Integrated culture of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and mullet Mugil liza on biofloc technology: Zootechnical performance, sludge generation, and Vibrio spp. reduction

Abstract We grew mullet Mugil liza and white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in two different culture ways, a monoculture and an integrated culture for 41 days. They are (1) shrimp monoculture (SM), (2) mullet monoculture (MM), (3) integrated culture of mullet and shrimp in a same tank (SMI), and (4) integrated culture of mullet and shrimp in two separated tanks (SMIS). The experimet units were composed of a matrix tank (800 L) and a recirculation tank (90 L). After 41 days, no significant difference in shrimp final weight (1.43 ± 0.05 g) was observed among MM, SMI, and SMIS groups. The yield of shrimp in SM was higher than that of shrimp in SMI and SMIS. Growth of mullet in SMI and SMIS significantly reduced the zootechnical performance of shrimp. A reduction of sludge production in water indicated biofloc consumption by fish in SMI and SMIS. Mullet could reduce population of Vibrio spp. in SMI and SMIS. In conclusion, integrated culture of mullet and shrimp could be placed in a same tank, with no need to use additional tank.