The nursery pond or two step system is a shrimp farming system that uses a transition pond between the hatchery and the grow-out pond. The technical and management aspects of this farming method require more attention to assure its success and effectiveness.
What are the tips for implementing a nursery pond system in shrimp farming to increase its chance of success? Read further in the discussion below.
Tips for Implementing a Nursery Pond System
Here are seven (7) tips to help you implement the nursery pond system in your shrimp farm:
1. Choose High Quality Fry
High quality shrimp fry is the starting point for success in shrimp farming. Choosing healthy fry can help shrimp survive and prevent sickness. As a result, dependence on medications and pesticides can be lowered, making farming more efficient.
Ensure that the chosen shrimp fry come from a reputable hatchery and are of high quality, such as having consistent size and disease resistance. After the fry are placed in the nursery pond, start the fry acclimatization process. Allow enough adaptation time for the fry to adjust to their new surroundings without stress.
Read more: The Strategy to Choose the Right Shrimp Fry
2. Choose the Right Location for the Nursery Pond
Currently, there are several kinds of nursery pond construction, including conical, waring, and round systems. The nursery pond is typically smaller than the grow-out pond, with the area between 0.5 to 1 hectare. This allows for better regulation of water quality, feed, and sanitation.
It is recommended to find a pond location that is away from sources of pollution and external disturbances, has a clean water supply of consistent quality, and is easy to manage. Ensure that the location has adequate electricity access to enable the operation of aerators, pumps, and other equipment.
3. Conduct Strict Water Quality Control
Maintaining water quality is crucial considering that shrimp fry are still susceptible to changes in environmental conditions. Therefore, good water quality management is very important during the care period in the nursery pond.
Ensure that the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the nursery pond are always optimal, which is not less than 4 ppm. Likewise with pH (7.8-8.5), salinity (15-30 ppt), and temperature (28-32°C). Control regularly to maintain optimal environmental conditions for the growth of the fry.
You can also utilize a filtration system to avoid the accumulation of organic matter that may cause the growth of pathogens, such as Vibrio. A good filtration system, such as a biofilter, can reduce ammonia, nitrite, and organic matter in the water.
4. Perform Efficient Feed Management
Efficient feed management is important to optimize shrimp fry growth, reduce feed waste, and maintain water quality. This is because shrimp fry in the nursery pond are still sensitive to water quality changes, causing the built-up feed to increase the organic matter concentration and damage water quality.
Here are some things to consider when performing feed management:
- Determining the proper amount of feed. Shrimp fry require high-quality feed during this period. To ensure optimal fry growth, use feed with an adequate nutritional composition.
- Feeding frequency. Feeding should be done multiple times per day in controlled portions. Make sure no feed is wasted to avoid the build-up of organic materials in the water.
- Measurable and evenly distributed feeding. Feed must be distributed evenly across the pond to ensure that all shrimp fry have adequate access to food.
5. Perform Proper Disease Control
Shrimp fry raised in the nursery pond are highly susceptible to disease infections, particularly during their initial phase of life. Poor water quality, stress caused by the unstable environment conditions, and pathogen contamination may worsen shrimp fry’s health and hinder their growth.
Steps for controlling shrimp diseases in nursery ponds include:
- Changing the water. The nursery pond should always be free of contaminants. Conduct routine sanitation to ensure that the water discharged into the pond is pathogen-free.
- Monitoring shrimp fry’s health. Make regular observations on the fry's condition. If there are ill or infected fry, separate them right away to prevent disease transmission.
- Controlling water quality. Ensure that the water quality remains stable and the parameters do not decline drastically. Rapid changes may cause stress to the fry.
6. Adjust the Rearing Period
The rearing period of shrimp fry in the nursery pond typically ranges between 15 to 40 days. A shorter time may lead to suboptimal growth. After the rearing period in the nursery pond is over, ensure that the shrimp transferred to the grow-out pond are of uniform size and ready to be grown.
To avoid stress, shrimp should be transferred carefully. Use a clean, well-aerated container to carry shrimp from the nursery pond to the grow-out pond. Choose the proper transfer time, such as in the morning or evening, when the temperature is more stable and oxygen levels are higher.
7. Evaluate Nursery Pond Performance
Conduct regular evaluation of the nursery pond performance, including shrimp health, growth, and resources utilization (feed, water, electricity). This way, you will get an overview whether this system is effective.
Conclusion
Shrimp farming with a nursery pond system indeed requires extra attention. However, this does not mean it is impossible to do. To increase its chance of success, you can implement the following steps:
- Choose high quality shrimp fry
- Choose the right location for the nursery pond
- Conduct strict water quality control
- Perform efficient feed management
- Perform proper disease control
- Adjust the rearing period
- Evaluate nursery pond performance
To make it easier for you to evaluate, it is important to record shrimp conditions, pond water quality, and feeding or treatments every day. You can record all of them in JALA App, the convenient shrimp farm management application.
Besides accommodating recording, JALA App also allows you to monitor shrimp farming conditions in real time, anytime and anywhere. JALA App will generate charts based on your records, which you can use for analysis.
Interested in using JALA App? Access through app.jala.tech and download the mobile application from the Google Play Store or App Store.
