Effects of two commercial feeds with high and low crude protein content on the performance of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei raised in an integrated biofloc system with the seaweed Gracilaria birdiae

            A trial was conducted for 42 days to evaluate the effects of two commercial feeds with high and low crude protein content on the performance of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei cultivated in an integrated biofloc system with the seaweed Gracilaria birdiae. The experiment had a 2 × 2 factorial design (a biofloc monoculture or an integrated system with 32% (low) or 40% (high) crude protein content) with the following treatments: IS32 (an integrated system using low protein commercial feed); IS40 (an integrated system using high protein commercial feed); M32 (a monoculture system using low protein commercial feed); and M40 (a monoculture system using high protein commercial feed), all in triplicate. Shrimp individuals (0.23 ± 0.04 g) were stocked at a density of 500 shrimp/m3 and no water exchange was carried out during the experimental period. No significant influence (p > 0.05) was found to be caused by the integrated system or the crude protein levels on water quality. However, a significant influence (p < 0.05) was found for final weight (3.21–4.12 g), weight gain (2.97–3.89 g), yield (1.39–1.96 kg/m3) and feed conversion ratio (1.47–1.74). Growth was similar in IS32, M40 and IS40, indicating that crude protein levels can be reduced with no adverse effect on shrimp performance variables in integrated biofloc systems with G. birdiae

Effects of two commercial feeds with high and low crude protein content on the performance of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei raised in an integrated biofloc system with the seaweed Gracilaria birdiae

A trial was conducted for 42 days to evaluate the effects of two commercial feeds with high and low crude protein content on the performance of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei cultivated in an integrated biofloc system with the seaweed Gracilaria birdiae. The experiment had a 2 × 2 factorial design (a biofloc monoculture or an integrated system with 32% (low) or 40% (high) crude protein content) with the following treatments: IS32 (an integrated system using low protein commercial feed); IS40 (an integrated system using high protein commercial feed); M32 (a monoculture system using low protein commercial feed); and M40 (a monoculture system using high protein commercial feed), all in triplicate. Shrimp individuals (0.23 ± 0.04 g) were stocked at a density of 500 shrimp/m3 and no water exchange was carried out during the experimental period. No significant influence (p > 0.05) was found to be caused by the integrated system or the crude protein levels on water quality. However, a significant influence (p < 0.05) was found for final weight (3.21–4.12 g), weight gain (2.97–3.89 g), yield (1.39–1.96 kg/m3) and feed conversion ratio (1.47–1.74). Growth was similar in IS32, M40 and IS40, indicating that crude protein levels can be reduced with no adverse effect on shrimp performance variables in integrated biofloc systems with G. birdiae

Nile tilapia fingerling cultivated in a low-salinity biofloc system at different stocking densities

A 42-day trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of a low-salinity biofloc system with different stocking densities on water quality and zootechnical performance of Nile tilapia fingerlings (10 g/L). Four treatments were tested at different densities: 500 fish/m³, 750 fish/m³, 1,000 fish/m³ and 1,250 fish/m³, all in triplicate. Fingerlings of Oreochromis niloticus (initial mean weight of 1.17 ± 0.05 g) were stocked in twelve experimental black-plastic tanks (40 L) with no water exchange during the experimental period. Molasses was added daily to the system at 30% of the amount of feed, and fish were given four daily rations of a formulated feed composed of 36% crude protein and 9% lipids. Water quality variables (dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, TAN, NO2, NO3 and PO43) did not demonstrate significant differences between the treatments. However, significant influences (α ≤ 0.05) of the stocking densities were observed for total suspended solids, settleable solids, final weight, yield, and protein efficiency ratio. The results showed survival over 96%, final weight values between 12 and 18 g, yield between 9.49 and 15.27 kg/m3, water consumption of 52 to 101 L/kg fish, and total time of settling chambers between 238 and 305 h/kg fish. These results indicate a negative effect of stocking density on final weight, survival, alkalinity, NO2, PO43 and water consumption, and a positive effect on yield in Nile tilapia fingerling culture (1-20 g) in a low-salinity biofloc system with densities up to 1000 fish/m³

Nile tilapia fingerling cultivated in a low-salinity biofloc system at different stocking densities

A 42-day trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of a low-salinity biofloc system with different stocking densities on water quality and zootechnical performance of Nile tilapia fingerlings (10 g/L). Four treatments were tested at different densities: 500 fish/m³, 750 fish/m³, 1,000 fish/m³ and 1,250 fish/m³, all in triplicate. Fingerlings of Oreochromis niloticus (initial mean weight of 1.17 ± 0.05 g) were stocked in twelve experimental black-plastic tanks (40 L) with no water exchange during the experimental period. Molasses was added daily to the system at 30% of the amount of feed, and fish were given four daily rations of a formulated feed composed of 36% crude protein and 9% lipids. Water quality variables (dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, TAN, NO2, NO3 and PO43) did not demonstrate significant differences between the treatments. However, significant influences (α ≤ 0.05) of the stocking densities were observed for total suspended solids, settleable solids, final weight, yield, and protein efficiency ratio. The results showed survival over 96%, final weight values between 12 and 18 g, yield between 9.49 and 15.27 kg/m3, water consumption of 52 to 101 L/kg fish, and total time of settling chambers between 238 and 305 h/kg fish. These results indicate a negative effect of stocking density on final weight, survival, alkalinity, NO2, PO43 and water consumption, and a positive effect on yield in Nile tilapia fingerling culture (1-20 g) in a low-salinity biofloc system with densities up to 1000 fish/m³