Effects of ammonia on growth and molting of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae reared under two salinity levels

Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae were exposed to 0, 6, 13, and 19 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) treatments. After 45 days, shrimp weight and length were lowest under TAN concentrations of 13 and 19 mg/L (P <= 0.05). Maximum weight gain was observed in control and 6 mg/L treatments. Mortality was highest (80.55 +/- 4.80%) under 19 mg/L reared in 35 ppt salinity. Average intermolt periods of PLs exposed to 0, 6, 13, and 19 mg/L TAN were 11.5 +/- 0.7, 10.8 +/- 1.3, 9.4 +/- 1.0, and 8.7 +/- 0.6 days under 35 ppt and 11.1 +/- 0.5, 10.7 +/- 0.6, 10.1 +/- 0.5, and 9.5 +/- 0.2 days under 45 ppt salinity. Although TAN increased postlarvae molting frequency, its negative effects on the shrimp growth and survival of PLs was directly linked to its concentration and exposure duration. Higher salinity reduces the effects of ammonia and increases the survival.