). At 12 ppt, growth of shrimp fed 35% feed was faster (3.23%/day) than growth of shrimp fed 25% protein feed (3.07%/day). Shrimp fed the 45% protein feed did not grow faster 3.14%/day) than shrimp fed 35 an 25% protein feeds. At each protein level, growth at 12 ppt was greater than at 46ppt. Survival was not affeted by either salinity or feed protein level and averaged 86%. Results indicate that nutritional requirements vary with culture salinity and suggest that use of higher protein feeds under hypersaline culture conditions may produce higher yields.     

Effect of Salinity on Hatching in Neobenedenia melleni, a Monogenean Ectoparasite of Seawater-Cultured Tilapia

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effect of salinity on embryonic development and hatching in Neobenedenia melleni , a monogenean ectoparasite of seawater-cultured (37 ppt) Florida red tilapia ( Oreochromis urolepis hornorum × O. mossambicus ). Eggs, collected from adult monogeneans at 37 ppt, were exposed to different salinities (0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 37 ppt) for 48, 72 or 96 h. Varying degrees of post-treatment development and hatching occurred when natural seawater conditions were restored. Hatching success generally declined with decreasing salinity and increasing duration of exposure. Under all durations of exposure, hatching success remained relatively high (≥ 69.6%) at salinities of 24 ppt and above, but declined markedly (≤ 32.5%) at lower salinities. Hatching did not occur in eggs exposed to fresh water (0 ppt) for 72 and 96 h. The most effective treatments in preventing hatching, other than prolonged exposure to fresh water, were 96 h exposures to low-salinity brackish water. Percent hatch after 96 h exposure to 6, 12 and 18 ppt was 5.5, 11.9 and 5.8%, respectively.     

The Effects of Air Exposure on Hemolymph Osmoregulatory Capacity of Brown Tiger Shrimp,Penaeus esculentus,and Western King Shrimp,Penaeus latisulcatus,Reared at Different Salinities

Abstract

Hemolymph osmolality and osmoregulatory capacity (OC) of brown tiger shrimp, Penaeus esculentus (0.94±0.04 g mean initial weight) and western king shrimp, P. latisulcatus (5.37±0.10 g mean initial weight) from four salinities (10, 22, 34 and 46 ppt) were determined following 7, 14 and 21 minutes of air-exposure. Hemolymph osmolality of both species increased with increasing salinity. Isosmotic points of brown tiger shrimp calculated from regression lines between hemolymph and medium osmolality were 30.9, 31.9, 32.1 and 31.1 ppt at 0, 7, 14, and 21 minutes of air-exposure, respectively. Isosmotic points of western king shrimp were 33.8, 33.3, 32.8 and 33.1 ppt at 0, 7, 14, and 21 minutes air-exposure, respectively. OC of brown tiger shrimp at salinity of 34 ppt did not change when exposed to air for any length whereas OC of shrimp at other salinities (10, 22 and 46 ppt) were significantly different (P < 0.05) when exposed to air for 21 minutes. OC of western king shrimp at salinity 10 ppt was reduced (P < 0.05) when exposed to 14 and 21 minutes of air when compared to control and 7 minutes of air exposure. The results indicate that both species spent less energy (P < 0.5) for osmoregulation from 30 to 34 ppt. Furthermore, salinities 10 and 46 ppt were unsuitable for rearing brown tiger shrimp and salinity 10 ppt was unsuitable for growing western king shrimp.     

