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Simple Summary: The use of Artemia as a supplement to commercial feed during the nursery period, i.e., from post-larvae 10 up to post-larvae 30, is a common procedure in the shrimp industry. This practice provides larger and more resilient post-larvae (PL) that perform better in grow-out ponds. However, the production of brine shrimp is limited to a few natural salt lakes or man-made salt ponds worldwide, subject to strongly fluctuating yields and product quality. Therefore, ongoing research is focused on finding adequate live food alternatives. Nematodes, commonly known as worms, are animals that greatly fulfil the requirements to be used as live feed for aquatic organisms. Nematodes can be reactivated from their desiccated state by simple rehydration. Additionally, they are rich in protein and fatty acids, making them a favorable nutritional diet for shrimp larvae culture. This study demonstrated that nematodes can substitute Artemia in a co-feeding regime for the nursery of shrimp in a biofloc system, increasing the survival of the post-larvae after 20 days. This study evaluated nematodes as an alternative to live Artemia when provided in a co-feeding regime to Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) post-larvae (PL) reared in a biofloc nursery system. A 20-day experiment employing PL11 was performed for an evaluation of four dietary groups: control [C] (fed exclusively with a dry commercial feed); artificial Artemia [AA] (dry feed composed of extracted and processed Artemia cysts and dry commercial feed); live Artemia and dry commercial feed [LA]; and nematodes and dry commercial feed [N] (Panagrolaimus sp. dry nematodes). The diets were provided twice a day, with the remaining six feed provisions being a commercial dry feed for all experimental groups. A biofloc system was chosen as it offers a potentially sustainable approach to intensive shrimp farming. Alkalinity and pH in the [N] group were significantly higher in the last 5 days of the experiment (p < 0.05), likely causing the significantly lower nitrite levels observed in that same group (p < 0.05). Total and volatile suspended solids were significantly lower in the two live feed groups when compared with [C] and [AA] (p < 0.05). Although PL fed the dry diets exhibited higher growth rates (p < 0.05), the [N] and [LA] groups presented significantly higher final survivals (p < 0.05). No differences were found for survival after a salinity stress test (p ≥ 0.05). These results suggest that nematodes can successfully substitute Artemia in a co-feeding regime for P. vannamei PL reared in biofloc nursery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate different feeding rate ratios in a biofloc technology‐based aquaponics system employing sea asparagus (Sarcocornia ambigua) and Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in an 83‐day experiment. Two treatments were evaluated: 100 and 50 g feed m−2 day−1, which were achieved by doubling the plant production area from 0.4 m2 to 0.8 m2. Shrimps (1.39 g ± 0.06 g) were reared under an initial density of 250 animals m−3 in 800 L polyethylene tanks, while the plants were cultivated using nutrient film technique hydroponic benches which received water from the shrimp unit through a pumping system. The increase in plant production area allowed for a statistically significant increase in the plant final biomass in approximately 74% (p < 0.05), with the end result that plant productivity was not altered (p ≥ 0.05). Shrimp growth performance and the concentrations of nitrogen compounds and orthophosphate did not differ significantly between treatments (p ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, the reduction in the feeding rate ratio from 100 to 50 g m−2 day−1 did not impair plant productivity, which indicates that the efficiency of the system was improved, as a greater plant biomass was produced with the same amount of shrimp feed inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: BFT; FAPROTAX; IMTA; Litopenaeus vannamei; metagenomics; Oreochromis niloticus EN BFT FAPROTAX IMTA Litopenaeus vannamei metagenomics Oreochromis niloticus 5428 5433 6 09/21/22 20221015 NES 221015 Metagenomics allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the bacterial community in diverse habitats, as the whole collection of genomes in a sample is sequenced, instead of the conventional culture-based approach in which particular strains/species are isolated and cultured in a laboratory setting (Bodor et al., 2020; Wajid et al., 2021). Aquaculture Research, 49, 1699 - 1708. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13626 56 Zhu, Y., Wang, S., Huang, L., Yan, M., Dong, P., Chen, C., Guo, H., & Zhang, D. (2021). Reviews in Aquaculture, 13 (2), 1077 - 1096. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12513 27 Johnson, M., Zaretskaya, I., Raytselis, Y., Merezhuk, Y., Mcginnis, S., & Madden, T. L. (2008). Reviews in Aquaculture, 11 (1), 234 - 245. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12237 38 Poli, M. A., Legarda, E. C., Lorenzo, M. A., Martins, M. A., & Vieira, F. N. (2019). [Extracted from the article]

