Superintensive Culture of White Shrimp, <i>Litopenaeus vannamei</i>, in a Biofloc Technology System in Southern Brazil at Different Stocking Densities

Abstract

The white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, is distributed in the Pacific Ocean from Northern Mexico to the coast of Northern Peru, in waters with temperatures usually above 20 C throughout the year (FAO 2009). Not surprisingly, L. vannamei has generally been cultured in tropical regions around the world. The shrimp grows best at temperatures between 28 and 32 C (Van Wyk and Scarpa 1999). In temperate and subtropical climates, L. vannamei culture is strongly affected by low temperatures. Low temperatures may limit shrimp growth and cause mortality during the coldest months (Peixoto et al. 2003). In Northeast Brazil, crop cycles can be repeated in order to ensure production throughout the year. However, in Southern Brazil low temperatures restrict L. vannamei pond culture to periods of between 6 and 8 mo (Peixoto et al. 2003; FAO 2009; Krummenauer et al. 2010). The use of greenhouse-enclosed shrimp biofloc culture rearing system (BFT systems) is a technology that makes it possible to increase the culture period in higher latitudes by reducing water exchange and minimizing heat loss (McAbee et al. 2003; Arnold et al. 2009; Crab et al. 2009; Li et al. 2009). However, culture intensification is necessary in order for this