Growth of the Macroalgae Ulva lactuca Cultivated at Different Depths in a Biofloc Integrated System with Shrimp and Fish

Abstract

The constant production of solids in intensive shrimp and tilapia culture can affect the performance of macroalgae when cultivated in an integrated system, and little is known about culture structures that enhance the performance of macroalgae in biofloc systems. The objective of this work was to evaluate different depths of culture structure for the macroalgae Ulva lactuca in an integrated system with Litopenaeus vannamei and Oreochromis niloticus in a biofloc system. The experiment lasted 70 days, with six systems composed of: a 16 m3 shrimp tank, a 3 m3 tilapia tank, and a 3 m3 macroalgae tank, with water recirculation between tanks. Two treatments were carried out, shallow float, with a structural depth of 10 cm, and bottom float, where the depth was kept at 30 cm from the surface. The shallow float resulted in a growth rate of up to 0.95 ± 0.54% day−1, with biomass loss only at the end of the culture due to the high density of macroalgae, decreasing temperature, and increasing solids concentration. The bottom float had biomass loss throughout the culture cycle. The integrated culture of shrimp, fish, and macroalgae is feasible with the use of shallow floats within 10 cm from the surface.