Productive performance of juvenile freshwater prawnsMacrobrachium rosenbergiiin biofloc system

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare two rearing systems for freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii: one with use of a recirculating aquaculture system with biofilters (RAS) and another with use of microbial flocs (F). Thirty postlarvae of freshwater prawn with an initial average weight of 0.13 AE 0.05 g were randomly stocked in six experimental units with 0.20 m² and volume of 50 L. The experiment lasted thirty days. Dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH were monitored daily; ammonia concentration was determined three times per week; nitrite concentration, alkalinity and hardness were measured weekly. For the formation of microbial floc, molasses was used to keep the ammonia concentrations within safe levels for prawn farming. The variables of water quality remained within the suitable range for the production of the species, except for ammonia concentrations at the F treatment, which exceeded the safe levels. At the end of the experiment, the following parameters were evaluated: survival, specific growth rate, weight gain and feed conversion rate. Differences were found only in feed conversion rate with better values on RAS treatment. The microorganisms present in the RAS and F treatment were also evaluated. The densities of rotifers, amoebas and total bacteria were higher at the F treatment although the same organisms were found at the RAS treatment. The results of this study showed the possibility of rearing M. rosenbergii in biofloc system technology.

Evaluation of Nile tilapia in monoculture and polyculture with giant freshwater prawn in biofloc technology system and in recirculation aquaculture system

“…On the other hand, Burford et al (2004) observed a range between 18 and 29% of nitrogen consumed by Pacific white shrimp originated from BFT. Furthermore, according to Ballester et al (2017), the bacterial communities that make up the bioflocs may provide better responses for disease resistance and survival, which can explain the superior S (87%) in BFT in comparison to RAS (79%).…”

“…The RAS experimental tanks (useful volume of 150 L) were composed by independent recirculation system and supplementary aeration via radial air blower (1 hp/system). Air-lift biofilters (10 L) were used in RAS, according to recommendations of Ballester et al (2017). The thermostats coupled to shielded resistance (500 W/tank) were used to keep the water temperature constant at 26.0°C.…”

Prophylactic properties of biofloc- or Nile tilapia-conditioned water against Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection of whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei)

“…Lower prevalence of infection has been associated with lower salinity culture conditions,and use of biofloc systems and lined ponds (Gabaudan, 2012;NACA, 2012;De Schryver et al, 2014;Boonyawiwat et al, 2017). Juvenile shrimp, i.e.…”

“…The use of biofloc can increase feed utilization, growth, survival and the reproductive performance of cultured animals (Xu et al, 2012;Ekasari et al, 2014;Suita, 2016;Ballester et al, 2017). Moreover, some studies have investigated the beneficial immunological effects of the organisms found in biofloc, and their cellular components and metabolites can act as immunostimulants to enhance the shrimp innate immune system and provide improved protection against pathogens (Vazquez et al, 2009;Crab et al, 2010;Ekasari et al, 2014;de Jesus Becerra-Dorame et al, 2014;Xu et al, 2014;Kim et al, 2014; in press a).…”

A review of the use of probiotics in freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium sp.) culture in biofloc systems

“…Among these benefits are greater growth and survival in cultured animals, a decrease in commercial food investment, improvement in water quality, and fewer water refills. Ballester et al (2017) cultivated prawns (M. rosenbergii) with two treatments, a biofilter recirculation system (RAS) and another with microbial flocs (F). Resulting in the high density of rotifers, ciliates, and flagellate, as well as bacteria, these were identified in treatment F, and attributed to the source of carbon used; because the carbon source promotes an increase in bacterial biomass, which, in turn, stimulates the development of other microorganisms, and these will be used as natural food in situ by cultured animals.…”