THE GOLD COIN GROUP

White Feces Disease,

Prevention and Treatment
.
Poh Yong Thong

13 15 June 2016
Sumbawa

Agenda
What is white feces disease?
Findings: pre 2014 & post 2014
Possible causes
Possible prevention
*Feed Management
Treatment

What is White Feces Disease?

Field signs of white feces syndrome

(WFS)

Color: white, somehow yellow

Floating fecal strings, can be found in tray
Mass of vermiform bodies that superficially
resembled gregarines (protozoan
endoparasites)

Severely affected ponds: survival reduce 20-30%

compared to normal pond.
Decreased in feed consumption and growth rate
reduced as ADG lesser than 0.1g/day compared
to 0.2g/day in normal ponds.

Siriporn etc. 2014

Balai Layanan Usaha Produksi Perikanan Budidaya (BLUPPB) Karawang bekerja sama
dengan Shrimp Club Indonesia (SCI) wilayah Jawa Barat serta Direktorat Kesehatan Ikan
dan Lingkungan mengadakan workshop mengenai Pengendalian Penyakit Berak Putih
(White Feces Disease) pada Budidaya Udang. Workshop dilaksanakan pada tanggal 24
September 2014

Dr. Arief Taslihan BBAP Jepara

WFD : Sumbawa, Banyuwangi, Rembang, Jepara, Purworejo
Hepatopancreas whitish and soft

Dr. Arief Taslihan BBAP Jepara

Normal hepatopancreas

Hepatopancreas with WFD

What are the causes of White Feces Disease?

Pre 2014 Findings

2010, Chalor Limsuwan reported

2012
Somboon, M.; Purivirojkul, W.; Limsuwan, C.; Chuchird, N.
Kasetsart University Fisheries Research Bulletin 2012 Vol. 36 No. 1 pp.
7-15
Chanthaburi province, eastern Thailand from June to December 2010
Results showed that total bacteria and Vibrio spp. found in
haemolymph and intestine were significantly higher in diseased shrimp
(P<0.05) than in healthy shrimp. Seven species of Vibrio spp. were
identified: V. vulnificus, V. fluvialis, V. parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus,
V. mimicus, V. cholerae (non01) and Photobacterium damselae (V.
damselae). Gregarine parasites were found in only 2% of all sampled
shrimp (diseased and healthy). Histopathological examination in
severely affected shrimp revealed diffused haemocyte encapsulation
and dilated hepatopancreatic tubules accompanied by necrosis.

2011, Vietnam
Ha, in 2011, reported that the causative
agent of white feces is EHP (Enterocytozoon
hepatopenaei), a microsporidian

Finding in 2014.
Dr Flegel et. al.

(Rontok) Peeld away due to bacterial

toxin?

ATM
= Aggregated Transformed Microvilli

Published: June 9, 2014

Visanu Boonyawiwat,
Warachin Gangnonngiw,
Chaowanee Laosutthipong,
Jindanan Hiranchan,
Timothy W. Flegel

Light microscopy (LM) of squash mounts and stained smears from fresh HP
tissue revealed that the vermiform bodies are almost transparent with widths
and diameters proportional to the HP tubule lumens in which they occur.
Despite vermiform appearance, they show no cellular structure
These internal membranes were shown to arise from transformed microvilli that
peeled away from HP tubule epithelial cells and then aggregated in the tubule
lumen hence ATM (Aggregated Transformed Microvilli)
The cause of ATM is currently unknown, but formation by loss of microvilli and
subsequent cell lysis indicate that their formation is a pathological process.
If sufficiently severe, they may retard shrimp growth and may predispose shrimp
to opportunistic pathogens.

Evolution of ATM / WFS / EMS ?

When aggregated transformed microvilli (ATM) severe, it can lead to formation of
white fecal strings in shrimp (WFS).
WFS usually occurs from 2 months of cultivation onward, it may be accompanied
by high mortality. However, ATM sometimes occur together with other shrimp
HP diseases like EMS, vibrosis and parasites (i.e microsporidium).
It may significantly that the increase in prevalence of ATM has been coincidental
with the increased in EMS outbreak. Although this might suggest a possible
causal association, there has been also coincidental increased prevalence of HP
microsporidium with EMS.
EMS bacterials produce toxin (regulated by QS) that can cause sloughing of HP
tubule epithelial cells (i.e EMS) , and it may be asked whether the same toxin at
low dosages may cause the formation of ATM???
WFD >>>>EMS???

Author belief:
White Feces due to bacterial pathogen

Possible Causes:

Possible Causes of WFD:

Water transparency very low, about 20 cm
High alkalinity (near 200 ppm) or low
alkalinity (<80 ppm)
Low DO < 3.0 ppm
Total vibrio count in water > 1 x 102 CFU/ml
High organic load (>100 ppm)
High Total Ammoniaic Nitrogen (TAN)
OVERFEEDING!!

Possible Causes of WFD:

Water transparency very low, about 20 cm
High alkalinity (near 200 ppm) or low
alkalinity (<80 ppm)
Low DO < 3.0 ppm
Total vibrio count in water > 1 x 102 CFU/ml
High organic load (>100 ppm)
High Total Ammoniaic Nitrogen (TAN)
OVERFEEDING!!

