A Review on Herb Utilization in Vannamei Shrimp Cultivation

Abstract

Aquaculture activities play a crucial role in boosting fishery production. Among the various commodities, Vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) stands out as a leading choice due to its competitive pricing and the ability to conduct mass production with high stocking densities. However, shrimp farming has encountered challenges, particularly the occurrence of diseases that often lead to reduced production levels. These diseases typically arise from the shrimp's weakened condition and suboptimal rearing conditions. To address this issue, incorporating several herbal plants, such as noni fruit, ginger, and garlic, into the feed has emerged as an alternative to enhance shrimp immunity. Through an extensive literature search, optimal doses for these herbal additives were identified. Noni fruit demonstrated the best performance at a 6% dose, resulting in a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.1 and a survival rate of 95%. Garlic performed well at a 5% dose, achieving an FCR of 1 and a survival rate of 98%. Similarly, ginger showed promising results at a 3% dose, with an FCR of 1.18 and a survival rate of 98%. The findings of this study emphasize that incorporating herbs into the feed can serve as a viable solution to enhance productivity in Vannamei shrimp farming.