The dominance and proportions of plankton in Pacific white shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei) ponds cultivated with the intensive system in Bulukumba Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

This study aimed to evaluate plankton in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultivation in Bulukumba Regency, South Sulawesi. The study was conducted in six intensive ponds for 84 days from November 2019 to February 2020. Plankton samples were collected every 10 days for 8 weeks based on the day of culture (DOC) of Pacific white shrimp since the first rearing in the pond using plankton net (mesh size of 25 µm). Then, planktons were preserved to 5% formalin buffer in 250 mL of sterile plastic. Next, the plankton densities and compositions were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The results showed that plankton dominance in Chlorophyta species and the presence was evenly distributed across all shrimp ponds in the field. The number was relatively stable in all shrimp DOCs and was the highest proportion as well; Chlorophyta (73 to 83%), Diatom group (7.75 to 15.63%), and blue-green algae (BGA) group (7.13 to 13.50%). Plankton can be used as a biomonitor of pollution and shrimp health in dominance and the percentage proportion of each species. Regular monitoring is highly recommended to minimize plankton growth, especially the BGA type that can harm shrimp health in the intensive system.