Ammonia

Nitrite
Nitrate
Overview
Definition
Measuring methods & frequency
Optimal level for shrimp
Effect to shrimp
Problem solving
Prevention
 Definition
Ammonia
Nitrogenous waste produced from feed input and microbial decomposition of
organic matter in water.
Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) is measured analytically in water.
+
Ionized ammonia (NH4 ) : harmless
Unionized ammonia (NH3 ) : very toxic due to its ability to gain entry
through the gills.
The level of unionized ammonia should be kept below 0.02 ppm
pH, salinity and temperature dependent
 Definition
Nitrite

Nitrite is formed by the conversion of ammonia by nitrifying bacteria.

Toxicity effects on the circulatory and immune systems of aquatic organism.
Toxic to fish because it binds with the hemoglobin in fish's blood to form
methemoglobin, is called "brown blood disease."
In shrimp’s blood, oxygen binds to a copper based molecule at the gills and is
then delivered throughout the body.
 Definition

Nitrate
Nitrate is formed from the breakdown of nitrite by nitrifying bacteria.
Non toxic, except in very high concentrations.
Can be absorbed by plants or removed from the water through periodic water
changes.
In natural systems and some aquarium systems, nitrate is converted to
nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria.
 Nitrogen cycle

Ammonia Nitrite
Organic Nitrosomonas
+
nitrogen NH3 NH4 O
-
NO 2
2

O Nitrobacter
feed, feces, 2

dead phytoplankton,
fish, bacteria
Plant,
Nitrate
Atmosphere Nitrogen Phytoplankton
NO 3
N2 O
2

Phytoplankton
Measuring methods & frequency

Fraction of un-ionized ammonia in aqueous solution at different pH values and

temperatures. Calculated from data in Emmerson et al. (1975).
 Measuring methods & frequency

Spectrophotometers Ammonium Ion- Ammonia test kit

Selective Electrode

Ammonia should be measured every 1 - 2 weeks and increasing frequency if

there’s any ammonia spike.
Measuring methods & frequency

Nitrate test kit Nitrite test kit

Nitrite should be measured at least once a week in high density culture system.
 Optimal level for shrimp
N -waste Normal range Lethal concentration

Total ammonia < 1 mg/L 1.29 mg/L (LC50% within 48 hr)

Nitrate < 0.1 mgN/L 170 mg/L

Nitrite < 20 mgN/L 3400 mg/L

Chen & Chin, 1998

 Effect to shrimp
Ammonia
Increased TAN -> Increased ROS -> Induced lipid peroxidation -> Loss of cell membrane
function and apoptosis (Liang et al., 2016)
Decreased hemocyte, phenoloxidase, superoxide dismutase (Kathyayani et. al., 2019)
Increased susceptibility of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) (Kathyayani et. al., 2019)
Increase in pH levels favor the formation of the more toxic un-ionized form of ammonia
and enhance the toxic effects (Colt and Armstrong, 1981).
Histological change : hepatic tubules were disordered, the lumen enlarged, the
composition of B cells and R cells changed (Wang & Liu, 2022)
 Effect to shrimp
Nitrite
High concentrations may cause retarded growth and increased mortalities (Gross, Abutbul
& Zilberg, 2007)
Long-term exposure to nitrite concentrations of less than 1 mg/L N02-N might have
negative effects on L. vurinunzei growth and survival when grown in slightly saline water.
(Gross, Abutbul & Zilberg, 2007)
 Effect to shrimp
Nitrate
Higher concentration of nitrate in the same salinity, Lower survival rate (Neto et. al., 2019)
Increased salinity in the same concentration of nitrate, higher survival rate (Neto et. al., 2019)
Shrimp exposed to high concentrations of nitrate over a long period of time exhibited shorter
antennae length, gill abnormalities and lesions in the hepatopancreas. (Kuhn, Smith & Flick, 2011)
 Effect to shrimp

Histopathology of hepatopancreas exposed in high

The effects of chronic nitrate toxicity include dark cuticular lesions on the concentration of nitrate
carapace and anterior segments of the tail (Kuhn, Smith & Flick, 2011) A = Abnormal cells & Dilated tubules
B = Normal cells and tubules
 Problem solving
Wastewater management

Physical Treatment

Regular partial water changes (25-30%) in the shrimp tank once a week or more
frequently if ammonia levels are dangerously high.

