article · Scientific Reports
Biofloc technology offers a sustainable approach to shrimp cultivation, but operating conditions must be carefully balanced. An investigation evaluated white-leg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, raised over sixteen weeks at two stocking densities: a low density of 50 organisms per square metre and a high density of 200 organisms per square metre. Shrimp maintained at the lower density displayed superior growth rates, survival, feed consumption, and higher whole-body protein and lipid contents. Biofloc harvested from the low-density ponds also contained more protein. In contrast, high-density cultivation led to elevated counts of harmful bacteria, including Vibrio species and Salmonella enterica, along with structural damage to shrimp gills. Furthermore, shrimp at lower stocking densities demonstrated greater digestive and antioxidant enzyme activities and stronger expression of immune-related genes, whereas high stocking densities triggered elevated stress-related gene expression.
Shrimp farming operations often increase stocking numbers to maximise output, yet crowding can undermine productivity. This research demonstrates that high stocking density compromises water quality, elevates bacterial pathogens, damages tissues, and weakens shrimp immune defences in biofloc systems. Understanding these physiological thresholds helps farm managers balance stocking numbers against animal health, disease risks, and product quality.
This research provides applied evidence directly relevant to commercial shrimp producers and aquaculture facility managers using biofloc systems. By demonstrating that high stocking density introduces pathogenic risks such as Salmonella and reduces overall yield quality, the findings offer actionable parameters for pond stocking strategies. The insights are tested at pond scale and can be applied immediately by farm operators to improve biosecurity, feed management, and animal welfare.
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Abstract Biofloc (BF) stands out as a promising system for sustainable shrimp farming. Optimizing various culture conditions, such as stocking density, carbohydrate source, and feeding management, is crucial for the widespread adoption of the BF system. This study compares the growth performance of white-leg shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei ) in culture ponds at low density (LD) with 50 organisms/m 2 and high density (HD) with 200 organisms/m 2 . Post-larvae of white-leg shrimp were stocked for 16 weeks in both LD and HD groups. The LD group exhibited a superior survival rate, growth rate, and feed consumption compared to the HD group. The BF from the LD system recorded a significantly higher protein content (16.63 ± 0.21%) than the HD group (15.21 ± 0.34%). Heterotrophic bacterial counts in water did not significantly differ with stocking density. However, Vibrio count in water samples was higher in the HD group (3.59 ± 0.35 log CFU/mL) compared to the LD group (2.45 ± 0.43 log CFU/mL). The whole shrimp body analysis revealed significantly higher protein and lipid content in the LD group. In contrast, the total aerobic bacterial count in shrimp from the HD group was high, with the identification of Salmonella enterica ssp. arizonae . Additionally, Vibrio counts in shrimp samples were significantly higher in the HD group (4.63 ± 0.32 log CFU/g) compared to the LD group (3.57 ± 0.22 log CFU/g). The expression levels of immune-associated genes, including prophenoloxidase, transglutaminase, penaiedin 3, superoxide dismutase, lysozyme, serine proteinase, and the growth-related gene ras-related protein ( rap-2a ), were significantly enhanced in the LD group. Conversely, stress-related gene expression increased significantly in the HD group. Hepatopancreases amylase, lipase, and protease were higher in the LD group, while trypsin activity did not differ significantly. Antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) significantly increased in the LD group. The histological structure of hepatopancreas, musculature, and female gonads remained similar in both densities. However, negative effects were observed in the gills' histology of the HD group. These results suggest that increasing stocking density is associated with significantly negative biological, microbial, and physiological effects on white-leg shrimp under the BF system.
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DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61328-4
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