The relationships between water quality parameters and the growth rate of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in intensive ponds

The purpose of this study was to determine some relationships between dissolved oxygen fluctuations and water quality parameters, and their effects on shrimp growth rates during intensive aquaculture cycles, using the concept of an ex-pose facto causal design or observation based on natural conditions in the field. In addition, the objects of the investigation were 8 intensive ponds withe the size of 3200 m², with a density of 110 fry/m², using paddle-aerators of 16 HP/pond. The variables observed were the dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, salinity, measured twice a day (morning and afternoon), and the parameters CO3^2-, HCO3^-, alkalinity, total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), PO4^-, total organic matter (TOM), NO2^-, total Vibrio content (TVC), total bacteria count (TBC) and plankton abundance, measured once a week. To find out the multi-parameter relationship and its effect on shrimp growth, the SPSS ver.16 was used. The results showed that the dynamics of dissolved oxygen fluctuations in water have a negative correlation with temperature, phosphate, nitrite, TAN, TOM, TVC and total bacteria during the operational cycle of shrimp culture. From the water quality parameters that have a close correlation, the dissolved oxygen, nitrite, TOM, and total vibrio (TVC) are parameters that have dynamic fluctuations during the shrimp culture. Nitrite is the parameter of water quality that has the highest influence on the growth rate of shrimp, by 75.2%, compared with dissolved oxygen, TOM, and total vibrio (TVC).