Investigation of the Effects of Salinity and Dietary Protein Level on Growth and Survival of Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

It is presumed that in hypo‐ and hypersaline environments, shrimp’s requirements for some specific nutrients, such as protein, may differ from those known in the marine habitat; however, few investigations have been conducted in this area of study. In the present investigation, the effects of salinity and dietary protein level on the biological performance, tissue protein, and water content of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, were evaluated. In a 3 × 4 factorial experiment, juvenile shrimp with an average initial weight of 0.36 ± 0.02 g were exposed for 32 d to salinities of 2, 35, and 50 ppt and fed experimental diets with crude protein contents of 25, 30, 35, and 40%. A significant effect of salinity on growth of shrimp was detected, with the growth responses (final weight, weight gain) ranked in the order 2 ppt (3.87, 3.50 g) > 35 ppt (3.40, 3.04 g) > 50 ppt (2.84, 2.47 g). No effects of dietary protein level or an interaction between salinity and protein on growth of shrimp were observed under the experimental conditions of this study. Percent survival of shrimp fed the highest protein content (40%, survival of 74%) was, however, significantly lower than those of shrimp fed the other feeds (25, 30 and 35% protein, survival of 99, 91, and 94%, respectively), a result likely associated with the concentration of total ammonia nitrogen, which increased significantly at increasing protein levels. Final water content of whole shrimp was significantly lower in animals exposed to 50 ppt (70.8%) than in shrimp held at 2 (73.7%) and 35 ppt (72.3%). No effect of salinity, protein, or their interaction was observed on the protein content of whole shrimp. The results of the present study are in agreement with reports of superior and inferior growth of L. vannamei reared in hypo‐ and hypersaline environments, respectively, as compared to what is generally observed in seawater.     

Effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and energy productive value of pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,at different salinities

A 8‐week feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and energy productive value of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei, at 30 and 2 ppt, respectively. Nine practical diets were formulated to contain three protein levels (380, 410 and 440 g kg^?1) and three lipid levels (60, 80 and 100 g kg^?1). Each diet was randomly fed to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps per tank (260 L). The effects of salinity and an interaction between dietary protein level and lipid level on growth and energy productive value of shrimp were observed under the experimental conditions of this study. At 30 ppt seawater, shrimp fed with 440 g kg^?1protein diets had significantly higher weight gain (WG) than those fed with 380 g kg^?1 protein diets at the same dietary lipid level, and the 60 g kg^?1 lipid group showed higher growth than 80 g kg^?1and 100 g kg^?1 lipid groups at the same dietary protein level. At 2 ppt seawater, the growth of shrimp was little affected by dietary protein treatments when shrimp fed the 80 and 100 g kg^?1 lipid, shrimp fed the 80 g kg^?1 lipid diets had only slightly higher growth than that fed 60and 100 g kg^?1 lipid diets when fed 380 and 410 g kg^?1 dietary protein diets. A significant effect of salinity on growth of shrimp was detected with the growth responses at 30 ppt > 2ppt (P < 0.05). Final body lipid content, body protein content and energy productive value of shrimp was significantly higher in animals exposed to 30 ppt than in shrimp held at 2 ppt.     

Toxicity of Chelated Copper to Juvenile Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus1

Acute toxicity of chelated copper to juvenile red drum (x?= 3.1 g) was determined in a static test at 25 C and 8 ppt salinity. The 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h LC₅₀s were 1.90, 0.84, 0.75, 0.64, and 0.52 mg/L copper, respectively. Effects of temperature and salinity on the 96 h LC₅₀ (0.5 mg/L copper) for juvenile red drum (x?= 5.0 g) were tested at two temperatures, 25 and 30 C, and three salinities, 0.5, 8, and 30 ppt. Temperature significantly affected mortality; mortality in 0.5 and 8 ppt salinities was significantly higher at 30 C than at 25 C. An increase in salinity significantly reduced the mortality of juvenile red drum. Total mortality occurred in 0.5 ppt salinity within 48 h at 25 C and within 12 h at 30 C. Total mortality occurred in 8 ppt salinity within 72 h at 25 C and within 48 h at 30 C. No mortality occurred during 96 h in 30 ppt salinity at 25 C or 30 C.     

