Microbial Augmentation on Intensive Grow Out Shrimp Culture to Improve Water Quality, Growth and Shrimp Production

Abstract. The objective of this study is to evaluate the microbial augmentation on intensive shrimp culture to improve water quality, growth, and shrimp productivity. This study was conducted on intensive shrimp grow out ponds of the farmers in Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi. There were four grow out ponds used for study with different pond size. All ponds used zero or minimal water exchange systems. All inputs used in this study such as high quality of commercial feed, seed, intensive aeration with paddle wheels, vitamins and minerals. Treatment with a consortium of flock forming bacteria as a starter each given every week. Shrimp growth ponds used intensive culture system with condition water depth of ponds 120 – 130 cm, feeding rate was four time a day. Water quality parameters measured are salinity, pH, water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO) and turbidity. Survival rate (SR), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and MBW were measured every week. The results of this research showed that shrimp production 1,600 – 5,600 kg. Growth rate: ADG 0.34 – 0.45; survival rate 90 – 97 %; FCR 1.02 – 1.1 and MBW 22.8 – 29.40. Water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, water temperature, water depth, salinity, pH and water transparency were 2.8 – 5.5 mg L-1; 26 – 31oC; 75 – 125 cm; 15 -30 mg L-1; 6.8 – 9.6 and 15 – 30 cm; respectively. In summary, shrimp production increased significantly with microbial augmentation, and water quality parameters were a suitable conditio