Biofloc-based Vannamei Experiences in India

What We Started, How Are We Doing & Where Are We Going?

Anil Ghanekar

www.ecosecuresystems.com

THE BEGINNINGWater Exchange- The Only Technology

• Water-exchange to control water quality

• Traditional tidal fed ponds

• Shrimp aquaculture’s happy beginning

High tide

Low Tide

Pond

WATER EXCHANGE has PROBLEMS with

Biosecurity, Environment & Profitability

• Entry of water borne infections – WSSV

• Environmental issues- CAA was formed

• Water treatment of both raw water and waste water is

expensive

How to reduce water exchange?

• ALGAE = Sunlight + Nitrogen

Reduced water exchange

• R.A.S. = Autotrophic Bacteria + Nitrogen

Exchange through filters

• Biofloc = Heterotrophic Bacteria + N + Carbon

Zero exchange

Comparative Setup Costs Between Autotrophic & Heterotrophic Systems

Bio-filtrationHigh Cost

Biofloc Low Cost

2004 onwards 2007 onwards

Comparative FCRs of RAS And Biofloc Nursery Systems

Results with RAS nursery system (2004-2005)

Results with Biofloc Nursery systems (2007)

Species Density/m3 Animal wt in mg. FCR range

P. monodon 10,000 15 to 250 1.7 to 2.4

F. indicus 18,000 15 to 250 1.4 to 1.8

TANK A B C

Species F. indicus F. indicus P. monodon

density/m3 18000 12000 11000

% Survival 83% 73% 91%

FCR 0.68 0.89 1.25

Harvest weight (mg)/shrimp

0.225mg 0.225mg 0.125mg

(Published in GAA May 2009)

Why Biofloc?

• Low Or Zero Exchange

• Better Biosecurity

• Lower FCR

• Better Immunity

• Higher Density

Biofloc Nursery

• 100 m3 circular tanks

• Farm starter feed

• No venturi or air lifts

• Only aerotube based aeration of 1 Hp/tank

• Max stocking density of 10,000/m3

Results With L. Vannamei Juveniles Reared In Low Salinity Biofloc Nurseries & Farms (2012-13)

Batch A B C

Days in Nursery 21 25 24

Juvenile weight 240 mg 320 mg 350 mg

Days in Farm 66 63 60

Average weight at Harvest

22 g 18 g 20 g

Max 10,000 juveniles/m3 6 hours 95%+ survival Compensatory growth

DOC 1 DOC 30 DOC 60 DOC 900

5

10

15

20

25

30 Day old Biofloc Nursery Juveniles

Direct stocking with PL 10

Day Of Culture (DOC) at the Farm

A B

W in

Gra

ms

30 Days

Biofloc Nursery Reared Juveniles Show Compensatory Growth In The Farm

Biofloc Growout Trials

• 1000 m2 Lined Ponds

• Central Drain

• Aerotube Aeration

• Biomass Of 3kg /m3

• 40 Count In 80 Days

• 0.3gm Stunted Juveniles Stocked

Biofloc Nursery A Potent Link

• Longer Testing Window

• Better Immunity

• 3 Crops Instead Of 2 Crops A Year

• Larger Animals

• Higher Farm Survival

• Productivity 150%

Hatchery

150% + PL requirement

Biofloc Nursery

3-5 weeksFarm

150% production

Hitide Farms

• 3 Years

• 5 Crops

• Excellent For Zero Exchange

• Sludge removal is very critical

Biofloc at Research Institutions

• C.I.B.A.

• Dr. Krishnani from National Institute of

Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati

• Dr. Kurup and students - Kerala University of

Fisheries and Ocean Studies.

FUTURE

Less Area

Less Water

Less Workers

Less Power

Totally Biosecure

Predictable Production

Weekly/Daily Supply

Future Solutions

Less Area

Less Water

Less Workers

Less Power

Totally Biosecure

Predictable Production

Weekly/Daily Supply

High Density

Zero Exchange

Automation

Efficient Technology

Zero Exchange

High Survival

More Ponds

Future Research & Development

• Pure Biofloc Nurseries And Farms

• Low Density Biofloc With Mixed Systems

• Genetics

• Specialized Feeds

• Molecular Biology

• Different Species

• Both Biofloc and Vannamei are here to stay

Thank You

www.ecosecuresystems.com