Growth dynamics and productivity of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in polyculture under different stocking densities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47193/mafis.3932026010701Keywords:
Shrimp culture, growth performance, feed conversion ratioAbstract
Stocking density is a critical factor influencing growth performance, survival, and production efficiency in Pacific white shrimp culture. In traditional shrimp polyculture systems, increasing stocking density is commonly applied to enhance production; however, excessive density often leads to reduced growth performance, lower survival, and inefficient feed utilization due to intensified biological competition and system carrying capacity limitations. This study therefore evaluated the effect of stocking density on the growth performance, survival, and feed utilization of Litopenaeus vannamei cultured in a traditional polyculture pond system. The experiment was conducted using three stocking densities (10, 20, and 30 ind. m-2) with three replications over an eight-week culture period. The polyculture system involved co-culturing shrimp with milkfish (Chanos chanos), which contributes to nutrient cycling and improves ecological balance within the pond environment. Results showed that shrimp reared at 10 ind. m-2 exhibited the best performance in terms of growth, survival, and feed efficiency, while higher densities resulted in reduced performance. The lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed at the lowest density, indicating efficient feed utilization within the optimal range for L. vannamei, whereas higher densities led to a substantial increase in FCR, reflecting reduced efficiency. Water quality parameters remained within suitable ranges and did not differ significantly among treatments. These findings suggest that stocking density primarily influences shrimp performance through biological interactions rather than environmental changes. Optimizing stocking density is therefore essential to achieve sustainable and efficient production in traditional shrimp polyculture systems.
Downloads
References
[APHA] American Public Health Association. 2017. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 23rd ed. Washington: APHA.
Bajracharya S, Roy LA, García JC, Davis DA. 2025. Stocking density and growth of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in intensive recirculating (indoor biofloc and outdoor mixotrophic) systems. N Am J Aquacult. 87 (1): 28-36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/naaqua/vrae004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/naaqua/vrae004
Bosman O, Soesilo TEB, Rahardjo S. 2021. Pollution index and economic value of vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming in Indonesia. Indones Aquac J. 16 (1): 51-60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15578/IAJ.16.1.2021.51-60 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15578/iaj.16.1.2021.51-60
Bull EG, Cunha CLN, Scudelari AC. 2021. Water quality impact from shrimp farming effluents in a tropical estuary. Water Sci Technol. 83 (1): 123-136. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2020.559 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2020.559
Chaikaew P, Rugkarn N, Pongpipatwattana V, Kanokkantapong V. 2019. Enhancing ecological-economic efficiency of intensive shrimp farm through in-out nutrient budget and feed conversion ratio. Sustain Environ Res. 29: 28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42834-019-0029-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42834-019-0029-0
Chapman EJ, Byron CJ. 2018. The flexible application of carrying capacity in ecology. Glob Ecol Conserv. 13: e00365. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2017.e00365 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2017.e00365
Chen H, Sun D, Liu W, Li S, Tan H. 2023. Stocking density effects on Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei hatchery performance in algal-bacterial biofloc systems. N Am J Aquacult. 85 (1): 3-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/naaq.10264 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/naaq.10264
El Saadony MT, Shehata AM, Alagawany M, Abdel Moneim AE, Selim DA, Abdo M, Khafaga AF, El Tarabily KA, El Shall NA, Abd El Hack ME. 2022. A review of shrimp aquaculture and factors affecting the gut microbiome. Aquacult Int. 30 (6): 2847-2869. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-022-00936-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-022-00936-1
Emerenciano MGC, Rombenso AN, Vieira FDN, Martins MA, Coman GJ, Truong HH, Noble TH, Simon CJ. 2022. Intensification of penaeid shrimp culture: an applied review of advances in production systems, nutrition and breeding. Animals. 12 (3): 236. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030236 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030236
