Acclimation of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei to Low-Salinity Aquaculture

Abstract

Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) has been developed for intensive breeding and rearing techniques, and is the globally commercially cultured shrimp species. A process for rearing healthy and viable stocks, capable of thriving in low- salinity grow-out systems furthers the development of intensive production of L.vannamei in the shrimp industry. This research investigated the development of an integrated model to improve health and survival of L.vannamei postlarvae during acclimation to a low-salinity environment by considering four factors, acclimation rate, salinity end-point, ionic and probiotic enhancements. The results showed survival was over 90% with a salinity end-point of 2 ppt at both 2 and 4 day rates. At 0 ppt salinity end-point, survival was 74.4% at 4 days, and 22.2% at 2 days. Probiotic and ionic enhancements did not improve over the non-enhanced, except at the higher 2 ppt salinity end-point at the 4 day rate, indicating potential for long-term benefits.