Lethal Low Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations for Postlarvae and Early Juvenile Penaeus setiferus at Different Salinities and pH

Abstract This study was undertaken to determine the effect of salinity and pH on tolerance to low dissolved oxygen concentration in postlarval (PL 12; 18 mg wet weight) and early juvenile (720 mg wet weight) Peneaus setiferus . Lethal levels of dissolved oxygen were determined in animals at four combinations of salinity and pH (36 and 15 ppt salinity and pH 6 and 8). For postlarvae, the 48-h LC50 for dissolved oxygen was 1.27 mgO₂/L at 15 ppt and pH8, and was significantly lower than that obtained in the other combinations of salinity and pH (P < 0.05). For juveniles, the 72-h LC50 was 1.16 mg1L at 15 ppt and pH 8, and was significantly lower than that obtained in the other combinations of salinity and pH (P < 0.05). A significant interaction between salinity and pH was observed. These results suggest that the intensive culture of P. setiferus may be conducted at moderate salinity, where shrimp appear to be more tolerant of low concentrations of oxygen than at higher salinities.     

The use of clarifiers to remove and control the total suspended solids in large-scale ponds for production of Litopenaeus vannamei in a biofloc system

High concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS) need to be controlled, as they can affect shrimp production due to the excess of particles in the water column. Water renewal and clarification are alternatives used to reduce TSS. In order to determine the better method of TSS control, we carried out a study using water renewals and clarification on a commercial scale with nine ponds (600 m² each) in an intensive biofloc system. A total of 87 shrimp m⁻² were stocked in each unit divided into three treatments: R (water renewal), C1 (one clarifier) and C2 (two clarifiers in series). Each treatment had three replicates, and the experiment lasted 105 days. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the parameters of water quality and zootechnical performance. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the performance of clarifiers (time of operation, TSS removal rate and total solids removed) and in the efficiency of water use and effluent generation. All treatments maintained controlled TSS levels, although C2 showed a better removal efficiency than C1, with percentages rates of 71.2 and 47.9%, respectively. This difference resulted in a 160-hour reduction in the total operating time in C2. Compared to the R treatment, the percentages of water saved in C1 and C2 were 50.7 and 51.3% higher, respectively, and the percentages of effluent generated in C1 and C2 were 97 and 96% lower, respectively. The use of clarifiers helps to control TSS concentrations in large-scale. In addition, they reduce both the amount of water used for renewals and the effluent discharges into the environment, thereby increasing biosafety in the biofloc system.     

Physiological short-term response to sudden salinity change in the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

The physiological responses of Senegalese sole to a sudden salinity change were investigated. The fish were first acclimated to an initial salinity of 37.5?ppt for 4?h. Then, one group was subjected to increased salinity (55?ppt) while another group was subjected to decreased salinity (5?ppt). The third group (control group) remained at 37.5?ppt. We measured the oxygen consumption rate, osmoregulatory (plasma osmolality, gill and kidney Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activities) and stress (plasma cortisol and metabolites) parameters 0.5 and 3?h after transfer. Oxygen consumption at both salinities was higher than for the control at both sampling times. Gill Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity was significantly higher for the 55?ppt salinity at 0.5?h. Plasma osmolality decreased in the fish exposed to 5?ppt at the two sampling times but no changes were detected for high salinities. Plasma cortisol levels significantly increased at both salinities, although these values declined in the low-salinity group 3?h after transfer. Plasma glucose at 5?ppt salinity did not vary significantly at 0.5?h but decreased at 3?h, while lactate increased for both treatments at the first sampling time and returned to the control levels at 3?h. Overall, the physiological response of S. senegalensis was immediate and involved a rise in oxygen consumption and plasma cortisol values as well as greater metabolite mobilization at both salinities.     

