Influence of Total Suspended Solids on the Growth of the Sea Lettuce Ulva lactuca Integrated with the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in a Biofloc System

Abstract

A biofloc system is rich in nutrients, which favors the cultivation of macroalgae, but the influence of the system on the performance of macroalgae is unknown. The objective of this study was to analyze the feasibility of introducing the macroalgae Ulva lactuca into the culture of Litopenaeus vannamei in a biofloc system. The first experiment evaluated the influence of 400 mg L−1 and 30 mg L−1 solids concentration of the system in biofloc and von Stosch culture medium on macroalgae growth. In the second experiment, the densities of 1, 2, and 3 g L−1 of U. lactuca were cultivated in an integrated system with shrimp and monoculture treatment. Both experiments had 35 days of cultivation. There was no significant difference in macroalgae growth between the treatments with biofloc and von Stosch culture medium. In the integrated culture, the density of 1 g L−1 showed better nutrient absorption. Shrimp performance was not affected by macroalgae cultivation. In conclusion, the solids did not affect the growth of the macroalgae, and it could be cultivated in a biofloc system for nitrate uptake in integrated culture with shrimp.