Optimization of the Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Culture through Stocking Density, Probiotic, and Proportion of Gracilaria verrucosa

This study aimed to determine the optimal conditions for cultivating the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) to achieve the desired outcomes, including an average daily growth (ADG) of 0.20-0.25g/day, a feed conversion ratio (FCR) between 1.5 and 2.0, a survival rate (SR) ranging from 75% to 100%, and a feed profit value after 120-150 days of shrimp cultivation. The research employed the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using the Box-Behnken Design (BBD) with three key variables: stocking density, probiotic concentration, and the proportion of Gracilaria verrucosa powder. The findings revealed that the optimal conditions for Litopenaeus vannamei cultivation at 42 days shrimp age were achieved at a stocking density of 95 shrimp/m², a probiotic concentration of 2.34% (v/v), and a Gracilaria verrucosa powder proportion of 15% (w/w). These conditions resulted in an ADG of 0.122g/ day, an SR of 95%, an FCR of 1.13, and a feed profit value of IDR 212.571, with a desirability score of 0.87 on 30 out of 31 generated solutions. The higher the age, the higher the FCR and ADG but the lower the SR. The study highlighted the potential of incorporating functional feed ingredients like Gracilaria verrucosa, this optimized approach to enhance growth performance, feed efficiency, survival, and profitability in Litopenaeus vannamei farming, paving the way for more sustainable industry practices. By integrating appropriate stocking densities with tailored probiotic supplementation and the inclusion of seaweed-derived feed ingredients, this research offers valuable insights into sustainable and economically viable shrimp aquaculture practices. The application of RSM in aquaculture optimization provides a robust framework for addressing complex interactions among variables, leading to precise recommendations for improving production efficiency and profitability.