Effects of ammonia on growth and molting of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae reared under two salinity levels

ABSTRACT

Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae were exposed to 0, 6, 13, and 19 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) treatments. After 45 days, shrimp weight and length were lowest under TAN concentrations of 13 and 19 mg/L (P ≤ 0.05). Maximum weight gain was observed in control and 6 mg/L treatments. Mortality was highest (80.55 ± 4.80%) under 19 mg/L reared in 35 ppt salinity. Average intermolt periods of PLs exposed to 0, 6, 13, and 19 mg/L TAN were 11.5 ± 0.7, 10.8 ± 1.3, 9.4 ± 1.0, and 8.7 ± 0.6 days under 35 ppt and 11.1 ± 0.5, 10.7 ± 0.6, 10.1 ± 0.5, and 9.5 ± 0.2 days under 45 ppt salinity. Although TAN increased postlarvae molting frequency, its negative effects on the shrimp growth and survival of PLs was directly linked to its concentration and exposure duration. Higher salinity reduces the effects of ammonia and increases the survival.     

Metamorphosis in summer flounder: manipulation of rearing salinity to synchronize settling behavior, growth and development

In the aquaculture of summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), the inherent variation in growth and settling behavior during metamorphosis may lead to cannibalism and necessitate increased labor due to size grading. Our goal was to use an environmental salinity change as a cue to synchronize settling behavior and produce a larger, more uniformly sized cohort of juvenile summer flounder. Early metamorphic flounder were exposed to either a 5-day fluctuating (30–20–30–20–30 ppt; “Flux”) or a single (30–20 ppt; “20 ppt”) drop in rearing salinity. A control (continuous 30 ppt) was used for comparison. Average values for a peak settlement interval (PSI; defined as the interval beginning on the day by which the first 20% had settled until the day 80% had settled) were not affected by salinity manipulation, though the 20-ppt treatment did significantly increase percent settled per day by 54 dah. Average fish size was increased by the 20-ppt treatment (19.3±0.5 mm), but not the flux treatment (17.2±0.4 mm), compared to the control (17.6±0.5 mm). Developmental stage was significantly increased in the 20-ppt treatment (3.2±0.1) in comparison to the Flux (2.9±0.1), but not the control (3.1±0.1). However, the 20-ppt treatment reduced variance in development. To confirm the positive effects of the 20-ppt treatment, a second experiment was performed. A single salinity drop (“20 ppt”), a previously successful ([Gavlik, S., Albino, M., Specker, J.L., 2002. Metamorphosis in summer flounder: Manipulation of thyoid status to synchronize settling behavior, growth, and development. Aquaculture 203 (3-4), 359-373]thyroid hormone manipulation treatment (“TH”) and a combination of the two (“TH+20 ppt”) were compared to a control (continuous 30 ppt, no thyroid manipulation). The mean PSI was significantly reduced by both TH (7±1 days) and TH+20 ppt (8±0 days) treatments, compared to the control (11±1 days). The PSI for the 20-ppt treatment (9±0 days) was not significantly different than the control. The percent flounder settled per day was significantly increased by 20 ppt salinity and significantly modified (decreased, then increased) by TH manipulation. Flounder exposed to 20-ppt salinity were both larger (20 ppt: 18.6±0.3 mm; TH+20 ppt: 18.3±0.3 mm) and more developmentally advanced (20 ppt: 3.1±0.04; TH+20 ppt: 3.2±0.03) than flounder in 30 ppt (TH: 17.8±0.3 mm/3.1±0.3; Control: 17.9±0.3 mm/3.0±0.05). Finally, 20-ppt treatment reduced variance in development, while TH treatment reduced variance in both growth and development. Percent survival was unaffected by treatment in both experiments. In summary, a decrease in rearing salinity, from 30 to 20 ppt, increased growth, settling behavior and development of metamorphosing summer flounder. A decrease in rearing salinity, in combination with a TH manipulation, should result in larger, more uniformly sized flounder cohorts. We expect this synchronization will reduce the cannibalism and labor costs associated with size grading of cultured, metamorphosing summer flounder.     

