The effects of water quality on growth of the reared pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Abstract

We investigated effects of water quality on growth of the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared in Heleh region of Bushehr in the south of Iran. Physico-chemical parameters such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, pH and clarity were investigated in three 0.5ha shrimp ponds. Nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and total phosphate), magnesium and sulphate as water quality factors were also investigated. Using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), a significant correlation (P<0.05) and inverse relationship were detected between water temperature and salinity with increase in length and weight of the shrimps. The morning pH values had no relationship with length and weight increase in the shrimps (P>0.05) while the afternoon pH values had negative significant correlation with the growth factors (P<0.05). Dissolved oxygen had positive significant correlation with the studied growth factors (P<0.05). Also, the total phosphate had negative significant correlation with length and weight growth of the shrimps (P<0.05) while nitrate had positive significant correlation with those growth factors (P<0.05). No significant correlation was found between the growth factors and other nutrients (P>0.05).