Improvement of water quality, survivality, growth performance, and proximate composition of Penaeus monodon postlarvae through immobilizing Tetraselmis chuii

Abstract

In this study, an efficient, simple and eco-friendly biological method, immobilized Tetraselmis chuii beads (TetraBeads) were tested for its efficacy in maintaining water quality to improve the survival and growth of Penaeus monodon postlarvae. Results showed that the tanks, treated with Tetrabeads, were able to significantly (p < 0.05) sustain TAN and NO2–N concentration below 0.1 mg/L. Shrimp PLs in the tanks, treated with TetraBeads beads, had significantly higher (p < 0.05) survival rate (85 ± 0.6%) and specific growth rate (16 ± 0.8%) and higher survival (76 ± 4.8%) when subjected to stress test compared to other treatments. In addition, shrimp PLs cultured in TetraBeads tanks had the highest protein (47.9 ± 0.2) and lipid (28.6 ± 0.3) content compared to control tanks (43.3 ± 0.5; 26.1 ± 0.6). This study illustrated the beneficial effects of TetraBeads in improving water quality, growth and survival of shrimp larvae culture in shrimp hatchery.