Growth and survival of the white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared intensively in the brackish water of the Israeli Negev desert

Juvenile shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (initial weight 0.019±0.009 g), were reared at densities of 2000/m³ and 5000/m³ in brackish (salinity of 2.5-3.0 ppt) geothermal (~40°C at the source) water from beneath the Israeli Negev desert in a recirculating system for 72 days. The shrimp grew significantly faster (p<0.01) at the lower density than at the higher density. The weekly mean weight and specific growth rate in the low density were 0.57 g and 8.68 and, in the high density, 0.404 g and 8.02. The feed conversion ratio was 2.01 in the lower density and 2.36 in the higher. The survival rate was 87% and 63.5% in the low and high densities, respectively. Data obtained in this study, particularly at the low density, are comparable to favorable published results for L. vannamei in marine waters. The present study is the first experimental attempt to evaluate the potential of mass culture of high quality, healthy L. vannamei in the brackish, geothermal water of Israel's Negev desert. This water, which is free of pollutants and marine pathogens, has been found to be highly suitable for the culture of a number of species of fish and aquatic organisms.