Effects of Potassium, Magnesium and Age on Growth and Survival of Litopenaeus vannamei Post-Larvae Reared in Inland Low Salinity Well Waters in West Alabama

Abstract— The production of Litopenaeus vannamei in inland low‐salinity well water is a growing industry in several regions of the world. The state of Alabama in the southeastern USA is one such region with a large saline aquifer that could be utilized for shrimp culture. However, some farmers are experiencing problems rearing marine shrimp while others are having considerable success. Previous work has correlated low levels of potassium andor magnesium to poor shrimp survival. The problem is further complicated by the fact that the age at acclimation may also influence survival. In our present study, we evaluated the effects of potassium, magnesium, and the age of acclimation on growth and survival of PL at two farms. The first experiment was run in a static system utilizing four replicate tanks per treatment. Fifty PL₁₇ (0.0066 g) that had been acclimated to 4 ppt seawater were stocked into each tank and the following treatments evaluated: low salinity well water (LSWW) without mineral supplements, LSWW with KCl, LSWW with MgCl₂, and LSWW with KCl and MgCl, added to the water. Shrimp were harvested, counted and weighed after 4 wk. Survival was significantly higher in treatments receiving mineral supplements whereas biomass was only higher in the two treatments with potassium supplements. The second experiment was set up initially as a static system filled with 8.5‐ppt reconstituted sea water that was then converted to a flow‐through system using LSWW. This experiment evaluated the effect of PL age at acclimation on survival and growth at four different ages (PL₁₅, PL₁₉, PL₂₃, and PL₂₇). All tanks were stocked with 50 PL₁₃L. vannarnei. Two days after stocking, and then at 4‐d intervals, a series of four tanks were converted to flow through (rate of 40 Lhr) using LSWW. After acclimation, water flow was maintained in all tanks until 28 d after stocking when tanks were harvested and surviving shrimp were counted and weighed. Survival and growth increased with PL age when shrimp were acclimated to inland low salinity well water.     

Short-term salinity tolerance of northern pike, Esox lucius, fry, related to temperature and size

Abstract  The short-term tolerances of northern pike, Esox lucius L., fry reared in a freshwater hatchery, to salinity were examined in the laboratory. Survival of two size groups of pike fry (mean length 21 ± 2 mm SD and 37 ± 4 mm SD) was examined over 72- to 96-h periods at 9–14 ppt salinity in combination with temperatures of 10, 14 and 18 °C. A parametric survival model found a significant correlation between survival of pike fry and temperature and salinity, respectively. L _C50 values after 72 h were between 11.2 and 12.2 ppt, being lowest at 10 °C. Pike fry did not survive more than 13 ppt. Mortality at 12 ppt was significantly faster at 18 °C than 10 or 14 °C. Moreover, mortality was higher and faster for large than for small pike fry at 12 ppt and 14 °C. These results imply that pike raised in fresh water can survive stocking into brackish waters below 11 ppt at least for a short time.     

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.     

Effects of Nitrite Exposure on Growth and Survival of Sea Bass,Lates calcarifer,Fingerlings in Various Salinities

Sea bass, Lates calcarifer, fingerlings were acclimated to 0. 15, and 32 ppt, and the toxic effects of nitrite exposure were assessed. The 96-hour median lethal concentrations (96-hour LC₅₀ for nitrite were estimated to be 14.5 mg/L at 0 ppt, 105 mg/L at 15 ppt and 93 mg/L at 32 ppt salinity. Chronic exposure to a nitrite concentration equivalent to 10% of the respective 96 hour LC₅₀ resulted in marked growth reduction: growth being reduced in the order of 0 ppt > 32 ppt > 15 ppt. In nitrite-free water, growth rate for fish raised at a salinity of 15 ppt was higher compared to fish raised at salinities of 0 ppt and 32 ppt, a phenomenon which probably reflected the advantage of a reduction in osmoregulatory work in an iso-osmotic environment.     