This study aimed to isolate a yeast strain and evaluate its potential to be inoculated in the biofloc technology culture of Pacific white shrimp employing in vitro and in vivo assays. A yeast strain identified as Meyerozyma guilliermondii (CPQBA 1459/17 DRM‐01) was isolated from the soil of an estuary. Its growth kinetics under different salinities (0%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0% NaCl) and Vibrio alginolyticus inhibition were evaluated in vitro. For the in vivo assay, a factorial design was employed to evaluate the effects of yeast addition and biofloc management strategy in the nursery culture of Litopenaeus vannamei as regards shrimp growth performance, water quality and water microbiology. The two factors evaluated were biofloc (mature and heterotrophic) and yeast (addition or no addition), totaling four treatments. In the in vitro trials, the yeast strain was capable of growing under all salinities evaluated, but no pathogen inhibition was observed. In the in vivo experiment, the addition of yeast significantly reduced the concentration of total suspended solids (p < 0.05), in addition to promoting a higher post‐larvae survival when considering only the two mature biofloc treatments (p < 0.05). No significant effects on water Vibrio spp. and total heterotrophic bacteria counts were found (p ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, the inoculation of yeast in the biofloc culture of L. vannamei exhibited bioremediation potential and improvement in shrimp survival, the latter being modulated by the biofloc management strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the production of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and growth performance of Sarcocornia ambigua exposed to different periods of continuous irrigation in an aquaponics system with Litopenaeus vannamei reared in a biofloc technology (BFT) system, in addition to possible effects on shrimp growth performance, nitrogen recovery and water quality. Four treatments were evaluated as follows: 6, 12, 18 and 24 h of continuous irrigation per day, all set up in triplicate. Plants from the 12 and 24 h of irrigation treatments exhibited significantly higher values of phenolic compounds, 48.4 ± 1.8 and 47.7 ± 1.6 mg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE) 100 g−1 FW (fresh weight), respectively, when compared with the 6 and 18 h treatments, 42.6 ± 1.1 and 42.6 ± 1.3 mg GAE 100 g−1 FW, respectively (p < 0.05). Antioxidant activity also differed significantly between treatments (p < 0.05). The highest concentrations were found in treatments of 12 and 24 h of irrigation, which presented 41.3 ± 0.6 and 42.7 ± 0.8 μmol Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) 100 g−1 FW, respectively. For treatments of 6 and 18 h of irrigation, the concentrations were 29.9 ± 0.8 and 31.1 ± 1.5 μmol TEAC 100 g−1 FW. No significant differences between treatments were observed for plant and shrimp growth performance (p ≥ 0.05). There was also no significant effect of the different irrigation periods on water quality (p ≥ 0.05). The overall mean nitrogen recovery was 29.3% for all treatments. In conclusion, S. ambigua cultivated under 12 and 24 h of continuous irrigation exhibited higher production of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on fish health indicators of different Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) stocking densities when reared in an integrated culture with Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) using biofloc technology for 57 days. Three fish densities were evaluated: 8, 16 and 24 fish tank−1 with four replicates each. The experimental units comprised 800 L (useful volume) tanks for shrimp rearing and 90 L (useful volume) tanks for the culture of tilapia, which had an initial mean weight of 9.64 ± 0.14 g. A submerged pump located inside the shrimp tanks recirculated the water between the two units. The system was managed as a biofloc technology unit, with the addition of organic carbon to control ammonia and the monitoring of water quality, which remained within suitable ranges for both species. On day 57, fish were sampled for the assessment of the hemato-immunological variables. Fish reared under the highest stocking density exhibited significantly higher values of hematocrit and total leukocytes when compared to the two lowest densities (p < 0.05). The count of neutrophils and the agglutination titer were significantly greater in the 16 and 24 fish tank−1 groups (p < 0.05). These results suggest that, although the fish reared under the two stocking densities appear to have been undergoing physiological changes at the end of the culture period, the hemato-immunological alterations were not characterized by a general immunosuppressed state and instead by immunoenhancement. This is an indication that the carrying capacity of the system as regards fish density was being reached only towards the end of the trial. • The highest fish stocking density increased hematocrit and total leukocyte count. • The two highest densities resulted in higher neutrophil and agglutination titer. • Results suggest that fish were not characterized by general immunossupression. • Immunoenhancement seems to have occurred towards the end of the trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of heterotrophic and mature biofloc systems on yield, water quality, sludge production, water bacterial community, recovery of nutrients and fish health in Litopenaeus vannamei and Oreochromis niloticus integrated culture through a 53-day experiment. Two treatments were evaluated: an organic carbon (C) supplemented