Sustainable shrimp farming using biofloc technology.

Shrimp Farming Revolution: How Smart Feeding Strategies Boost Yields and Protect Our Waters

Soraya Malik in Climate & Environment June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how advanced feeding techniques in shrimp aquaculture, focusing on C/N ratios and biofloc systems, are key to sustainable and profitable farming."

Aquaculture, particularly shrimp farming, faces the ongoing challenge of balancing productivity with environmental responsibility. As global demand for seafood rises, intensive farming practices often lead to water pollution, disease outbreaks, and habitat degradation. But what if we could revolutionize shrimp farming to be both highly productive and environmentally sustainable? Recent research points to innovative feeding strategies as a key solution.

The Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is a cornerstone of the aquaculture industry, cultivated worldwide. Traditional intensive farming methods, however, strain ecosystems through high water exchange and effluent discharge. Biofloc technology (BFT), which creates a natural, self-sustaining ecosystem within the farming tanks, offers a promising alternative. This approach reduces water usage and minimizes waste, but it requires a precise understanding of nutrient management, especially concerning carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios.

This article delves into groundbreaking research exploring the impact of different commercial feeds and C/N ratios on water quality and shrimp performance in biofloc-based systems. By understanding and implementing these advanced feeding strategies, farmers can achieve higher yields, healthier shrimp, and a significantly reduced environmental footprint.

Optimizing Carbon to Nitrogen (C/N) Ratios for Thriving Bioflocs

Sustainable shrimp farming using biofloc technology.

The heart of sustainable shrimp farming lies in maintaining a balanced ecosystem within the biofloc. Bioflocs are complex communities of microorganisms, algae, and organic matter that naturally develop in aquaculture systems. These communities not only purify the water by consuming waste products like ammonia and nitrite but also serve as a supplemental food source for the shrimp. The key to a thriving biofloc is the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio. This ratio determines the balance between heterotrophic bacteria, which consume organic carbon and nitrogen, and autotrophic organisms, which use inorganic carbon.

Research has demonstrated that manipulating the C/N ratio can significantly impact water quality, shrimp growth, and overall system health. When the C/N ratio is optimized, heterotrophic bacteria efficiently convert nitrogenous waste into bacterial biomass, which the shrimp can then consume. This process reduces the accumulation of toxic ammonia and nitrites, creating a healthier environment for the shrimp. To understand this better, a study was conducted to evaluate two different commercial shrimp feeds, one for semi-intensive systems (SI-35) and another for hyper-intensive systems (HI-35), alongside four different C/N ratios (9:1, 12:1, 15:1, and 18:1).

The study's key findings highlighted the importance of C/N ratio optimization:

Enhanced Water Quality: A balanced C/N ratio promotes the efficient conversion of waste, leading to cleaner water.
Improved Shrimp Performance: Optimal C/N ratios support better growth rates and overall health.
Cost-Effective Solutions: Strategic adjustments to C/N ratios can reduce input costs, such as molasses and sodium bicarbonate.

Based on the study, it was found that the best water quality, shrimp performance, and feed conversion rates were achieved with a C/N ratio of 12:1 for both feeds. Analysis of feed and variable costs suggested improved economic benefits when using the less expensive feed, SI-35, under the conditions of the study. Using a C/N ratio of 12:1 can also lead to decreased input costs, mainly due to reduced molasses and NaHCO3 usage.

The Future of Shrimp Farming: Sustainable, Profitable, and Environmentally Conscious

The research clearly demonstrates that optimizing feeding strategies, particularly C/N ratios, is crucial for the future of sustainable shrimp farming. By adopting biofloc technology and carefully managing nutrient inputs, farmers can significantly reduce their environmental impact while improving productivity and profitability. While more research is needed to evaluate the practicality of SI-35 feed and HI-35 feed for Litopenaeus vannamei grow-out in biofloc-based, zero-exchange systems, this study provides a pathway toward a more sustainable and responsible aquaculture industry.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.02.028, Alternate LINK

Title: Effects Of Two Commercial Feeds For Semi-Intensive And Hyper-Intensive Culture And Four C/N Ratios On Water Quality And Performance Of Litopenaeus Vannamei Juveniles At High Density In Biofloc-Based, Zero-Exchange Outdoor Tanks

Subject: Aquatic Science

Journal: Aquaculture

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Wu-Jie Xu, Timothy C. Morris, Tzachi M. Samocha

Published: 2018-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is biofloc technology, and how does it contribute to sustainable shrimp farming?

Biofloc technology (BFT) is a method used in shrimp farming that creates a self-sustaining ecosystem within the farming tanks. It relies on a complex community of microorganisms, algae, and organic matter to purify the water and provide a supplemental food source for the shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Unlike traditional methods, BFT minimizes water usage and waste discharge, making it a more environmentally friendly approach.

Why is the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio important in biofloc systems for shrimp farming?

The carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio is vital because it balances heterotrophic bacteria and autotrophic organisms within the biofloc. Heterotrophic bacteria consume organic carbon and nitrogen, converting nitrogenous waste into bacterial biomass, which the shrimp can consume. Maintaining an optimal C/N ratio, such as 12:1, reduces toxic ammonia and nitrites, improving water quality and shrimp health. If the C/N ratio is off, the biofloc won't thrive, leading to poor water quality and reduced shrimp growth.

In what ways does optimizing feeding strategies, particularly managing carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios, improve shrimp farming?

Optimizing feeding strategies, especially managing carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios, enhances water quality by promoting the efficient conversion of waste. It improves shrimp performance by supporting better growth rates and overall health. Strategic adjustments to C/N ratios can also reduce input costs, mainly the usage of molasses and sodium bicarbonate, leading to more cost-effective shrimp farming operations. For example, a C/N ratio of 12:1 achieved the best results in the study.

What were the key findings of the study that evaluated different commercial feeds and carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios in biofloc-based systems?

The study compared a semi-intensive feed (SI-35) and a hyper-intensive feed (HI-35) with varying carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios (9:1, 12:1, 15:1, and 18:1) to assess their impact on water quality and shrimp performance. The key finding was that a C/N ratio of 12:1 provided the best water quality, shrimp performance, and feed conversion rates for both feeds. Furthermore, using the less expensive SI-35 feed at a 12:1 C/N ratio improved economic benefits under the study's conditions.

What further research is needed to fully understand and implement sustainable feeding strategies in Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp farming using biofloc technology?

While the study demonstrates the benefits of optimizing carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios in biofloc systems with both SI-35 feed and HI-35 feed, further research is needed to evaluate the practicality of using SI-35 feed and HI-35 feed for Litopenaeus vannamei grow-out in biofloc-based, zero-exchange systems. The system of biofloc is important, and this involves assessing long-term sustainability, scalability, and potential impacts on shrimp health and disease resistance under various environmental conditions. This will ensure that these feeding strategies are robust and can be widely adopted by shrimp farmers.