Effects of artificial substrates in zero-water-
exchange culture system on the rearing perfor-
mance of Litopenaeus vannamei under winter indoor
condition were investigated in this study. Growth,
survival, feed conversion rate (FCR), production
rate of L. vannamei and water quality were
compared between artificial substrate-treated
group (AST) and control group (without artificial
substrates presented in the rearing environment).
Artificial substrates can significantly improve the
water quality, the ammonia and nitrite-N concen-
trations in the AST group were significantly lower
than in the control group (P < 0.05), and the
total heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp. were
also significantly lower in the AST group
(P < 0.05). The survival, growth and production
rate of L. vannamei in the AST group were signifi-
cantly higher than in the control group
(P < 0.05). Significantly lower FCR was observed
in the AST group (P < 0.05). Results from this
study indicate that the utilization of artificial
substrates in the indoor shrimp culture system
could effectively control the water quality, improve
the survival and growth of shrimp and signifi-
cantly reduce the FCR. This study provides a
guideline for employing artificial substrates in rear-
ing of shrimp in the zero-water-exchange culture