The toxicity of ammonia and the equilibrium of unionized (NH3) to ionized ammonia
(NH4+) is driven by factors including pH, temperature, salinity, alkalinity, and dissolved
oxygen. Monitoring water quality parameters levels in the threshold.
 Problem solving
Wastewater management

Physical Treatment

Granular Activated carbon (GAC) can remove nitrate from water through the absorption
process

Improper feeding and high-protein diets lead to excess wastewater, control feeding and
diets

Aerator to increase dissolved oxygen and reduce ammonia

 Problem solving
Wastewater management

Biological Treatment

Adding Nitrificafying bacteria that contain Nitrosomonas and nitobacteria strains, These bacteria
get their energy from the oxidation of inorganic nitrogen compounds
Nitrification - the conversion of ammonia to nitrite and nitrate
Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) or Ammonia-oxidizing Archaea (AOA)
Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB)

Using probiotics for reducing NH3 levels by increasing dissolved oxygen and pH in the pond water
,
 Problem solving
Wastewater treatment

Chemical Treatment

Biological Aerated filer (BAF) uses Zeolite for the removal of Nitrate
(Ion exchange)

Ammonia neutralizer or Ammonia detoxifier

(Aquascape, 2023.)
 Prevention
Proper protein diets

Aerator to increase dissolved oxygen

Avoid overstocking

Water quality test

Regular partial water changes to reduce ammonia waste

 References
1. Alune (2020, October 7). How to handle ammonia spikes when farming shrimp. https://thefishsite.com/articles/how-to-handle-ammonia-
spikes-when-farming-shrimp-water-
quality#:~:text=Physical%20treatment&text=A%20daily%20water%20exchange%20of,water%20exchange%20exceeds%2015%20percent.
2. Bashir, R.M. (2016). AFM 317 FISH HEALTH MANAGEMENT. https://nou.edu.ng/coursewarecontent/AFM%20317.pdf
3. Gaikwad R.W., Warade A.R. (2014, December). Removal of Nitrate from Groundwater by Using Natural Zeolite of Nizarneshwar Hills of
Western India. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dr-Ravindra-
Gaikwad/publication/285766444_Removal_of_Nitrate_from_Groundwater_by_Using_Natural_Zeolite_of_Nizarneshwar_Hills_of_Western_India/lin
ks/577a90cd08aec3b7433572ed/Removal-of-Nitrate-from-Groundwater-by-Using-Natural-Zeolite-of-Nizarneshwar-Hills-of-Western-
India.pdf?origin=publication_detail
4. Gross, A., Abutbul, S., Zilberg, D. (2007). Acute and Chronic Effects of Nitrite on White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, Cultured in Low‐
Salinity Brackish Water. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-7345.2004.tb00095.x
5. Jackson et al (2003) Nitrogen budget and effluent nitrogen components at an intensive shrimp farm. Aquaculture, Volume 218, Issues 1–4
6. Kathyayani, S. A., Poornima, M., Sukumaran, S., Nagavel A., Muralidhar, M. Effect of ammonia stress on immune variables of Pacific white
shrimp Penaeus vannamei under varying levels of pH and susceptibility to white spot syndrome virus.
https://krishi.icar.gov.in/jspui/bitstream/123456789/25988/1/EES-2019%20%28pHxTAN%29.pdf
7. Wang, J., Liu, J. (2022). The evaluation of ammonia tolerance in introduced and local Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei,
populations in China. https://doi.org/10.46989/001c.57304.
 References
1. Maartijw A.H.J. , Daan R.S. Et al. (2016, May 26.). Complete nitrification by a single microorganism.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4878690/
2. Marwa A. H., Mustafa A. F., Et al. (2022, February 26). Influence of probiotics on water quality in intensified Litopenaeus vannamei
ponds under minimum-water exchange. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8882212/
3. Neto, I. A., Brandão, H., Furtado P. S., Wasielesky, W. (2019). Acute toxicity of nitrate in Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles at low
salinity levels. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20180439
4. Schuler, D. J. (2008). Acute Toxicity of Ammonia and Nitrite to White Shrimp (L. vannamei) at Low Salinities. [Master’s thesis,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University]. vtechworks.
https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/32453/SchulerThesis.pdf?sequence=3
5. Simpson, W. (n.d.). Aquarium Water Quality: Nitrogen Cycle. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
https://www.fdacs.gov/About-Us/Meet-Commissioner-SimpsonJackson et al (2003) Nitrogen budget and effluent nitrogen
components at an intensive shrimp farm. Aquaculture, Volume 218, Issues 1–4
6. Stickney, R. R. & Gatlin III, D. M. (2022). Aquaculture, An Introductory Text (4th ed.). CABI.
7. Liang, Zhongxiu, Liu, Rui, Zhao, Depeng, Wang, Lingling, Sun and Mingzhe. (2016). Ammonia exposure induces oxidative stress,
endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in hepatopancreas of pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Fish & Shellfish
Immunology. 54, 523-528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2016.05.009
8. Colt, J., Armstrong, D., 1981. Bio‐Engineering Symposium for Fish Culture, vol. 1. FCS Publ, pp. 34–47.
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