system (heterotrophic treatment), in which organic C was supplemented throughout the whole experiment and no biofloc inoculum was added at the beginning, and a mature treatment in which half of the volume of shrimp units was filled with biofloc-rich water from a previous rearing cycle before the culture started. Shrimp (3.34 ± 0.03 g) and fish (5.73 ± 0.06 g) were stocked at 300 shrimp m−3 and 344 fish m−3. The former were fed according to a feeding table, while the latter were fed at the rate of 1% of their biomass to stimulate the ingestion of bioflocs. Shrimp growth performance was unaffected (p >.05), but fish reared in the heterotrophic treatment exhibited better values for all growth performance variables evaluated (p <.05). Total ammonia nitrogen and nitrite were lower in the mature treatment (p <.05). Total sludge produced in the heterotrophic treatment was 114% higher than that in the mature treatment (p <.05), which resulted in greater sludge produced per animal biomass (sludge to biomass ratio) (p <.05). Bacterial community diversity was reduced in the heterotrophic treatment, and relative abundance of Vibrionaceae was reduced. The recovery of N and P was higher in the heterotrophic treatment (p <.05). Fish health was unaffected by the biofloc system. This research shows that the organic C supplemented system favored fish growth in the integrated rearing, maintaining water quality suitable for growing organisms and healthy fish. In contrast, the mature system produced less sludge. • Mature and heterotrophic biofloc systems were applied to Litopenaeus vannamei and Oreochromis niloticus integrated rearing. • The heterotrophic treatment resulted in an increased amount of sludge removed. • Shrimp yield was unaffected while the tilapia yield increased by 120% in the heterotrophic treatment. • N and P recoveries were greater in the heterotrophic treatment. • Bacterial community diversity and relative abundance of Vibrionaceae were reduced in the heterotrophic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Chemoautotrophic and mature systems are effective in avoiding high concentrations of ammonia and nitrite in biofloc system. • Chemoautotrophic system begins with a lower bacterial load of Vibrio. • Chemoautotrophic and heterotrophic systems improve the growth of Pacific white shrimp in the nursery phase in biofloc system. In biofloc technology (BFT) rearing systems, nitrogen compounds, specially ammonia and nitrite, have to be controlled by microbial pathways, mainly through the activity of heterotrophic and chemoautotrophic bacteria. The objective of this work was to assess different water preparation strategies (heterotrophic, chemoautotrophic and mature) in BFT system for nursery of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). A 35-day study was conducted with post-larvae shrimp (0.08 g) stocked in twelve 300 L tanks at a stocking density of 2000 shrimp m−3. The water preparation strategies for shrimp rearing that were evaluated in this study included: i) Heterotrophic treatment, where the water received sugar as a carbon source; ii) Chemoautotroph treatment, where ammonium and nitrite salts were added to the water; and iii) Mature treatment, which was created by the addition of a significant amount of water containing mature biofloc from another established BFT system. In both mature and chemoautotrophic treatments, the nitrification process was able to keep toxic nitrogen compounds (ammonia and nitrite) at low levels without the addition of carbohydrates. In contrast, heterotrophic system showed peaks of ammonia and nitrite during the rearing cycle, and the level of these compounds were found to be higher in this treatment (relative to the mature and chemoautotrophic treatments). The chemoautotrophic system exhibited a lower abundance of bacteria from the family Vibrionaceae in the beginning of the experiment compared to the heterotrophic and mature treatments. The combination of low Vibrionaceae abundance and good water quality resulted in improved growth performance in this treatment. These findings demonstrate the importance of manipulating the environment of BFT systems to induce an enrichment of nitrifying bacteria before stocking shrimp. We have also found that the addition of a carbon source to BFT systems is necessary only in emergency situations, when ammonia spikes need to be controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated an integrated system for rearing Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and white mullet (Mugil curema) in an experimental-scale biofloc system. Performance of the animals, water quality, phosphorus and nitrogen retention and mass balance, and fish hematology and immunology were compared among two treatments: 1) shrimp with mullet integrated system (Shrimp + Mullet), and ii) shrimp without mullet system (Shrimp). A tank with 800 L of useful volume was used to rear the shrimp with a density of 250 shrimp m−3. Another tank with 90 L of useful volume was maintained for rearing fish (15 mullet tank−1) in the Shrimp + Mullet treatment. The shrimp treatment also used the 90-L tanks, but without the fish. Water was recirculated into the mullet tanks via a submerged pump and returned by gravity to the shrimp tanks. The shrimp were fed four times a day. A feeding table was used to adjust the amount of feed provided, and the fish were fed only once daily