Optimizing Water Management with Probiotics and Minerals in Shrimp Farming

In fish and shrimp farming, water quality is paramount for their survival and productivity. It affects everything from breathing to reproduction. Poor water quality is a major cause of losses in aquaculture operations. Key water quality parameters include temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, pH, and ammonia. Regular monitoring, record-keeping, and proactive management are essential for maintaining optimal water conditions. Success in aquaculture relies on integrating water management with feed, farm management, and robust biosecurity practices.

PROBIOTICS

• In the realm of aquaculture, the surge in intensive farming practices has given rise to a myriad of pathogens, posing significant challenges as infectious diseases become a major hindrance to operations. However, amidst this challenge, probiotics stand out as a beacon of hope for sustainable aquaculture. Probiotics, heralded for their safety, efficacy, and eco-friendliness, offer a promising alternative to antibiotics. They not only foster animal growth and bolster overall health but also hold the potential to mitigate organic waste and pollutants from aquatic environments.
• The term "probiotic" itself encapsulates its essence - pro, meaning "for," and biotic, meaning "life" - indicating its role in promoting life. According to Verschuere and colleagues, in the context of aquaculture, probiotics are defined as live microbial adjuncts that confer beneficial effects on the host. These effects may range from modulating the host-associated or ambient microbial community to enhancing feed utilization, nutritional value, disease resistance, or environmental quality.
• Probiotics operate through various mechanisms, categorizable into gut and water probiotics. Gut probiotics, administered orally with food, work to enhance beneficial microbial flora in the gastrointestinal tract, whereas water probiotics directly influence water quality and pond health through bioremediation.
• The mechanisms of probiotic action are multifaceted, although not entirely elucidated. They include the enhancement of feed utilization and weight gain in aquatic organisms by aiding digestion and nutrient absorption. Probiotics also compete for binding sites, creating a barrier against pathogenic invasion, and releasing bactericidal or bacteriostatic substances to combat pathogens. Additionally, they stimulate the immune system, fostering resistance against diseases and environmental stressors.
• In selecting probiotics for aquaculture, certain criteria must be met, such as harmlessness to the host, acceptance by the host, efficacy in vivo, absence of virulence genes, and cost-effectiveness. Among probiotic species, Bacillus species, particularly Bacillus subtilis, are widely utilized in aquaculture due to their beneficial characteristics.
• However, the efficacy of probiotics relies heavily on quality assurance. Many commercial products need to be more accurate in accurately representing bacterial concentrations and strain specificity. Thus, meticulous selection of probiotics is paramount for successful shrimp and fish culture, considering factors such as viable colony counts, manufacturer standards, and remediation capabilities.
• In essence, probiotics stand as a promising frontier in aquaculture, offering a sustainable and holistic approach to disease management and environmental stewardship. Their continued research and application hold the key to fostering resilient and thriving aquatic ecosystems.