Integrated aquaculture of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) with snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii) for increased production and nutrient recycling

Abstract

The potential for integration of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) and snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii) culture was assessed in two experiments. Experiment 1 examined the effect of varying pompano:sandfish stocking density ratios (1:0.5, 1:1, 1:1.5 and pompano monoculture control) on growth, survival and sediment quality (measured by Total Organic Matter: TOM and Sediment Total Nitrogen: STN content) over 75 days. Experiment 2 applied the best density (1:1) determined from Experiment 1 to commercial-scale co-culture in 2 × 500 m2 earthen ponds over 8 months. Mean pompano weight gain during Experiment 1 was 11.9% higher on average in co-culture across all treatments (70.5 ± 5.2 g cf. control: 59.7 ± 4.8 g), while sandfish performed better (11.6% increase) at density ratios of 1:0.5 and 1:1. Survival remained high (>91%) in all treatments. Absolute growth rates were 14.9% higher in co-culture for pompano, whereas fastest sandfish growth occurred at density ratios of 1:0.5 and 1:1 (10.3% and 11.2% higher cf. control, respectively). Sediment TOM and STN content reduced with increasing sandfish density (TOM: 55.6–46.1% and STN:62.3–34.5% lower cf. control). During Experiment 2 pompano and sandfish reached 494.5 ± 1.8 g and 393.0 ± 20.9 g, respectively; over 8 months from initial sizes of 2.53 ± 0.02 g and 5.49 ± 0.05 g. Specific growth rates averaged 2.20 ± 0.02 and 1.75 ± 0.03%/day. Sediment TOM and STN increased over the culture period. Results demonstrate high feasibility for co-culture of these species with improved pond sediment quality.

Keywords

• Sea cucumber
• Snubnose pompano
• Co-culture
• Productivity
• Vietnam