Importance of Plankton in Aquaculture and

The Benefits of EcoPlankt-Aqua

Aquaculture organisms have to obtain all 2. To stabilize pond water quality

their nutritional requirements, except for and to lower the content of toxic
part of the mineral requirements, through compounds.
the food they consume. In nature, most of
the organisms subsist on live food 3. To make use of plankton as a
consisting of plants and animals obtained natural feed.
from the environment, but some do
ingest and possible utilize detritus along 4. To provide shade and to decrease
with associated organisms. The initial cannibalism.
source of food for many larval organisms
is phytoplankton. This is probably 5. To increase and stabilize water
associated with the size of the larvae at temperature.
hatching. After a certain period of time
the larvae of most species can be fed 6. To minimize pathogenic and
exclusively on zooplankton or a unwanted microbial population
combination of plant and animal matter by competing with the available
i.e. plankton. The term ‘plankton’ can be nutrients in the water.
defined chiefly as microscopic drifting or
floating organisms in the sea and fresh So, Phytoplankton plays a significant
waters and may be having feasible role in stabilizing the whole pond
floating devices. The plant components ecosystem and in minimizing the
of all the plankton are the phytoplankton fluctuations of water quality.
and are the primary producers for the
entire aquatic body, whereas the animal A suitable phytoplankton population's
components of the plankton are the enriches the systems with oxygen
zooplankton and are the primary through photosynthesis during day light
consumers. hours and lowers the levels of carbon
dioxide, ammonia, nitrite, hydrogen
Phytoplankton sulfide, methane etc. A healthy
phytoplankton bloom can reduce toxic
Aqua-farmers pay much attention to the substances since phytoplankton can
colour of the pond water. In other words, consume ammonia-nitrogen and tie-up
they place great importance on the heavy metals. It can prevent the
promotion of phytoplankton in pond development of filamentous algae since
water. In nursery and grow-out ponds, phytoplankton can block the light to
they are generally produced as a result of reach the pond bottom. A healthy bloom
biological cycle initiated by mineral also provides proper turbidity and
nutrients in water. Using the sun’s heat subsequently stabilizes shrimp and
and light they transform the inorganic reduces cannibalism. It decreases
matter and carbonic acid in solution into temperature loss in winter and stabilizes
organic matter, in the form of vegetable water temperature.
tissues consisting of a variety of
phytoplankton. The following objectives Phytoplankton also competes for
are associated with the phytoplankton: nutrients with other microbes and lowers
pathogenic bacterial population while
1. To increase dissolved oxygen and increasing the density of food.
to decrease toxic gases like Maintaining a stable watercolor is the
ammonia, nitrite, hydrogen key factor in water quality management.
sulfide, methane, carbon dioxide The color of pond water usually indicates
in pond water. the predominant phytoplankton species.

