An innovative biofloc technology for the nursery production of Pacific whiteleg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei in tanks

Abstract

Nursery production of shrimp is usually done in small ponds; however, the use of small and circular tanks with plastic liners is gaining popularity. From an industry standpoint, there is still a need to assess how nursery systems can be of benefit to the shrimp production cycle. Hence, the use of small circular tanks coupled with the incorporation of biofloc technology was assessed in terms of its viability during the nursery production of the Pacific whiteleg shrimp, <em>Penaeus vannamei</em>. A 450m² plastic lined circular tank was installed and prepared for the stocking of <em>P. vannamei</em> postlarvae (PLs) at a density of 500 PLs per m². Biofloc was produced and maintained throughout the nursery phase using brown sugar as carbon source at a carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of 10. Water quality was monitored daily, while presumptive Vibrios were enumerated weekly. Sampling for growth was done at the 14^th day post-stocking and weekly until harvest on the 30th day. The different water quality parameters were within optimum levels required for shrimp growth. Presumptive Vibrios were dominated by the yellow colonies. At the end of the nursery phase, there was 100% survival and the shrimp attained an average body weight of 1.26 g and a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 0.43. Our results indicate that the use of small circular tanks with biofloc during the nursery production phase of whiteleg shrimp is feasible and can be incorporated in the grow-out culture of this shrimp species.