Eulalio Arámbul-Muñoz

This study evaluated alternative carbohydrate sources available in the Brazilian Amazon for use in biofloc systems for the cultivation of white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). The motivation stems from the limited accessibility in this region of sugarcane molasses, a conventional carbon source for the production of bioflocs. Four sources of carbohydrates were tested: coffee grounds, cassava meal, tapioca starch, and molasses, for 35 days. Juvenile shrimp (initial weight 0.14 g) were stocked at a density of 300 ind m-3 in 12 70-L polyethylene tanks, across four treatments with three replications. The effects of the springs on water quality, zootechnical performance of shrimp, and centesimal composition of biofloc and animals were evaluated. All sources maintained water quality within the recommended range for the species. However, the molasses treatment resulted in significantly higher zootechnical performance, with a final weight of 0.61 g and a weekly gain of 0.09 g (P < 0.05). Regarding composition, only moisture content varied significantly between treatments, and coffee grounds and molasses differed from cassava meal and tapioca gum. In addition, shrimp produced with coffee grounds differed significantly from those treated with tapioca gum. In conclusion, although molasses yielded the best performance, all alternative sources also proved efficient. The results show the potential of regional inputs as viable alternatives, expanding the applicability of biofloc technology in areas where molasses is not readily available, contributing to the consolidation of aquaculture practices adapted to Amazonian conditions, and promoting greater productive and environmental autonomy in the activity.

Objetive. The aim of this review is to analyze published information regarding hyper-intensive white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) cultivation in photoheterotrophic systems. Design/methodology/approach: Research focused on collecting data from Elsevier, Scielo, Wiley online library, Pumed, Springer, Scopus, and Science Direct databases. Information was limited to white shrimp Penaeus vannamei. Results. Various studies on shrimp cultivation exist, emphasizing laboratory or pilot experiments examining water quality, biological variables, yield, production, and survival. Cultivation systems are classified into extensive (low shrimp density), semi-intensive (higher density), and hyper-intensive (using fertilizers, artificial feed, and aeration for optimal water quality). Water quality, solid residues, microalgae type, and environmental factors impact whiteleg shrimp development, yield, and survival. Limititations on study/Implications. White shrimp cultivation is extensively studied; however, information on hyper-intensive photoheterotrophic cultivation is scarce. Findings/Conclutions. Hyper-intensive photoheterotrophic cultures show significant development potential for improved shrimp production. As floc-based cultures, they resemble biofloc systems. Despite their promise, research on photoheterotrophic cultures is limited, potentially yielding better responses in terms of development, production, and water quality.

The study evaluated the effects of population density on hemocyte production in the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and its impact on growth, condition, and survival in a culture system with minimal water exchange. Three densities (TA = 300, TB = 500, TC = 700 org m-3) were analyzed over 83 days. Water quality remained within suitable ranges, but NO2-N and NO3-N levels were higher in TC. Growth rates and survival decreased with increased density, particularly in TC, which also showed a higher number of hemocytes, including hyaline, semigranular, granular, and total hemocytes. A strong negative correlation was found between hemocyte count and NO2-N concentrations, as well as between shrimp weight-length and hemocyte count. The results suggest that higher population density negatively affects the shrimp's immune response by increasing the use of energy reserves for homeostasis, thereby reducing growth and overall productivity. http://dx.doi.org/10.21929/abavet2025.4 e2024-5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFUy_lBLS1g El estudio evaluó los efectos de la densidad de población en la producción de hemocitos de Litopenaeus vannamei, así como su impacto en el crecimiento, condición y supervivencia en un cultivo con mínima reposición de agua. Se analizaron tres densidades (TA = 300, TB = 500, TC = 700 org m-3) durante 83 días. La calidad del agua se mantuvo dentro de rangos adecuados, sin embargo, las concentraciones de NO2-N y NO3-N fueron más altas en TC. Se observó que la tasa de crecimiento y supervivencia disminuyeron con el aumento de la densidad, donde TC es el más afectado. El número de hemocitos, incluye hialinos, semigranulares, granulares y totales, fue mayor en TC. Se encontró una alta correlación negativa entre el conteo de hemocitos y las concentraciones de NO2-N, así como entre el peso-longitud del camarón y el conteo de hemocitos. Los resultados sugieren que una mayor densidad de población afecta negativamente la respuesta inmune del camarón, ya que incrementa el uso de las reservas de energía en procesos de homeostasis, lo que reduce su rendimiento productivo y el crecimiento. http://dx.doi.org/10.21929/abavet2025.4 e2024-5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFUy_lBLS1g

In the present study, size-at-age data (length and weight) of marine cage-reared spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus were analyzed under four different variance assumptions (observed, constant, depensatory, and compensatory variances) to analyze the robustness of selecting the right standard deviation structure to parametrize the von Bertalanffy, Logistic, and Gompertz models. The selection of the best model and variance criteria was obtained based on the Bayesian information criterion (BIC). According to the BIC results, the observed variance in the present study was the best way to parametrize the three abovementioned growth models, and the Gompertz model best represented the length and weight growth curves. Based on these results, using the observed error structure to calculate the growth parameters in multi-model inference analyses is recommended.

Influence of stocking density on production and water quality of a photo-heterotrophic intensive system of white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) in circular lined grow-out ponds, with minimal water replacement

This study investigated the environmental impact of offshore floating sea cages and the influence of runoff on cage fish farming in SE Gulf of California via the analysis of the physico-chemical profiles of the water column and sediments, located in SE Gulf of California, Mexico. Water and sediment samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters. In general, nitrates showed the highest concentrations of nutrients in the potential impact station (1.92 mg L-1). The results displayed temporal variations in the NH4+, NO3-, and PO43- in the water column as well as variations in the clay and organic matter in the sediment. The observed trends of these parameters were toward higher concentration in the potential impact and control stations.

The main purpose of this study was to review the growth models used in fish culture and demonstrate the benefit of using the most appropriate growth model for aquaculture studies. For this reason, another part of this study was to use a dataset from spotted rose snapper (Lutjanus guttatus Steindachner, 1869) cultured in floating cages to determine what growth models were applicable to this species. A total of 558 weight‐at‐age data points from a commercial farm located near Nayarit, Mexico were used. The fish were cultured for 270 days in three cages of 125 m³ capacity. The initial density was 25 fish m⁻³, with an average weight of 2.07 ± 0.52 g. Four asymptotic models (von Bertalanffy growth model, a logistic model, the Gompertz growth model and the Ratkowsky modified model), three nonasymptotic models (exponential, power extended and persistence models) and three versions of the generalized Schnute model were selected as candidate models. The best model was selected based on the Akaike information criterion. The maximum log‐likelihood algorithm was used to parameterize the models considering a multiplicative error structure. The survival was 90%, and the average final weight was 429.84 ± 31.53 g. We concluded that the best model for describing the growth of spotted rose snapper farmed in marine floating cages was the Schnute model.