Evaluation of biofloc technology in pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus duorarum culture: growth performance, water quality, microorganisms profile and proximate analysis of biofloc

In a 210d experiment, the potential of biofloc technology (BFT) was evaluated for Farfantepenaeus duorarum. Water quality parameters, microorganisms profile and proximate analysis of biofloc were also assessed. BFT did not improve the growth performance in F. duorarum when compared to conventional clear-water water exchange system (final weight and survival of 13.3 g and 63.2 %; and 13.9 g and 81.4 %, respectively). Microorganism assessment suggested a higher presence of filamentous cyanobacteria followed by protozoa, nematodes and copepods. Proximate analysis of biofloc showed crude protein and crude lipid means levels of 25 and 0.6 %, respectively, and these values varied during the experiment. F. duorarum seemed to be susceptible to high stocking density and high levels of suspended solids (> 15 mL L-1).