Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research

Litopenaeus vannamei is one of the most economically important aquaculture species globally. However, intensified farming practices have raised concerns over feed efficiency and environmental sustainability. Biofloc technology, which utilizes microbial fermentation to enhance water quality and provide supplementary nutrition, has shown promising results. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different fermentation durations using Yakult-based probiotics on the biological performance of L. vannamei cultured in a biofloc system. The experiment was conducted for 60 days using a completely randomized design consisting of three treatments (3-day fermentation, 7-day fermentation, and control) with three replicates each. Key performance indicators, including absolute growth, survival rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed efficiency, biofloc volume, and water quality parameters, were evaluated. Results revealed that the 7-day fermentation treatment produced significantly higher growth (1.64 g), a higher survival rate (82.9%), and greater feed efficiency, as well as a larger biofloc volume (35 ml/L), compared to the 3-day treatment and control. The control group without biofloc demonstrated the lowest performance. These findings suggest that a 7-day Yakult-based probiotic fermentation enhances the functionality of the biofloc system, thereby improving shrimp performance and reducing environmental waste. This approach offers a viable strategy for advancing sustainable aquaculture practices.