Shrimp Growing Slowly in Ponds? Monitor Water Parameters with Probiotics

Have you ever found vaname shrimp in your pond growing slowly even though feed is sufficient? This problem is often not due to feed, but suboptimal water quality. High ammonia, unstable pH, low oxygen, or fluctuating salinity can inhibit shrimp metabolism and trigger stress, thus hindering growth. Daily monitoring of water parameters is key, and pond probiotics can be an effective solution to maintain pond ecosystem balance. This article technically discusses how water parameters affect shrimp growth and how a probiotic formula containing Bacillus subtilis, Nitrosomonas sp., and Nitrobacter sp. can help farmers overcome slow shrimp growth.

Importance of Daily Water Parameter Monitoring

Water quality is the main foundation of intensive vaname shrimp farming. Parameters such as ammonia (NH3), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and salinity must be monitored daily because drastic changes within hours can trigger stress and suppress shrimp appetite. Here are the impacts of each parameter on growth:

• Ammonia (NH3): Ammonia is toxic even at low concentrations (<0.1 ppm is ideal). At high pH and temperature, NH3 becomes more toxic. Shrimp exposed to ammonia will experience gill damage, reduced feed intake, and slow growth.
• pH: The optimal range for vaname shrimp is 7.5–8.5. pH below 7 or above 9 disrupts ion balance and enzyme activity, causing incomplete molting and stunted growth.
• Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Minimum 4 ppm. Low DO causes hypoxia, lethargic shrimp, and disease susceptibility. At night, plankton and bacterial respiration can drastically lower DO.
• Salinity: Vaname shrimp tolerate salinity of 5–35 ppt, but sudden changes >5 ppt per day trigger excessive osmoregulation that drains energy for growth.

Daily monitoring enables early detection of anomalies. For example, if ammonia starts to rise, farmers can immediately take corrective actions such as adding probiotics or reducing feed. Without monitoring, small problems can develop into mass mortality.

Why Do Shrimp Grow Slowly? Relationship with Water Quality

Slow shrimp growth in ponds is often a symptom of a suboptimal environment. Here are the direct mechanisms:

1. High Ammonia: Disrupts nitrogen excretion through gills, causing ammonia buildup in the blood. Shrimp must expend extra energy for detoxification, reducing energy for growth.
2. Extreme pH: Affects mineral solubility and nutrient availability. At low pH, heavy metal toxicity increases; at high pH, ammonia becomes more toxic.
3. Low Oxygen: Decreases aerobic metabolic rate, making shrimp less active and eating less. FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio) worsens.
4. Unstable Salinity: Disrupts osmotic pressure; shrimp must work hard to maintain ion balance, hindering growth.

Additionally, accumulation of organic matter from leftover feed and feces becomes a source of ammonia. Pathogenic bacteria like Vibrio also thrive in dirty environments, causing infections that worsen the condition. This is why probiotics containing decomposer and nitrifying bacteria become a strategic solution.

Role of Probiotics in Improving Pond Water Quality

Pond probiotics work through several complementary mechanisms. The Formula Probiotik Tambak Udang Vaname from Biosolution contains four superior strains:

• Bacillus subtilis: Acts as an anti-Vibrio and decomposer of organic matter. This bacterium produces protease, amylase, and lipase enzymes that break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats from leftover feed into simple compounds, reducing organic load.
• Bacillus licheniformis: Produces extracellular enzymes that accelerate organic matter degradation. Together with B. subtilis, it effectively suppresses Vibrio populations through competition and antimicrobial compound production.
• Nitrosomonas sp.: Chemoautotrophic bacteria that oxidize ammonia (NH3) into nitrite (NO2-). This is the first step in the nitrogen cycle that converts toxic compounds into less toxic ones.
• Nitrobacter sp.: Oxidizes nitrite into nitrate (NO3-), which is much safer and can be utilized by phytoplankton. Thus, this probiotic keeps ammonia and nitrite levels low.

With routine application every 7–10 days at a dose of 5 L per hectare, this probiotic creates stable water conditions. Data shows a reduction in Vibrio population by up to 40%, ammonia stable below 0.1 ppm, and shrimp survival rate increases by 10–15%. Additionally, water exchange can be reduced by 30% because water quality is naturally maintained.

How to Effectively Monitor Water Parameters

Daily monitoring doesn't have to be complicated. Here is a practical guide:

• Ammonia: Use commercial test kits (e.g., Salifert or API). Measure every morning before the first feeding. If >0.1 ppm, immediately add probiotics and reduce feed by 20%.
• pH: Use a digital pH meter or litmus paper. Measure in the morning and evening. Fluctuations >0.5 per day indicate a problem. If pH is too low (<7), apply liming; if too high (>8.5), add probiotics to increase bacterial activity.
• Dissolved Oxygen: Use a DO meter. Measure in the morning (when DO is lowest) and afternoon. If <4 ppm, activate additional aerators or reduce stocking density.
• Salinity: Use a refractometer. Measure daily, especially after rain or water changes. Changes >3 ppt per day need to be anticipated by adding fresh or seawater.

Record all data in a daily log. With this data, you can see trends and take preventive actions before problems escalate.

Case Study: Probiotic Application in Ponds with Slow Shrimp Growth

As an illustration, a semi-intensive vaname pond in East Java experienced slow shrimp growth with FCR >1.8. Monitoring showed ammonia 0.3 ppm in the morning, pH 7.8, DO 3.5 ppm, salinity 25 ppt. After applying Formula Probiotik Tambak Udang Vaname at a dose of 5 L/ha every 7 days, within 2 weeks ammonia dropped to 0.08 ppm, DO rose to 4.2 ppm, and Vibrio population decreased drastically. Shrimp became active feeders, growth improved, and at harvest SR reached 85% (previously 70%). This case shows that improving water quality with probiotics can effectively overcome slow shrimp growth.

Conclusion

Slow shrimp growth in ponds is often an alarm of poor water quality. Daily monitoring of ammonia, pH, oxygen, and salinity parameters is a mandatory step for early detection. Probiotics like Formula Probiotik Tambak Udang Vaname containing Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Nitrosomonas sp., and Nitrobacter sp. help maintain nitrogen balance, suppress pathogens, and reduce water exchange needs. With routine application, you can increase survival rate by up to 15% and accelerate shrimp growth. If you want to discuss your pond conditions, contact the Biosolution technical team via WhatsApp for a free consultation. See product details Formula Probiotik Tambak Udang Vaname for more information.