Effects of Haematococcus pluvialis on the water quality and performance of Litopenaeus vannamei using artificial substrates and water exchange systems

Two kinds of culture systems were constructed, namely, an artificial substrate system (novel sponge biocarrier, SB) and a water exchange system (WE), to evaluate the effects of the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis on the water quality and performance of whiteleg shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei ). The results showed that the average NH 4 + -N concentration with H. pluvialis was lower than those without it. The average concentration of NO 2 − -N and NO 3 − -N in SB system were significantly decreased than those present in WE system, but there was no significant difference in SB system. The growth performance of shrimp with H. pluvialis was superior to that without it. The final average weight and growth rate of shrimp in SB1 and WE1 tanks were differed significantly among that present in SB2 and WE2 tanks ( p