IMPACT OF THE CO-CULTIVATION OF MACROALGAE (ULVA LACTUCA F. FASCIATA) ON THE COMPOSITION OF BIOFLOC IN A ZERO WATER EXCHANGE SYSTEM USED FOR REARING PACIFIC WHITE SHRIMP (LITOPENAEUS VANNAMEI) (DECAPODA, DENDROBRANCHIATA)

In a closed, or zero water exchange, greenhouse aquaculture system, this study examined the interaction between the aggregation flocs in the mono- and co -cultivation of Pasific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (300 individuals/m(3)) with macroalgae, Ulva lactuca f. fasciata at different densities of Ulva (1, 2 and 3 g/l). The investigation was conducted under zero water exchange conditions. The accumulated flocs were compared between the various treatment groups: without Ulva (Treatment Control Group), Ulva at 1 g/l density (T1: Treatment 1), Ulva at 2 g/l (T2: Treatment 2), and Ulva at 3 g/l (T3: Treatment 3). Ultimately, it was determined that Ulva cultivation using the Biofloc system actually helped to ensure the water quality in the zero water exchange culture system during the 35 -day experimental period with reduced cyanophyte densities, that can cause toxic algal blooms in aquaculture systems. This was interpreted to result from the fact that Ulva is a naturally occurring bioremediation agent.