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A change of watercolor or its intensity The beginning of drastic watercolor can
indicates changes of phytoplankton flora be observed by unusual mass moulting of
and densities. Sometimes the water shrimp or when feed consumption
colour changes suddenly resulting in decreases too suddenly. This is due to the
mass mortality of phytoplankton. It leaching of nutrients from the
usually takes place when the unconsumed feed during moulting or
phytoplankton reaches the peak of its period of ill health and also due to over
reproductive cycle, or the feeding. High organic loading can result
physicochemical environment suddenly in over abundance of nutrients in an
becomes unfavourable to phytoplankton, aquaculture system. Over development of
such as a drastic salinity or temperature phytoplankton from such nutrients can
change or a shortage of nutrients, or result in excess photosynthetic oxygen
through massive grazing of zooplankton. generation in afternoon hours. When
Phytoplankton can approach their peak water becomes supersaturated with
rapidly during warm days in intensive oxygen, shrimp may suffer from gas
culture ponds where nutrients are bubble disease which is indicated in their
abundant. Caution should be taken when floating on the water surface with
plankton is getting dense. bubble-congested gills. Meanwhile, on
overcast days or during evening hours,
Mass mortality of phytoplankton during when phytoplankton change from being
warm days possesses a threat to the oxygen producers to consumer of oxygen
prawn, shrimp and fish survival. High the pond water system often becomes
temperature makes decay of the deficient in oxygen. Therefore, a pond
deposited dead plankton cells quickly with a heavy bloom of phytoplankton has
and it leads to the consumption of wide fluctuations in diurnal pH value and
oxygen and hence depletion of oxygen. dissolved oxygen concentration.
The resulting anaerobic sediment can Conditions of high pH, DO and ammonia
release ammonia and sulphide, which can be found in ponds with dense
stress to the benthic shrimp and prawn, phytoplankton concentration during the
causing the need to build a capability to afternoon.
do rapid water exchange in the
aquaculture farms. When these conditions occur increased
unionized ammonia due to high pH can
Mass mortality of phytoplankton usually be a threat to shrimps/prawns/fishes
proceeds in four stages. First, watercolor health. Low levels of phytoplankton have
intensity increases progressively. The more stable pH and dissolved oxygen
color intensity is homogeneous values, but are unsuitable for
throughout the water column. This aquaculture. This is because
occurs when a few phytoplankton species phytoplankton are also needed to provide
have become dominant in the community a food base and to provide turbidity to
and have started to propagate rapidly. control the light penetration to the pond
Second, clusters of color appear on the bottom where filamentous algae can
water surface. This occurs when some of grow. It is suggested that moderate
the phytoplankton has not yet ruptured. plankton is more desirable than heavy
Third, milky clouds appear in the water production. Phytoplankton density is
column, water becomes sticky and scum usually monitored with the help of secchi
and foam on the water surface when disc reading.
paddlewheels are running. This may
occur when the cell walls of the Phytoplankton species composition and
phytoplankton have ruptured, the cell densities can be manipulated by adjusting
substance and pigment have reached out salinity. Lowering salinity helps the
and the phytoplankton has lost its color. development of green algae
Fourth, water clears up and the communities. Increasing salinity favours
transparency readings dramatically the growth of diatom communities.
increase. The dead phytoplankton is no Species composition can also be changed
longer suspended in the water and either by inoculating phytoplankton from
float up or sink to the bottom. hatcheries who produce mass culture of

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phytoplankton. It can also be changed, by and they grow with less variability of
altering pH, by adding the substances size.
like lime and dolomite. Lime, dolomite
and zeolite can raise pH. Teaseed cake This kind of watercolor is easy to
can lower pH. Increasing water exchange manage. Culture animals in a pond are
rate can lower phytoplankton density susceptible to disease when the green
whereas aeration can improve water water turns too dense with a dark green
quality. color. However, it seldom causes high
mortality.
The types of water colours of aquaculture
ponds and their relationship is given 3. Dark Green or blackish green
below: colour:

1. Golden brown or reddish brown: When the pond water temperature gets
too high, deterioration of pond bottom or
This kind of watercolor has a high organic materials accumulate too fast,
probability of comprising diatoms in the blue-green algae bloom faster than green
pond. It occurs frequently due to lower algae. Blue-green algae such as
temperature, and in saline waters having Oscillatoria, Phormidium and
high organic matter concentration. Microcoleus dominate (accounting for
Transparency is normally between 25 90%). Although the survival rate of
and 35 cm. shrimp in ponds with this colour still
remains high, the growth rate sinks.
The blooming of diatoms causes this
colour. Algae species such as The appearance of shrimp in this
Chaetoceros, Navicula, Nirzschia, watercolor becomes dark green or
Skeleronema, Cyclotella, Synedia, acquires a black colour. Sometimes it is
Achnanthes, Amphora and Euglena are even bad looking having been infested
often found in pond water of this colour, with protozoa and germs. In this
especially the first three species. This environment, shrimp grow slower and
colour is quite difficult to achieve. unevenly with great difference between
large one and small one and a high
Diatoms are abundant in nutrients and degree of skewness of size. Furthermore
are easily digestible. Golden brown color it causes higher percentage of soft-
is usually related to a crop of healthy shelled shrimps and blue-sky coloured
shrimp, with brilliant body color and is shrimps especially in low salinity
an indicator of expected good yield. conditions. It also weakens the shrimp. It
is not a desirable color in semi-intensive
2. Light or Bright Green: culture and should be transformed and
improved through management.
This colour is due to the growth of green
algae, especially Chlorella. In addition, 4. Dark Brown and Sauce-like Colour:
Dunaliella, Plarymonas, Carteria,
Chlamydomonas are also present. In less Poor pond management, such as over-
saline water, Scenedesmus and Euglena feeding or using large amounts of trash
can also be found. Water of this colour is fish, causes a rapid growth of
usually quite stable. In other words, the dinoflagellates and brown algae and
mortality of prawns is low. consequently results in the formation of
this watercolour. Such water conditions
Transparency is usually between 20 and are undesirable and it is recommended to
70 cm. It usually occurs in a new pond, change the pond water partially if this
sandy bottom pond and ponds with less colour arises.
organic sediments. The growth rate of
shrimp/prawn/fish in this environment is It indicates super-eutrophication that is
quite stable, although it is comparatively usually caused by over-feeding,
slower than that in the brownish water deterioration of pond bottom, low water

