ABSTRACT. Juveniles (3.5 ± 0.3 g) of the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei were grown during 40 days with no water exchanges, no food addition and four initial densities (25, 50, 75 and 100 g m -3 , corresponding to between 8 and 32 shrimp m -2 ), to determine growth rates, which could be achieved using the periphyton growing on artificial substrates as the only food source. The experimental culture units were 12 polyethylene 1 m 3 cylindrical tanks with 4.8 m 2 of total submerged surface (bottom and walls), provided with 7.2 m 2 of artificial substrate (Aquamats™). There were no significant differences in the ammonia and nitrite concentrations determined in the four treatments (0.17-0.19 and 0.10-0.11 mg L -1 , respectively), which remained below the respective levels of concern for shrimp cultures. Mean survival was similar, and ranged from close to 91 to 97%, whereas there were significant differences in mean individual weight, which ranged from 11.9-10.6 g shrimp -1 for the two low initial densities (25 y 50 g m -3), to 8.3-7.7 g shrimp -1 for the other treatments. However, because of the high survival and of the higher initial density, the best biomass yield was with 100 g m -3 . The final nitrogen contents of sediment and water were lower than the initial values, and between 36 and 60% of the difference was converted into shrimp biomass. Keywords: Litopenaeus vannamei, artificial substrates, nutrient recycling, biofilm, nitrogen budget, water quality, Mexico. ), aunque por la mayor densidad inicial, el mejor rendimiento en biomasa se observó en los cultivos sembrados con 100 g m -3 . Los contenidos de nitrógeno determinados al final del experimento, en el agua y sedimento, fueron inferiores a los valores iniciales, y entre el 36 y 60% de sus diferencias se recuperaron en biomasa de camarón. Palabras clave: Litopenaeus vannamei, sustrato artificial, reciclamiento de nutrientes, biopelícula, balance de nitrógeno, calidad de agua, México.
Cultivo de camarón blanco (Litopenaeus vannameiBoone