Algal blooms and crashes in shrimp pond.

Hello everyone:

    Today we will discuss about the occurance of algal blooms and crashes in shrimp pond.

    These are the planktons, they are microscopic and survive by the process of photosynthesis in pond. They use inorganic nutrient and convert them into energy for their growth.

   We all know the limiting nutrients in freshwater and marinewater.

   Nitrogen - Marine water.

   Phosphorus - Freshwater.

The main reason for the algal bloom is increased nutrient concentration in pond water. In shrimp ponds, we apply many nutrient and use high protein feed. There is lot of possibilities in feed wastage and accumulation in bottom.

Nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation in the pond bottom is the main reason for the bloom formation.

If any imbalance between the microbial colonies or improper feed management can lead to increases in nitrogen concentration.

Phosphorus occured mainly by fertilizer application and runoff waters. Because phosphorus is accumulated in the soil. If runoff occurs,it leads to increase in concentration and also improper preparation of pond bottom also leads to increase in phosphorus accumulation in soil and liberate into water and leads to bloom formation.

Some of blue green algae formed in the blooms causes severe effect to the pond. It dominates the other species and high chance for producing toxins in water and affect the shrimp health.

If bloom forms, it prevents the entry of sunlight into the pond bottom. It affects the pH of the water. Heavy blooms can choke the gills of the organism and causes death.

If lined shrimp pond means we can easily manage the nutrient accumulation in the pond bottom. If it is earthern pond means , we must take care about heavy nutrient loading in pond bottom.

Some Farmers taken water from creeks and rivers, at this time we must properly treat the water to prevent the entry of toxic algaes into the pond. We must treated and  filtered with 2-3 nets in inlet pipe. 

Algal crash means sudden death of algae in pond system. Sometimes, We can observe the brownish colour with foams in pond edges. But soon after it moves into the pond bottom. Various reasons for the algal crash, sudden increase in temperature and sudden fluctuations in salinity, nutrient deficiency, absence of sunlight, will leads to crash of an algae. 

                           Death algae

                   Moves to pond bottom

            Need high energy for disintegration 

        Increased oxygen consumption ( by bottom               bacteria to disintegrate the death algaes)

               It affects the pH of the water.

So, many harmful effects behind the algae death. 

Treatment: 

  First don't use any chemicals. Manual removal  is the best method. Control the excess nutrients accumulation in the pond bottom. Increase beneficial microbial colonies. Use soil probiotics at the time of algal crash. If it possible means, partially exchange the pond water. Algal crash also leads to some turbid condition in water. Many persons uses fishes such as tilapia to control the organic matter present in pond bottom. 

These are the various problems and reason for algal bloom and crash in pond water.

I will post lot of informations about shrimp farming. if you want any specific topic means you can comment. Shrimp farming is growing sector. I hope the posts will gives you some little ideas. Share to your friends those who are interested in aquaculture. Thank you 😊.