Effects of minimum dissolved oxygen setpoints for aeration in semi-intensive pond production of Pacific White shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Authors: ARAUJO, ADELA - Auburn University; SAN ANDRES, CHRISTIAN - Auburn University; NGUYEN, KHANH - Auburn University; CORBY, TRENTON - Auburn University; RHODES, MELANIE - Auburn University; Garcia, Julio; ROY, LUKE - Auburn University; STOECKEL, JIM - Auburn University; DAVIS, ALLEN - Auburn University

Submitted to: Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/18/2024
Publication Date: 1/15/2025
Citation: Araujo, A.N., San Andres, C.F., Nguyen, K.Q., Corby, T.L., Rhodes, M.A., Garcia, J.C., Roy, L.A., Stoeckel, J., Davis, A.D. 2024. Effects of minimum dissolved oxygen setpoints for aeration in semi-intensive pond production of Pacific White shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Aquaculture. 594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.741376.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.741376

Interpretive Summary: Aeration is considered one of the most critical factors in shrimp farming as it affects the metabolism of not only the shrimp but all living organisms in the system. To maintain proper dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in the water is critical, as exposure to low levels can cause stress, lower resistance to disease, and inhibit growth of the culture species. Although the effect of low dissolved oxygen has been widely studied in aquaculture, these have been mostly done in a short-term hypoxia study setting, and little to no research has been done with respect to diurnal cycles of this variable. Even though this concept is simple, the execution of DO management is more complex, and dependent on numerous factors. To help elucidate the effects of DO management on shrimp performance a research trial was conducted. The trial was aimed to determine the effects of three lower DO set points for automatic aeration systems in earthen shrimp ponds by evaluating the effects of the setpoints on shrimp production as well as water quality. In sixteen earthen ponds (0.1 ha), juvenile shrimp ('0.030g) were stocked at a density of 25ind/m2. Distinct values for minimal DO levels that triggered automatic aeration activation were explored as treatments, namely 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 mg/L. There were 5 replicates per automatic aeration activation treatments. Shrimp were fed using the AQ1 passive acoustic monitoring system, the feeding was set to not feed while aeration was below the given aeration levels. Shrimp growth performance and water quality indicators were monitored every week. At the end of the 79–81-day trial, results showed that different aeration control strategies had no significant effect in terms of growth performance, feed inputs or productivity parameters. The final weight of the shrimp ranged between 33.3-33.6 g, with average final yields of 7,500-8,500kg per ha. Nonetheless, electrical costs mean values between treatments were significantly different, meaning that higher DO concentration treatments had a higher cost to supply aeration. Water quality parameters showed no significant difference, except for morning and afternoon DO concentrations.

Technical Abstract: Aeration is considered one of the most critical factors in shrimp farming as it affects the metabolism of not only the shrimp but all living organisms in the system. To maintain proper dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in the water is critical, as exposure to low levels can cause stress, lower resistance to disease, and inhibit growth of the culture species. Although the effect of low dissolved oxygen has been widely studied in aquaculture, these have been mostly done in a short-term hypoxia study setting, and little to no research has been done with respect to diurnal cycles of this variable. Even though this concept is simple, the execution of DO management is more complex, and dependent on numerous factors. To help elucidate the effects of DO management on shrimp performance a research trial was conducted. The trial was aimed to determine the effects of three lower DO set points for automatic aeration systems in earthen shrimp ponds by evaluating the effects of the setpoints on shrimp production as well as water quality. In sixteen earthen ponds (0.1 ha), juvenile shrimp ('0.030g) were stocked at a density of 25ind/m2. Distinct values for minimal DO levels that triggered automatic aeration activation were explored as treatments, namely 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 mg/L. There were 5 replicates per automatic aeration activation treatments. Shrimp were fed using the AQ1 passive acoustic monitoring system, the feeding was set to not feed while aeration was below the given aeration levels. Shrimp growth performance and water quality indicators were monitored every week. At the end of the 79–81-day trial, results showed that different aeration control strategies had no significant effect in terms of growth performance, feed inputs or productivity parameters. The final weight of the shrimp ranged between 33.3-33.6 g, with average final yields of 7,500-8,500kg per ha. Nonetheless, electrical costs mean values between treatments were significantly different, meaning that higher DO concentration treatments had a higher cost to supply aeration. Water quality parameters showed no significant difference, except for morning and afternoon DO concentrations.