with a ratio of 1% initial biomass to stimulate biofloc consumption (BFT). After 53 days, shrimp growth (final weight 12.56 ± 0.22 g) and survival (91.8% ± 2.9%) were similar between treatments. Fish had adequate survival (91.1% ± 10.2%), and adequate growth for Mugil species (0.71 ± 0.05 g week−1) in the integrated system. In the Shrimp + Mullet treatment, animal productivity was increased by 11.9% by combining Shrimp + Mullet biomass, when compared to the Shrimp treatment. The Shrimp + Mullet treatment also demonstrated a 16.8% increase in phosphorus retention compared to the Shrimp treatment. The hemato-immunological parameters showed that fish kept in a biofloc system had adequate values comparable to those reported for Mugil species. Thus, these experimental-scale results demonstrate that the integration of shrimp and mullet in biofloc systems increases yield and phosphorous retention without compromising fish health and shrimp growth. In addition, we recommend reproducing this integrated system over a longer period and at commercial-scale, supporting an economic analysis. • Integration of mullet and shrimp increased biofloc system yield by 11.9%. • Integration of shrimp and mullet in a biofloc was ecologically more efficient and increased phosphorus retention by 16.8% • Feed restriction in the biofloc system did not compromise fish health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different stocking densities of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus , integrated with Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei , reared in a biofloc system for 57 days. The performance of both species and the ecological efficiency of the system were evaluated. Four levels of tilapia stocking density were evaluated: 0, 8, 16 and 24 fish per tank (90 L useful volume). The initial weight was 4.8 ± 0.1 g and 9.6 ± 0.1 g for shrimp and fish, respectively. The shrimp were fed according to the feed table, and the fish were fed with 1% of fish biomass, stimulating the tilapia to seek food in the biofloc. Results show no difference between average shrimp weight (14.9 ± 0.6 g) and survival (93.0% ± 1.0%). Similarly, fish obtained a final mean weight of 61.9 ± 3.8 g and survival of 91.1 ± 7.9%. Total yield was higher based on the increase in fish density. The sludge produced per animal biomass (sludge:biomass ratio) decreased as fish density increased (y = − 0.0083xx + 0.5995 r2 = 0.87). Nitrogen recovery rose linearly with the increase in fish density (y = 0.036xx + 0.2725, r2 = 0.84), as did phosphorus recovery (y = 0.00711xx + 0.1395, r2 = 0.91). These results demonstrate the feasibility of increasing yield up to 31.2% by integrating L. vannamei and O. niloticus in a biofloc system. Also, the decrease in sludge:biomass ratio and the higher nitrogen and phosphorus recovery increased the sustainability of L. vannamei rearing in a biofloc system. Highlights • It was evaluated the integration of Litopenaeus vanammei and Oreochromis niloticus in the biofloc technology. • Shrimp was reared in 311 animals m−3 and the tilapia was reared with three different stock densities. • It was possible to increase productivity up to 31.2% • The recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus increased 27.9% and 223.0% respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of integrated culture of sea lettuce (Ulva fasciata) on the shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and mullet (Mugil liza) rearing in a biofloc technology (BFT), on water quality, animal performance and seaweed growth, nitrogen and phosphorus recovery, seaweed bioactive compounds. Two groups were compared: i) Ulva group: cultivation system integrating shrimp and mullet with seaweed, ii) control group: the same without seaweed, both groups used BFT. Each group had four replicates; initial biomass was 618 ± 8 g and 246 ± 34 g for the shrimp and mullet, respectively. Additionally, in the Ulva group, 120 g of sea lettuce per tank was included every two weeks. After 55 days, the integration of seaweed in the system did not influence the shrimp and mullet performance. Shrimps grew, on average, 1.22 g week−1, with 90.6% survival, 2.91 kg m−3 yield and 1.84 FCR. Mullets grew, on average, 1.035 g week−1, with 99.17% survival, and 4.08 kg m−3 yield. At the end 317.01 ± 32.02 g of seaweed per experimental unit was harvested. The total final biomass and yield, considering the whole system, were 12.2% higher in the Ulva group than in the control group. Nitrogen and phosphorus recovery were respectively 5.5% and 7.6% higher in the Ulva group than in the control group. The nitrogen, phosphorus, chlorophyll-a and carotenoids contents in the Ulva group were also higher at the end of the experiment. In conclusion, the integration of sea lettuce can increase the total yield, nitrogen and phosphorus recovery in the biofloc system. Furthermore, the integration of sea lettuce in this system can increase the content of chlorophyll-a and carotenoids, without affecting the yield of ulvan extract. • The integration of Ulva fasciata in the shrimp and mullet culture in biofloc system can improve total productivity in 12.2%. • U. fasciata integrated on shrimp and mullet culture in biofloc increase recovery of nitrogen in 5.5% and phosphorus in 7.6%. • Seaweed in IMTA-BFT system has more bioactive compounds and protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]