Growth and population modelling based on density of the Pacific white shrimp intensively cultured in freshwater

Abstract

Mathematical representation of the growth of organisms in aquaculture systems is a key factor to perform optimal production. Here, we analysed five growth sigmoidal models based on density of previous and current models described in literature (Gompertz, Bertalanffy, Potential and Pütter). These models were fitted to data of Pacific white shrimp cultured in freshwater, with 90, 130, 180, 230, 280 and 330 shrimp/m2 as initial stocking density of culture. Goodness of fit and statistic validation of the density-dependent model modified from Gompertz proved to display the growth curve that best-described data of shrimp grown between 90 and 180 densities, whereas the growth model modified from Potential proved to best describe higher stocking densities (230–330). The population dynamics was also modelled using a density-dependent function. The implications of modelling and their importance in the management of fisheries are discussed.