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exchange rate, high concentration of interferes with shrimp behaviour and can
organic matter and high application of cause damage to shrimps. It is also
trash fish. Transparency of this water is indicative of the die-off of algae or the
about 15 cm. It forms a lot of bubbles deterioration of water quality with
while using aerators. It is not a desirable resulting propagation of bacteria. This
watercolor in pond management because watercolour will need to be well
it usually weakens the shrimp and controlled during culture period.
sometimes causes dropsy and makes the
animal susceptible to gill disease. It 7. Turbid Water:
always produces a poor harvest.
The formation of turbid water may be
The reason for this dark brown colour to due to the suspension of zooplankton,
form is not due to algae, but by the clay particles or detritus. This kind of
pigment and tannic acid, that normally water can be beneficial or harmful,
occurs a high concentration in mangrove depending on the quality and quantity of
area because of acid sulfate soils. the suspended materials.

5. Yellowish Colour: It is formed by clay particles that

originate from the dike and are dissolved
The formation of yellow water is due to by rain or from the river where
the growth of Chrysophyta. In addition, freshwater is sourced. Sometimes, it is
green flagellates may also grow caused by strong wind and the resulting
moderately. In a pond with watercolour disturbing movement of shrimp at the
of this type growth of benthic diatom, bottom. This turbid water can provide
blue-green algae and green algae is some advantages not only to stabilize the
inhibited. This kind of water is very water quality and shrimp habitat, but also
stable in colour, although it is not a provide some nutritional effect since the
desirable one for the shrimp/prawn clay particle can absorb nutrients,
culture. It is usually formed in old fish organic particles and microorganisms to
ponds that have accumulated a high form “clay floccules” which can serve as
organic load over a long period and shrimp natural feed. However if the
through bacterial action. In ponds with original water is clear, unlike the water
water of this colour, growth of that had the colour as discussed earlier,
shrimp/prawn is inhibited and chances of too many clay particles can be negative
high mortality exist. Because all these to the growth of shrimp.
algae/phytoplankton are very small in
size, they cannot be used directly as 8. Clear Water:
natural foods by the shrimp/prawn. The
phytoplankton forms an indirect source This water is transparent. This may be
of food to shrimp/prawn through caused by a lack of nutrients, the
zooplankton as thy consume presence of heavy metal pollutants like
phytoplankton. copper, manganese, iron or acid bottom
clay (pH 5.5 or lower). Under these
6. Foggy White Water: conditions, no organisms can grow
properly. It goes without saying that this
This mainly comprises of zooplankton, kind of water cannot raise a good crop of
clay particles and detritus. It is an ideal shrimp/prawn/fish, because it indicates
environment for growth of fry or juvenile that something is wrong with the soil or
prawns since it provides natural feeds. the water quality. This must be improved
On the other hand, for the adult prawn at the start of shrimp/prawn/fish culture.
there exists a disadvantage of competing It is evident that some types of
with the environment during the culture watercolour are desirable, some are not.
period. In waters of this colour, In order to achieve a particular colour,
zooplankton gather together and give an algal nutrients may be used. It is
appearance of being suspended as a suggested that ammonium salts are good
white spot. Too high a population of for green algae growth, while urea is
zooplankton in the environment good for brown algae (i.e. diatoms).

