Integrated brackishwater farming of red seaweed Agarophyton tenuistipitatum and Pacific white leg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in biofloc system: a production and bioremediation way out

An integrated approach for rearing Pacific white leg shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei ) with red seaweed Agarophyton tenuistipitatum was evaluated in an experimental-scale in biofloc system. Accordingly, four treatments were designed and assessed the applicability of seaweed in biofloc-based intensive shrimp rearing system with respect to bioremediation and shrimp growth. Chemical oxygen demand, turbidity, NH 4 -N, NO 2 -N, NO 3 -N, and PO 4 -P was significantly reduced ( P < 0.05) in biofloc-seaweed (B-SW) system compared to control and biofloc monoculture system. After 30 days of the experiment removal of NH 4 -N (93.73%), NO 2 -N (60.04%), NO 3 -N (73.38%), and PO 4 -P (49.06%) in biofloc-seaweed system was found significantly higher than biofloc monoculture system. B-SW could contribute by reducing nitrogen compounds (NH 4 -N, NO 2 -N, and NO 3 -N) and phosphate (PO 4 -P), turbidity and COD in water, and increase final weight of shrimp and survival percentage (5.50 ± 0.207 g and 74.17 ± 2.21%) compared to control (2.25 ± 0.258 g and 42.33 ± 1.45%) and biofloc system (4.13 ± 0.199 g and 53.33 ± 1.67%). SGR of shrimp was significantly increased by 5.31 ± 0.023% day -1 in biofloc-seaweed system compared to biofloc without seaweed (4.35 ± 0.006% day -1 ). Incorporation of seaweed was successful to improve water quality and growth of shrimp in biofloc system.