Ferrando Juan S, Gómez Aguilera J, Martínez Llorens S, Tomás Vidal A, Rodilla M, Jover Cerdá M, Moyano FJ, Peñaranda DS. 2026. Optimization of protein requirements and feed restriction in Penaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) biofloc culture. Aquacult Int. 34: 65. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-025-02414-w DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-025-02414-w
He J, He L, Lin Z. 2025. Effects of stocking density on phytoplankton community and water quality in polyculture ponds of Tegillarca granosa and Litopenaeus vannamei. Fishes. 10 (5): 222. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10050222 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10050222
Hossain MI, Shahabuddin AM, Bhuyain MAB, Mannan MA, Khan ND, Ahmed R. 2013. Scaling up of stocking density of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) under improved farming system in Khulna region of Bangladesh. J Exp Agric Int. 3 (4): 839-848. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/AJEA/2013/4609 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/AJEA/2013/4609
Hudi L, Nurika I, Hidayat N, Yuniarti A. 2025. Optimization of the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) culture through stocking density, probiotic, and proportion of Gracilaria verrucosa. Egyptian J Aquat Biol Fish. 29 (2): 563-578. DOI: http://www.ejabf.journals.ekb.eg DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/ejabf.2025.416920
Irani M, Rajabi Islami H, Nafisi Bahabadi M, Hosseini Shekarabi SP. 2023. Production of Pacific white shrimp under different stocking density in a zero-water exchange biofloc system: effects on water quality, zootechnical performance, and body composition. Aquacult Eng. 100: 102313. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2022.102313 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2022.102313
Kumar M, Chadha NK, Prakash S, Pavan-Kumar A, Harikrishna V, Gireesh-Babu P, Krishna G. 2024. Salinity, stocking density, and their interactive effects on growth performance and physiological parameters of white-leg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931), reared in inland ground saline water. Aquacult Int. 32 (1): 675-690. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-023-01181-w DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-023-01181-w
Liu G, Zhu S, Liu D, Guo X, Ye Z. 2017. Effects of stocking density of the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) on immunities, antioxidant status, and resistance against Vibrio harveyi in a biofloc system. Fish Shellfish Immunol. 67: 19-26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016j.fsi.2017.05.038 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2017.05.038
Martínez-Córdova LR, Pasten-Miranda N, Barraza-Guardado R. 1998. Effect of fertilization on growth, survival, food conversion ratio, and production of Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei in earthen ponds in Sonora, Mexico. Progr Fish-Cult. 60 (2): 101-108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8640(1998)060%3C0101:EOFOGS%3E2.0.CO;2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8640(1998)060<0101:EOFOGS>2.0.CO;2
Melo Filho MES, Owatari MS, Mouriño JLP, Carciofi BAM, Soares HM. 2020. Empirical modeling of feed conversion in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) growth. Ecol Model. 437: 109291. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2020.109291 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2020.109291
Montgomery DC. 2019. Design and analysis of experiments. 9th ed. New York: Wiley.
Muenzel D, Anggoro AW, Bulan DE, Yadi Y, Nurfadilah N, Pratama R, Ilman M, Basir B, Nirwan M, Adriano V, et al. 2025. Optimising site selection for ecosystem approaches to shrimp aquaculture in mangrove systems. Aquacult Int. 33: 632. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-025-02338-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-025-02338-5
Murthada H, Dwiyanti S. 2025. Water quality management in enlargement Vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in PT. Bumi Harapan Jaya, Poto Tano, Sumbawa Barat. Indonesian Journal of Aquaculture Medium. 5 (4): 198-207. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29303/wt4wmd18 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29303/wt4wmd18
Mustafa A, Syah R, Paena M, Sugama K, Kontara EK, Muliawan I, Suwoyo HS, Asaad AIJ, Asaf R, Ratnawati E, et al. 2023. Strategy for developing whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) culture using intensive/super-intensive technology in Indonesia. Sustainability. 15 (3): 1753. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su15031753 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su15031753
Pazmiño ML, Chico Santamarta L, Boero A, Ramirez AD. 2025. Environmental life cycle assessment and potential improvement measures in the shrimp and prawn aquaculture sector: a literature review. Aquacult Fish. 10 (2): 183-201. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aaf.2024.06.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aaf.2024.06.003
Ritonga LBR. 2025. Growth and survival performance of vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in intensive system. J Aquac Dev Environ. 8 (2): 24-32. DOI: https://journal.untidar.ac.id/index.php/jade/article/view/2691
