Can use of substrates affect water quality in aquatic organism culture

The choice of suitable substrates has received special attention in aquaculture and fishkeeping ventures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different substrates on water quality and the development of lambari fish (Astyanax bimaculatus) and freshwater shrimp (Macrobrachium potiuna). Two experiments were performed sequentially, one with fish and the other with shrimp. In both experiments, three different substrates were evaluated (shell gravel, river gravel, and dolomite), and the control was without any substrate. The water parameters evaluated were as follows: dissolved oxygen, saturation, oxide-reduction potential, temperature, pH, alkalinity, conductivity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphorus. It was observed that both dolomite and shell gravel interfered with the parameters that are related to the acid-base balance of the water and the availability of calcium and magnesium. The productive performance of lambari fish was not affected considering the different substrates evaluated; however, the productive performance of freshwater shrimp was lower in the absence of substrates in relation to the other treatments.