Shrimp farming has become a significant economic activity in many countries; however, disease outbreaks and the rapid increase in the prices of commercial feeds threaten the black tiger shrimp industry.
Currently, there are eco-friendly technologies for shrimp farming aimed at reducing the use of commercial feeds and ensuring the sustainable development of the shrimp industry, such as biofloc technologies and Aquamimicry.
A study published by scientists from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Sher-E-Bangla Agricultural University, and Pukyong National University evaluated the effects of the aquamimetic cultivation technique, using fermented rice bran as a replacement for commercial feed, on the growth, immunity, and survival rate of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon).
What is Aquamimicry?
Aquamimicry is a nature-inspired technique that stimulates natural conditions by applying natural prebiotics to generate live food, especially copepods.
The main benefits of aquamimicry are:
- Reduces dependence on commercial feeds: Fermented rice bran, a more economical alternative, provides nutrients.
- Improves pond health: The special pond design minimizes waste and promotes beneficial microbes.
The Study
Researchers designed aquamimetic ponds with high-density polyethylene liners. Additionally, they used liquid fermented rice bran (LFRB) to produce food before seeding the shrimp.
They raised black tiger shrimp for 90 days in three treatments:
- T0 (Control): Standard pond with 100% commercial feed.
- T1: 90% commercial feed + 10% fermented rice bran in a standard pond.
- T2: 70% commercial feed + 30% fermented rice bran in an aquamimetic pond.
Scientists prepared liquid fermented rice bran (LFRB) with Bacillus subtilis for 24 hours under continuous aeration.
Study Results: Aquamimicry Wins!
“The concept of aquamimicry has been established and adopted in shrimp cultivation to provide natural conditions for production,” reports the scientists. They cite the success of this strategy, including the reduction in feed conversion rates, prevention of disease outbreaks, reduced water exchange, and improved production quality.
The study findings can be summarized as follows:
- Faster growth: Shrimp with 70% commercial feed + 30% LFRB (T2) grew nine times faster than those with 100% commercial feed (T0).
- Higher survival: Shrimp in T2 and T1 (90% commercial feed + 10% LFRB) had significantly higher survival rates than T0.
- Stronger immunity: T2 shrimp had higher blood cell counts and healthier internal organs than T0 and T1 shrimp.
The researchers emphasize that their study addresses the urgent need to identify viable alternatives to commercial feeds and a more sustainable approach to mitigating disease outbreaks in shrimp farming.
Conclusions
Cultivating black tiger shrimp in an aquamimetic system, especially with 70% commercial feed and 30% fermented rice bran (T2), significantly improved the growth, immunity, and survival of black tiger shrimp compared to traditional methods.
This study paves the way for a more sustainable and profitable shrimp farming industry. By adopting aquamimetics and natural feeding alternatives, we can ensure shrimp health, protect the environment, and benefit both farmers and consumers. It is essential to note that aquamimicry adds to eco-friendly technologies for shrimp farming; on the other hand, there are studies comparing aquamimicry with biofloc technology.
Contact
Rafiquzzaman, S. M
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University
Gazipur, Bangladesh
Email: rafiquzzaman@bsmrau.edu.bd
Reference (open access)
Islam, Md. Shoebul and Das, Mousumi and Chakroborty, Koushik and Lee, Jong Min and Rafiquzzaman, S. M., Aquamimicry Improves Growth Performance and Immunity of Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) Reared in Ponds. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4703185 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4703185
