Abstract
Litopenaeus vannamei is the most cultivated shrimp species in Brazil, being fed basically on high protein formulated diets. However, some studies have shown that the natural zooplankton found in shrimp ponds can be part of the diet of this crustacean. In this study, the zooplankton composition, density and biomass were evaluated for two shrimp ponds from a shrimp farm in the Patos Lagoon estuary, in southern Brazil (32°00’S, 51°59’W) between 11/09/2005 and 01/20/2006. The two ponds were sampled over three consecutive months using a zooplankton net of 150 cm total length, 30 cm mouth diameter and 140 µm nylon mesh size. All the zooplankton samples were preserved in formaldehyde solution at a final concentration of 4% and transported to the laboratory, where the composition, density and biomass (wet and dry weight) were assessed. Copepoda and Cladocera were the most frequent groups, while the most abundant species were Acartia tonsa, Pseudodiaptomus richardi and Moina micrura,species commonly found in the Patos Lagoon Estuary. The density values obtained in the ponds were higher than those usually found in the estuary during periods of maximum production, reaching 278 org.L-1 in 11/18/2005 (pond 1), and 277 org.L-1 in 12/08/2005 (pond 2), suggesting that the zooplankton grow well in the shrimp ponds. Zooplankton biomass in the ponds was also relatively high, ranging from 0.15 to 13.28 g.m-3 of wet weight and 0.01 to 2.72 g.m-3 of dry weight, following the same tendency of density. These results clearly indicate that the natural zooplankton occurring in the shrimp ponds represents a potential food source for the shrimp larvae and juveniles during the first months of culture.
Highlights
In recent decades, shrimp farming has been attracting considerable attention due to its remarkable growth worldwide (FAO, 2006)
Copepoda and Cladocera were the most frequent groups, while the most abundant species were Acartia tonsa, Pseudodiaptomus richardi and Moina micrura, species commonly found in the Patos Lagoon Estuary
Zooplankton biomass in the ponds was relatively high, ranging from 0.15 to 13.28 g.m-3 of wet weight and 0.01 to 2.72 g.m-3 of dry weight, following the same tendency of density. These results clearly indicate that the natural zooplankton occurring in the shrimp ponds represents a potential food source for the shrimp larvae and juveniles during the first months of culture
Summary
Shrimp farming has been attracting considerable attention due to its remarkable growth worldwide (FAO, 2006). L. vannamei is a marine species from the Pacific Ocean from the west coast of Mexico to the coast of Peru, showing great resistance to varying culture conditions, tolerating a wide range of temperatures and salinities (Bray et al, 1993; PoncePalafox et al, 1997). These characteristics are especially attractive because they reduce entrepreneurial risks and increase the chances of profitability. This explains why L. vannamei, exotic, is the main cultivated species in Brazil, given that other native penaeid shrimps are less tolerant to varying culture conditions (Brito et al, 2000)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Brazilian Journal of Aquatic Science and Technology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
