Aquaponics: alternative types and approaches

Whilst aquaponics may be considered in the mid-stage of development, there are a number of allied, novel methods of food production that are aligning alongside aquaponics and also which can be merged with aquaponics to deliver food efficiently and productively. These technologies include algaeponics, aeroponics, aeroaquaponics, maraponics, haloponics, biofloc technology and vertical aquaponics. Although some of these systems have undergone many years of trials and research, in most cases, much more scientific research is required to understand intrinsic processes within the systems, efficiency, design aspects, etc., apart from the capacity, capabilities and benefits of conjoining these systems with aquaponics

Effect of supplying four copepod densities (Acartia sp. and Calanus pacificus) onthe productive response of Litopenaeus vannamei pregrown intensively at microcosm level

A seven-week experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of supplying copepods (Acartia sp. and Calanus pacificus), as exogenous feed during the intensive pre-growout phase of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), on the productive parameters and water quality. Five treatments were tested in which shrimp were fed formulated feed and the addition of 0 (control), 1, 2, 4, or 8 copepods mL–1. Treatments with 1 and 4 copepods mL–1 had higher ammonia nitrogen levels than the rest of the treatments (>4 mg L–1). Nitrite levels were significantly higher in the treatment with 8 copepods mL–1, whereas nitrate levels were higher in all treatments relative to the control. Phosphate concentration was higher in the treatments with 4 and 8 copepods mL–1. Shrimp from the treatments with 2, 4, and 8 copepods mL–1 showed a higher survival (>93%), weight (>3.1 g), and final biomass (>77 g). The treatment with 2 copepods mL–1 had the best feed conversion ratio (1.19) compared with the rest (>1.7). The results suggest that the additional supply of copepods as exogenous feed during the intensive pre-growout phase of shrimp culture can have a negative effect on the water quality, although survival was not affected; however, the effect on the production parameters was positive, indicating that the use of copepods as exogenous live feed is feasible in the culture of white shrimp.

Effect of three different feeding strategies on phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos in pacific brown shrimp Penaeus californiensis (Holmes 1900) farming ponds

 An experimental study was conducted during 23 weeks in Bahia Kino, Sonora (Mexico), to evaluate the effect of three different feeding strategies used in the culture of Pacific brown shrimp, Penaeus californiensis, on the abundance of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos. The use of feeding trays (treatment FT) and the complementation of natural food (treatment CNF) promoted a higher abundance of zooplankton and benthic organisms in the ponds. The use of feeding tables (treatment FTA) enhanced the abundance of benthic polychaete species. There were no differences among treatments with respect to chlorophyll a concentration. Growth and yield were higher and feeding conversion ratios lower in treatments CNF and FT. This seems to be related to the higher abundance of zooplankton and benthic organisms in these treatments. Some water quality parameters were also affected by the feeding strategy

Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) in wild parent stocks of blue shrimp, Penaeus styfirostris (Stimpson), in Guaymas Bay, Sonora, Mexico

 A study was conducted to evaluate the presence of the infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) in wild parent stocks of blue shrimp, Penaeus stylirostris, in Guaymas Bay, Sonora, Mexico. The procedure used to detect the virus was the ShrimpProbe Test Kit Dot Blot, DiagXotic, Inc. Results showed that the virus was present in 49% of the 100 shrimp studied. Males were more infected (54%) than females (44%). Infection in both sexes was more frequent in size classes 36–40 and 31–35 mm. For males, the highest percentages of infections were found in size classes 36–40, 31–35 and 46–50 mm; for females, in size classes 36–40, 31–35 and 41–45 mm (only size classes from 31–35 to 51–55 mm were considered)

Effect of salinity on the larviculture of yellowleg shrimp Farfantepenaeus californiensis (Holmes, 1900) at low temperatures

Growth and survival of larval yellowleg shrimp, Farfantepenaeus californiensis, were evaluated at salinities of 30, 33, 36 and 38 ppt and temperature of 25.0 ± 0.5ºC, in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. No significant differences in growth were observed among treatments. Survival was similar at salinities of 30, 33 and 36 ppt. A lower survival was observed at 38 ppt. No significant differences were observed in the time to reach larval substages at different salinities