Effect of Fertilization on Growth, Survival, Food Conversion Ratio, and Production of Pacific White Shrimp Penaeus vannamei in Earthen Ponds in Sonora, Mexico

A 19-week study was conducted in Bahia Kino, Sonora, Mexico, to evaluate the effects of fertilization on growth, survival, food conversion ratio, and production of Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei in earthen ponds. The contribution of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthos to shrimp food supply was assessed by examining changes in the abundance of these organisms in the ponds, as well as in shrimp gut content. Shrimp growth and biomass were higher in fertilized ponds, despite a lower feeding rate. These results suggest that fertilization enhances natural food and contributes to shrimp nutrition. Biota were more abundant in fertilized ponds. Guts of shrimp from fertilized ponds had significantly higher abundances of zooplankton and benthic organisms than guts of shrimp from unfertilized ponds.