Said MM, Abo-Al-Ela HG, El-Barbary YA, Ahmed OM, Dighiesh HS. 2024. Influence of stocking density on the growth, immune and physiological responses, and cultivation environment of white-leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in biofloc systems. Scientific Reports. 14: 11147. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61328-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61328-4
Shilman MI, Purnamawati P, Susanti R, Redha AR. 2025. Pond water quality performance towards growth condition of vanname shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Jurnal Akuatiklestari. 9 (1): 125-135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31629/akuatiklestari.v9i1.7702 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31629/akuatiklestari.v9i1.7702
Valentine RY, Hariyadi DR, Tangguda S. 2025. Growth performance of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) at different stocking densities in a polyculture system with sea grape (Caulerpa sp.). Jurnal Riset Akuakultur. 20 (1): 49-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15578/jra.20.1.2025.49-62 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15578/jra.20.1.2025.49-62
Vettor R, Di Vincenzo A, Maffei P. 2020. Regulation of energy intake and mechanisms of metabolic adaptation or maladaptation after caloric restriction. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 21 (3): 399-409. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-020-09565-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-020-09565-6
Widiasa IN, Sunaryo S, Yudiati E, Susanto H, Putra GD, Khoiruddin K, Wenten IG. 2025. Pond water dynamics and cultivation performance of super intensive whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming in membrane based recirculating aquaculture system. Aquacult Fish. 10: 45-55. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aaf.2025.11.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aaf.2025.11.013
Wiyoto W, Sukenda S, Harris E, Nirmala K, Djokosetiyanto D. 2016. Water quality and sediment profile in shrimp culture with different sediment redox potential and stocking densities under laboratory condition. Indones J Mar Sci. 21 (2): 65-76. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/ik.ijms.21.2.65 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/ik.ijms.21.2.65-76
Xu W. 2025. Sustainable innovations in shrimp aquaculture: current advances and future horizons. Fishes. 10 (10): 498. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10100498 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10100498
Xu W, Xu Y, Su H, Hu X, Xu Y, Li Z, Wen G, Cao Y. 2020. Effects of feeding frequency on growth, feed utilization, digestive enzyme activity and body composition of Litopenaeus vannamei in biofloc based zero exchange intensive systems. Aquaculture. 522: 735079. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735079 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735079
Xu W, Zhang B, Zhao Y, Cao Y. 2025. Effect of stocking density on water quality, harmful nitrogen control, and production performance of Penaeus vannamei in biofloc-based systems with limited water exchange. Fishes. 10 (7): 326. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10070326 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10070326
Zar JH. 2010. Biostatistical Analysis. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education.
Zhang Y, Zhuo H, Fu S, Liu J. 2024. Growth performance and growth model fitting of Litopenaeus vannamei cultured in pond and factory modes. Aquacult Rep. 39: 102483. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2024.102483 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2024.102483
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Andi Rahmad Rahim, Dwi Retnaningtyas Utami, Rosmarlinasiah
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors of articles published in Marine and Fishery Sciences retain copyright on their articles, except for any third-party images and other materials added by Marine and Fishery Sciences, which are subject to copyright of their respective owners. Authors are therefore free to disseminate and re-publish their articles, subject to any requirements of third-party copyright owners and subject to the original publication being fully cited. Visitors may also download and forward articles subject to the citation requirements. The ability to copy, download, forward or otherwise distribute any materials is always subject to any copyright notices displayed. Copyright notices must be displayed prominently and may not be obliterated, deleted or hidden, totally or partially.
This journal offers authors an Open Access policy. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles, or use them for any other legal purpose within the Creative Commons 4.0 license (BY-NC-SA), without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This is in accordance with the BOAI definition of Open Access.