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When the colour becomes undesirable bottom drain, followed by dolomite
owing to over-blooming, bactericides, (PearlSpar) application, inoculation from
insecticides and algaecides may be used. a neighbouring healthy pond
(transferring pond water from a
Increasing aeration and/or partial healthy/good pond into an un-health
replacement with clean water may also adjacent pond can help to improve the
be helpful in changing water quality. water condition of pond) and then
Feeding greatly influences watercolour fallowed by nutrients (Ecoplankt)
and water quality. Over-feeding should application.
be avoided. The use of too much trash
fish may cause a blooming of flagellates, For semi-intensive farming – keep
which is not desirable. aerators on, to maintain dead algae in
suspension. Later 30-50% water
Transparency exchange is to be done using bottom
drain followed by dolomite application,
There is a high correlation between inoculation and algal nutrient
secchi disc visibility and phytoplankton (Ecoplankt) to correct watercolour.
(watercolour) density. Secchi disc
visibility is the average of the depth at Watercolour, including true colour and
which a disc, a round plate with apparent colour, is a colour appearing
alternating black and white quadrants under the sunshine and is made of
disappears and reappears from view microorganisms, dissolved matters and
when sunlight is intense or moderate. minerals, clay particles, organic particles,
The optimum range for secchi disc pigments and suspended colloids etc.
reading is between 30 and 60 cm to the
juvenile stage and between 25 and 40 cm Generally, microorganisms, comprising
to the sub-adult and final stage. phytoplankton, zooplankton and bacteria
are the major among all that can form the
High secchi disc reading is associated visible colour and the main reason that
with low productivity of the pond and causes the change of water colour is the
low secchi disc reading is associated with variation and fluctuation of
high productivity of the pond. In general, microorganisms, especially the
high productivity ponds are having high phytoplankton. Hence, watercolour is
biomass that increases oxygen usually related to the productivity and the
consumption, which may lead to oxygen nutrient load and is significantly related
depletion. to the production yield. The watercolour
can be used as a means to assess the pond
Secchi Disc Measurements condition by the farmer in the absence of
instrumentation.
Secchi disc is a simple circular plate/disc
with alternate segments painted black Among the major nutrients required by
and white. The plate/disc is mounted at plants are phosphorus and nitrogen.
the end of a rod/stick upon which Nitrogen is removed from water as
distances are marked with zero being at nitrates (NO3 ) by plants and phosphorous
the plate end. To take transparency as PO4 . Animals excrete nitrogenous
measurements a farmer can either stand wastes and nitrogenous compounds are
on walkway platform or at the edge of released during the bacteriological
the dike and lower the secchi disc decomposition of plant and animal
holding the end of the stick slowly into matter.
the water. The depth at which the black
and white segments of the disc disappear They are eventually transformed into
is the secchi disc reading. ammonia, which undergoes nitrification
to nitrate through a nitrite (NO2 ) as result
What to do when an Algal Bloom of the action of aerobic bacteria.
collapse takes place? Phosphorous is an important major
For extensive farming 30-50% water nutrient because it plays a key role in
exchange has to be done. Using pond photosynthesis and intermediary

