Evaluation of Stocking Density and Dietary Fish Meal Inclusion for Intensive Tank Production of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei Cultured in Low‐Salinity Waters of Western Alabama

Abstract

Shrimp farmers in Alabama are seeking to increase efficiency and intensify production. Semi‐intensive earthen ponds are the traditional production system used by Alabama shrimp farmers; however, there is interest in evaluating intensive pond‐based production systems, such as split ponds. These alternative systems are more intensive and require higher stocking densities to offset capital investment costs required for initial construction and maintenance. Two trials were carried out with Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei using on‐levee flow‐through systems (twelve 800‐L tanks per system) at an Alabama shrimp farm to evaluate stocking densities of 29, 88, 176, and 264 shrimp/m2 (trial 1) and higher levels of fish meal (5, 10, and 20%) at a high density of 264 shrimp/m2 (trial 2). Results from trial 1 revealed that as stocking density was increased Pacific white shrimp final weight decreased, while shrimp biomass and feed conversion ratio increased. Survival of Pacific white shrimp at the two highest densities (176 and 264 shrimp/m2) was lower than at the two lowest densities (29 and 88 shrimp/m2). There were no significant differences in performance for Pacific white shrimp offered diets with varying levels of fish meal in trial 2; however, overall survival in trial 2, which was carried out at a high density (264 shrimp/m2), ranged between 47.9% and 65.5%.

Growth and population modelling based on density of the Pacific white shrimp intensively cultured in freshwater

“…Production of white shrimp continues to increase worldwide, (FAO, 2020; Roy et al, 2020) which success is attributed to the financial benefits and the species' positive growth at different salinities and densities (Araneda et al, 2008; Esparza‐Leal et al, 2010; Liao & Chien, 2011; Liu et al, 2016; Valencia‐Castañeda et al, 2017). Most of the white shrimp production occurs inland with low salinity or in freshwater (FAO, 2020; Roy et al, 2010, 2020; Valencia‐Castañeda et al, 2017; Wang et al, 2014).…”

“…Production of white shrimp continues to increase worldwide, (FAO, 2020; Roy et al, 2020) which success is attributed to the financial benefits and the species' positive growth at different salinities and densities (Araneda et al, 2008; Esparza‐Leal et al, 2010; Liao & Chien, 2011; Liu et al, 2016; Valencia‐Castañeda et al, 2017). Most of the white shrimp production occurs inland with low salinity or in freshwater (FAO, 2020; Roy et al, 2010, 2020; Valencia‐Castañeda et al, 2017; Wang et al, 2014). Moreover, the culture of the Pacific white shrimp at low salinity or freshwater experimental and/or commercial systems is undergoing in several regions of Mexico (Araneda et al, 2008, 2020; Esparza‐Leal et al, 2009, 2010; Valencia‐Castañeda et al, 2017).…”

“…Moreover, the culture of the Pacific white shrimp at low salinity or freshwater experimental and/or commercial systems is undergoing in several regions of Mexico (Araneda et al, 2008, 2020; Esparza‐Leal et al, 2009, 2010; Valencia‐Castañeda et al, 2017). These conditions have proven successful in China, Thailand and other Asian countries; other countries such as the United States seek to thrive in this shrimp production (Crona et al, 2020; Liao & Chien, 2011; Roy et al, 2010, 2019, 2020; Wang et al, 2014).…”

“…Production of white shrimp continues to increase worldwide, (FAO, 2020;Roy et al, 2020) which success is attributed to the financial benefits and the species' positive growth at different salinities and densities (Araneda et al, 2008;Esparza-Leal et al, 2010;Liao & Chien, 2011;Liu et al, 2016;Valencia-Castañeda et al, 2017).…”

“…Most of the white shrimp production occurs inland with low salinity or in freshwater (FAO, 2020;Roy et al, 2010Roy et al, , 2020Valencia-Castañeda et al, 2017;Wang et al, 2014). Moreover, the culture of the Pacific white shrimp at low salinity or freshwater experimental and/or commercial systems is undergoing in several regions of Mexico (Araneda et al, 2008(Araneda et al, , 2020Esparza-Leal et al, 2009Valencia-Castañeda et al, 2017).…”