Growing shrimp with extractive species is gaining momentum as an effort to reduce effluent waste in shrimp aquaculture. We examined the temporal shifts of the microbial communities in a 4-week trial comparing white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and red seaweed (Gracilaria vermiculophylla) grown with oysters (Crassostrea virginica), and without oysters with either aeration or as settling tanks.
Oysters had a significant impact on maintaining low nitrogen levels in the system over time compared to treatments with no oysters (p < 0.032). Differences in microbial shifts were tracked over time and between treatments, focusing on those involved in nitrogen metabolism (nitrification/denitrification) and Vibrionaceae populations as microbes that may act as pathogens in aquaculture practices. We found that differences in community composition were primarily driven by sampling day rather than treatment type. Observed temporal dynamics of microbial communities showed both decreases and increases of individual taxa, particularly regarding nitrogen cycling and Vibrio populations.
These findings emphasize the importance of system age and treatment conditions in influencing aquaculture ecosystem functions. Our results suggest that systems with oysters and aeration are more capable of supporting diverse and active microbial communities that contribute to nutrient cycling and pathogen control, offering insights into how management strategies can optimize system performance in aquaculture.