Effect of feeding frequency on water quality and growth of Litopenaeus vannamei fed extruded and pelleted diets

Abstract

Feeding strategies have a significant impact on growth and water quality in shrimp farming. Feed management also affects health, survival, and shrimp yields. All these factors contribute to production cost-effectiveness and commercial shrimp industry sustainability. The effect of feeding frequency and two aquafeed cooking processes (extrusion and pelleting) on shrimp performance and water quality parameters were studied under controlled conditions in a 60-day trial with juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei fed once (10:00 h); twice (10:00 h, 12:00 h); four (10:00 h, 12:00 h, 15:00 h, 18:00 h); and six (10:00 h, 12:00 h, 15:00 h, 18:00 h, 21:00 h, 24:00 h) times/day. No statistical differences (p > 0.05) in growth rate, survival, nor feed efficiency were observed within pelleted feed treatments at any of the frequencies tested. Growth rate was significantly higher (p < 0.05) with extruded feed when administered once or twice in daylight (10:00–12:00 h). However, at such frequencies, growth was achieved at the cost of water quality and feed conversion ratio. At higher frequencies (six times a day) with extruded diets, the results in water quality suggest a reduction in total ammonia nitrogen and nitrite-nitrogen levels as frequency increased. The outcomes of this study suggest that extruded feed with daylight feeding has the potential to improve growth rate, and an increased frequency could represent a suitable strategy to preserve water quality. This study is the first to show that the extrusion process improves water quality; thus, extruded feeds could reduce effluent pollution impact and improve shrimp farming sustainability.

A study on the effect of feed load on mortality of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

“…The DF was weighed, recorded and divided into six equal portions, which were then fed at regular intervals throughout the day, according to standard procedures (see, e.g. Espinoza‐Ortega et al., 2023). The system was monitored daily for mortalities, if any dead shrimps were noticed in the production tanks it was removed, counted and recorded.…”

“…Litopenaeus vannamei culture is one of the fastest growing industries in aquaculture with a global production of 4.9 million tons in 2020 (Espinoza-Ortega et al, 2023). The success of an aquaculture enterprise depends on its ability to optimise shrimp health through proper management of the aquatic environment and critical water quality parameters, especially in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).…”

“…Strategies to improve feeding must be used to optimise production and reduce waste since discharge nutrients in shrimp farms are generated from feed (Espinoza‐Ortega et al., 2023). As feed constitutes almost half of the total production cost in a shrimp farm, it is crucial to determine the ideal feed rate for shrimp farm management.…”

“…The aim is to ensure that the maximum amount of feed is consumed while producing the least amount of waste (Arnold et al., 2016). Excess feed can directly affect the physicochemical properties of water through leaching loss, residual and undigested feed that can affect the overall shrimp health and increase the cost of managing water quality (Espinoza‐Ortega et al., 2023; Lindholm‐Lehto, 2023). The relationship between feed load or biomass and water quality parameters is crucial for maintaining optimal shrimp health in sustainable aquaculture systems.…”

“…Aquaculture can help to bridge the gap in which seafood production facilities can utilise the best management practices and acceptable technologies to optimise production and reduce the overall costs to satisfy the rapidly growing customer demand (Mateka et al., 2015). Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei culture is one of the fastest growing industries in aquaculture with a global production of 4.9 million tons in 2020 (Espinoza‐Ortega et al., 2023). The success of an aquaculture enterprise depends on its ability to optimise shrimp health through proper management of the aquatic environment and critical water quality parameters, especially in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).…”