Microbial soup­Eco based approach for shrimp culture and management

Abstract

The concept of ‘microbial soup’ eventually led to development of “biofloc” technology in changing the facet of intensive aquaculture with scope to attain high productivity through a sustainable approach. By developing dense heterotrophic bacterial community, the system becomes bacterial dominated rather than algae dominated and takes care of the waste generated in the aquaculture system through in­situ bioremediation. Biofloc technology approach promises a healthy rearing system, which is increasingly identified as one possible solution for disease problems. Protein is utilized two times once as feed for the shrimp and second time as microbial floc when the heterotrophic microbes converts the nitrogenous waste into protein. Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture has successfully demonstrated the biofloc and periphyton based nursery and grow out technology for Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. This study deals with the evolution of the concept, principles and progress in research including dynamics of biofloc production through addition of different carbohydrate sources and inoculums visa­vis protein levels for better yield. Advantage in providing better growth performance, nutrition, the “natural probiotic” effect in BFT and protective response against pathogens with biofloc based rearing is elaborated.