Plankton are microscopic aquatic organisms that float passively. Since plankton are unable to swim against the current, the ebb and flow of water has a significant impact on their movement.
Although being at the bottom of the food chain, plankton have many benefits for the surrounding environment and living things. They produce oxygen, serve as natural food for other aquatic animals, and absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Based on the type, plankton is categorized into phytoplankton and zooplankton. Here is the brief explanation of each type:
Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton or microalgae are autotrophic plankton that can produce oxygen and food for themselves. Green algae and diatoms are both the beneficial kinds of phytoplankton.
Zooplankton
Zooplankton are plankton that are actually classified as animals. This plankton is a crucial food source for aquatic animals, including shrimp, during their early stages of development.
The Image of Plankton
Source: SAIC via The Fish Site
Characteristics of Plankton
Plankton have several morphological and behavioral characteristics, including
- Microscopic in size, ranging around < 0.06 mm to > 1 mm
- Moving passively or simply floating in the water
- Sensitive to changes in the environment
- Particularly phytoplankton, capable of photosynthesis
The Habitat of Plankton
Plankton live and grow in water, both marine and freshwater. Here are few examples of where they live:
- Ocean
- Lake
- Pond
- Reservoir
- River
Plankton in Shrimp Ponds
Plankton in shrimp ponds provide benefits that are more or less similar to their benefits in general. These microorganisms are crucial food sources for shrimp in their early stages of development and can be an indicator of water quality conditions.
It is related to primary productivity, which refers to the total organic material from the photosynthesis process of autotrophic organisms, specifically phytoplankton. The higher the level of productivity, the better the water quality.
Shrimp cultivation can also be run with a plankton system, which means that the cultivation receives input from the environment in the form of plankton as a natural shrimp food source. In this system, the water in the pond is given nutrients, allowing plankton to grow more quickly.
Conclusion
Plankton are microscopic organisms that live in water and move by floating on it. These organisms can be found in oceans, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and rivers. Plankton in shrimp ponds serve as both a natural food source and an indicator of water quality.
The plankton population in shrimp ponds should be monitored on a regular basis. To facilitate monitoring, you can use JALA App, the shrimp farm management application from JALA.
JALA App helps you to record and monitor more than 40 crucial parameters in shrimp farming. You can also analyze its performance through visual charts that are easy to understand. Try it today at app.jala.tech and download the mobile version from Google Play Store or App Store.
References Nurmalitasari, M. Sudarsono. (2023). Keanekaragaman Plankton dan Tingkat Produktivitas Primer antara Dua Musim di Perairan Kabupaten Bantul. Jurnal Kingdom: The Journal of Biological Studies, 9(1), 16-34.
