Low-cost experimental unit and growth medium for testing soil effects on shrimp culture

Abstract

PVC pipes, 10 cm in diameter and 46 cm long, sealed at one end and filled with 18 ppt of artificial seawater and a 6-cm layer of substrate, were tested as experimental units for the culturing of penaeid shrimp. The growth substrate was prepared by mixing 70% quartz sand, 24% Georgia kaolin, 5% Gonzales bentonite and 1% Bermuda grass hay. One juvenile Penaeus vannamei was placed in each container and shrimp weight gain was monitored. In the first study (four replicates), shrimp grew to 8.15 g within 8 weeks at a rate of ≈1 g week −1 with no mortality; thereafter, growth decreased and 25% mortality was observed. In the second study (seven replicates), the average weight of shrimp was 8.66 g in 10 weeks, with 29% mortality occurring between the seventh and eighth week. Experimental unit cost was $3.30.