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metabolism and forms a constituent of EcoPlankt-Aqua a natural bio-organic-
nucleic acid and proteins. Available algal nutrient formulation providing
carbon is also of major importance as its essential and critical Multi Macro and
deficiency is reflected in decreased Micro Minerals in concentrated form
production, the ratio of carbon: nitrogen: fortified with humic substances and
phosphorous required my most species of many beneficial microbial consortium of
phytoplankton is about [Link]. Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria and Phosphorus
Ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, Solubilizing Bacteria for the steady
calcium metaphosphate, calcium nitrate, growth of the plankton community which
ammonium phosphate, muriate of potash, will enable to keep-up with the natural
potassium nitrate, potassium sulphate, balance of the pond ecosystem.
sodium nitrate, superphosphate (ordinary
or double or triple) are some of the In Aquaculture ponds, the microscopic
commonly used inorganic fertilizers. plankton serves as live food for shrimp,
Sodium, calcium, magnesium, prawn and fish. Ecologically, plankton
phosphorous, sulphur, potassium, plays a significant role in increasing the
ammonia, silicate (chlorides) etc. are biological productivity in aquaculture
considered as inorganic macronutrients. ponds.
The micronutrients include aluminium,
boron, cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, Ecoplankt is an excellent organic
manganese, molybdenum, selenium and formulation containing nitrogen,
zinc etc. In addition there are some of the phosphorus, potassium and other
organic micronutrients like thiamin, nutrients. It also adds organic matter to
nicotinic acid, calcium pantothenate, the pond soil which may improve soil
methionine, P-aminobenzoic acid, biotin, structure, aeration, soil moisture-holding
i-inositol, folic acid, cyanocobalamin, capacity and water infiltration.
lysine, choline, ascorbic acid, riboflavin,
pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, biotin, Humic substances in the Ecoplankt are
tocopherol, vitamins A, D and K etc. are excellent natural and organic way to
used along with the fertilizers for better provide a concentrated dose of essential
primary production. critical nutrients, vitamins and trace
elements not only to stabilise the
Zooplankton plankton blooms in aquaculture ponds
but also to improve water quality.
To feed the delicate larvae, juveniles and
even adults of fish, prawn and shrimp in The organic matter (humic substance),
nurseries and grow-out ponds protein- present in the Ecoplankt, is formed
rich and naturally occurring through the chemical and biological
zooplanktonic organisms are essential. humification of plant and animal matter
Different types of zooplanktons like and through the biological activities of
larval forms of brine shrimp (Artemia microorganisms and is having high
salina), rotifers (Brachionus sp.), carbon and nitrogen contents.
cladocerans (Moina sp.) Euchlanis sp.,
Daphnia sp., Ceriodaphnia sp.; copepods The humic contents of Ecoplankt i.e.,
(calanoid, cycloid and harpacticoid Humic acid and Fulvic acid will activates
copepods) and larval forms of different the aquaculture pond ecosystem through
aquatic organisms etc., are considered as physical, chemical and biological
natural food for the prawn/ shrimp/ fish. reactions at general pond pH values.

In view of the importance of plankton in Ecoplankt-Aqua strengthen s the

aquaculture ponds, a new product by metabolic processes in all living things
name Ecoplankt-Aqua is developed for i.e. plankton, live feeds of aquaculture
use in aquaculture. EcoPlankt-Aqua is organisms and aquaculture organisms.
the unique algal bio-nutrient fortified
with humic substances and beneficial The one of the important property of
microbial consortium to stabilise Ecoplankt is the ability to flocculate the
aquaculture pond ecosystem. organic ions by ionic, complex, chelate

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and polar adsorption. This will make the Phosphorous-Solubilising bacteria
pond waters free from turbidity, hence solubilise phosphorous for plankton and
keeps the stable growth of plankton friendly bacteria from insoluble mineral
growth and enhances the free diffusion of sources.
oxygen from atmosphere into the pond
waters. EcoPlankt-Aqua is formulated, through
Natural Systems Approach, to restore a
Ecoplankt also strengthen the immune productive system in distressed and
system and increase the animal resistance depleted aquaculture ponds. EcoPlankt-
against most important diseases as well Aqua is the only formulation that
as increasing the live weight of the contains balanced nutrients for safety and
culture animal. Humic substances by the result is more sustainable plankton
their phagocytosis activity inhibits the blooms, is environmentally compatible
pathogenic bacterial growth and growth Bionutrition Management Product in
of moulds, thus decreasing levels of aquaculture ponds.
disease incidences and mycotoxins. The
humic contents in Ecoplankt-Aqua are
having the ability to neutralize the
negative effects of pesticide residuals and
toxins in the ponds.

The probiotics of Ecoplankt can stable

the plankton blooms in aquaculture
ponds by enhancing the availability of
nitrogen and phosphorous.

Nitrogen is vital for plankton growth. It

is abundant in the soil organic matter
(SOM), but not in a form that plankton
can use. Nitrogen fixing bacteria convert
SOM’s nitrogen to an inorganic form that
is useable by plants. In addition, they
provide residual nitrogen, in the soil,
which can reduce or eliminate nitrogen
fertilizer requirements. Nitrogen-fixing
bacteria of Ecoplankt are also capable of
combining free nitrogen of the water or
air with oxygen by other species of
bacteria that live freely in the soil
(nonsymbiotic nitrogen-fixation). The
major conversion of N2 into ammonia
and hence into proteins, is achieved by
microorganisms in the process called
nitrogen fixation (or dinitrogen fixation).