Diversity and fluctuation of cultivable Vibrio bacteria populations in an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system of Holothuria scabra, Chanos chanos and Gracillaria sp

Abstract

Sea cucumber is one of the vital aquaculture commodities in the global market. Progressive demand and limiting the supply of sea cucumber from natural sources drove sea cucumber aquaculture development. An integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system (IMTA) was a polyculture system in aquaculture to improve production by promoting nutrient utilisation through different tropical levels. This system combined sea cucumber (Holothuria scabra), milkfish (Chanos chanos), and seaweed (Gracillaria sp.) in a rearing tank system. Several factors affect the success of IMTA processes, including microorganisms. Microorganisms in the aquaculture environment play a crucial role in elements cycling, energy flow and farmed-species health. Diseases caused by the bacteria, mainly from the Vibrionaceae family, were often chronic than acute and may cause a high mortality percentage. This study aimed to investigate the Vibrio bacterial diversity and fluctuation in the water of IMTA rearing tanks. The result indicated that the Vibrio bacterial diversity from the polyculture system (IMTA) was generally higher than the monoculture system. Vibrio bacteria populations from different culture systems have been found to consist of varied bacterial species. However, the predominant species was the same. The polyculture system is suggested as a sustainable and eco-friendly culture system.