Effect of Low Salinity on Growth and Survival of Postlarvae and Juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei

The effect of low salinity on survival and growth of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei was examined in the laboratory due to the interest of raising shrimp inland at low salinities. In three separate experiments, individual L. vannamei postlarvae (∼ 0.1 g) were cultured at salinities of either 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, or 3 ppt ( N = 5 or 10/treatment) for 18 to 40 d at 30 C in individual 360-mL containers. In each experiment controls of 0 and 30 ppt were run. There was no postlarval survival at salinities < 2 ppt. Survival was significantly different ( P < 0.01) at 2 ppt (20%) compared to 30 ppt (80%). Growth was also significantly different ( P < 0.01) at 2 and 3 ppt compared to 30 ppt (416%, 475%, and 670%, respectively). A fourth experiment compared juveniles (∼ 8 g) and postlarvae (∼ 0.05 and 0.35 g). Shrimp were cultured at salinities of 0, 2, 4, and 30 ppt for 40 d at 25 C, in individual 360-mL and 6-L containers ( N = 7/treatment). There was no postlarval survival at < 2 ppt. Postlarval survival at 4 ppt (86%) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from 30 ppt (100%). Juveniles exhibited better survival at lower salinities (100% at 2 ppt) than 0.05 and 0.35 g postlarvae (29% and 14% respectively, at 2 ppt). The effects of salinity on growth varied with sizdage. Final growth of 0.05 g postlarvae at 2 ppt (693%) was significantly less ( P < 0.01) than at 4 ppt (1085%) and 30 ppt (1064%). Growth of 0.35 g postlarvae was significantly less ( P < 0.01) for 4 ppt (175%) than for 30 ppt (264%). There was no growth data for juveniles (8 g). It appears from these experiments that the culture of L. vannamei poses risks when performed in salinities less than 2 ppt.     

Comparison of growth and reproduction performance of broodstock Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei reared in oceanic and brackish water

This study provides a preliminary evaluation of feasibility of brackish water breeding. Shrimps were initially cultured at brackish water. Shrimps were reared at different stages (5, 6, 7 and 8 months, respectively), and 300 female shrimps were selected from each stage for growth at an enhanced salinity of 30 ppt. When the shrimps were sexually mature, the reproductive characteristics (mating rate, egg number and nauplii number) of the broodstock shrimps, quality of nauplii (malformation rate of nauplii) and quality of postlarvae (survival rate and desalination stress) were tested to evaluate of the effects of brackish water (10 ppt) on these shrimps. Oceanic water (30 ppt) for rearing shrimps was used as control group. Histopathological analysis of gonads and hepatopancreases from oceanic and brackish water shrimp was performed. The results showed that shrimps cultured for a maximum of 8 months in brackish water remained sexually mature. There were no significant differences regarding the quality of shrimps in the oceanic water and brackish water. However, the brackish water cultured shrimps were easily adapted to salinity changes. Our results demonstrate the good feasibility of the present scheme, in which the broodstock shrimps were cultured at a salinity of 10 ppt.     

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Brewer's Yeast and GroBiotic®-A on Growth,Immune Responses,and Low-Salinity Tolerance of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei Cultured in Recirculating Systems

Two separate trials were conducted in clean recirculating systems at salinities of 32.9 (optimal) and 2 ppt (low-salinity challenge) to evaluate brewer's yeast and GroBiotic®-A, a commercial prebiotic, as dietary supplements for growth and health management of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. The growth-promoting influences of brewer's yeast or GroBiotic®-A previously observed with fish were not demonstrated in these trials with shrimp, when each component was supplemented at 2% or 5% of the diet. No significant dietary effects on hematological and immunological responses—including total hemocyte count, hemolymph protein, phenoloxidase, hemocyte respiratory burst, and clearance efficiency of Vibrio harveyi—were observed in shrimp cultured at full strength salinity (30 ppt) in feeding trial 1 after a 10 week period. In a second feeding trial, dietary supplementation of GroBiotic®-A improved survival of shrimp cultured at low-salinity (2 ppt). Although the mechanism(s) for enhanced survival under low-salinity conditions by dietary immunostimulants or prebiotics have not been identified, these observations indicate potential use of prebiotics such as GroBiotic®-A for shrimp cultured in less than optimal environments.