Matahari Sakti

1 June 2015 Bulletin

Reports that the TOM in Indonesian sea has

increased to more than 50 ppm(now >80 ppm)
The environment cannot self-purify adequately,
there is imbalance in the ecosystem
Favours pathogenic bacteria, resulting in diseases

Prevention & Control

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

Pond Preparation based on Carrying Capacity: stocking density, number of
paddlewheel available, inputs available
Choose PL from reputable hatchery
Maintain stable water quality by routine analysis
Siphon if there is accumulated sludge
Control feed amount to prevent overfeeding
Control Vibrios by applying reputable probiotics
Add organic Acid to feed to suppress bacteria growth
Add alcin (garlic extract) and Glucan (Aspergilus oryzae) to feed to boost
immune system
Make decision to Partial Harvest or Total Harvest if the Carrying Capacity is
reached
Increase the technical knowhow of the farm technicians by offering
training

Use of Organic Acid to combat WFD Dr Arief BBPAP

Jepara 3 Oct 2015

Use of Organic Acid to combat WFD Dr Arief BBPAP

Jepara 3 Oct 2015

Gold Coin Feed Has already

incorporated an organic
Acid to prevent WFD!

Shrimp TVC (Total vibrio count) after 8 days treatment Dr

Arief BBPAP Jepara
Perlakuan

Total Vibrio (CFU/ml)

Keterangan

Haemolymph

Hepatopancreas

Garlic

3 x 10

Koloni kuning

Active carbon

2,3 x 10

Koloni kuning

Probiotics

10

2,8 x 10

Koloni hijau dan kuning

4 x 10

1,8 x 10

Koloni hijau dan kuning

Control

- Saat awal perlakuan kotoran udang berwarna putih

- Lima hari pasca perlakuan kotoran udang kecoklatan

Feed Management

Managing WFD through Feeding Management

Banyak kacoa di dapur jika

banyak sisa makanan

Banyak bacteria pathogenic

dalam tambak jika banyak bahan
organic (ala overfeeding)

Why is Feeding Shrimp a big challenge?

Cannot see the shrimp,
cannot see the feed

??

Too little feed?? Too much feed??

Proper Feed Management is Important because:

Feed cost is >50% of total operation cost
Shrimp operation cost
Water
treatment
8%

Labour
10%

Others
5%

Feed
50%

Seed
7%

Energy
20%

If underfeeding

Proper feed management is Important because:

Feed > 50% operation costs
If underfeeding:
= grow slow, loose shrimp
= potential of disease because of undernourishment
= need more days to achieve the same growth,
so higher FCR

If overfeeding:
= organic wastes accumulate & reduce carrying
capacity of the pond
= pollute the pond bottom and water, high
H2S, NH3 , High bacteria, low DO
= mortality, high FCR

Understanding Shrimp Feed

Feed
100kg
Uneaten 5kg

Shrimp Eat
95kg

Shrimp use
67kg

Feces 28kg

Total organic waste 33 kg

13kg protein
14kg carbohydrate
1.9kg fat
0.1kg mineral
0.1kg vitamin
1.1kg fibre
2.4kg others

1. harmful gases
2. poor water quality
3. food for pathogenic bacteria
4. blue green algae

This may be the result of overfeeding!

Temperature and Feed Management

Use 300 C as standard for checking tray if water

temperature is above 300 C

Vannamei is a greedy eater

Vannamei eats more during hot weather

Main conclusions:
Avoid excessive feeding when water is >32oC (feed at cooler/different time of
day) and reduce feeding if water is too hot.
Do not rely too much on feed tray at >32oC.
Ideal nutrient utilisation, feed efficiency when water temperature is between
29 and 31C.

May 13, 2012

Thailand
Temperature and Feed Consumption in White Shrimp
In this study, researchers from Kasetsart University looked at the relationship
between temperature and feed consumption in white shrimp under laboratory
conditions. They also looked at feed consumption from feed trays at different
temperatures on an intensive shrimp farm. Results suggested that shrimp
consumed feed much faster when temperatures were above 32C. Feeding trays,
however, may not be a useful feed management tool when temperatures are
above 31C because all the feed is consumed within an hour of application.

The researchers found that the ideal temperature for the best digestibility of
nutrients is between 29 and 31C, which coincides with the best range for feed
conversion observed in these trials. Shrimp digestion at temperatures ranging
from 24 to 28C can take three to four hours, indicating that intervals between
each feeding should be five to six hours to allow the complete digestion and
consumption from the previous feeding.
At temperatures higher than 32C, digestion is much faster, and feed
consumption may be higher. There is danger, however, in increasing feed doses
to levels that can result in phytoplankton blooms, large numbers of pathogenic
bacteria and higher organic matter concentrations on pond bottoms. It was
noted that by avoiding feeding at temperatures above 32C, pond and
production conditions were improved.
Source: The Global Aquaculture Advocate (The Global Magazine for Farmed Seafood). Editor, Darryl Jory
(dejry2525@aol.com). Temperature Effects Feeding Behavior of Pacific White Shrimp. Dr. Carlos A. Ching (email
cchingm@alicorp.com.pe, Technical Assistance Manager Nicovita Alicorp SAA, Av. Argentina 4793, Callao, Peru)
and Dr. Chalor Limsuwan (Professor, Department of Fishery Biology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand).
Volume 15, Issue 3, Page 32, May/June 2012.

Water Quality Management

Means keeping the conc of harmful substances low so that
they do not adversely affect the shrimp
Minimise water quality fluctions

Strategies to maintain good water quality

1. Use an efficient feeding strategy to reduce excessive
organic loading
2. Use a high quality feed
3. Maintaining the pond in highly oxidized state which
can more efficiently oxidize and decompose the
organic matter
4. Removing part of the excessive organic matter
through pond design in an environmentally friendly
manner

Strategies to maintain good water quality

4. .

5. Proper water exchange to dilute the organic or toxic

matter
6. Maintain stable phytoplankton community to absorb
the toxic substances
7. Maintain beneficial bacteria community to convert
toxic substances to non-toxic substances through
addition of reputable probiotics

Good Management tools

Good feed management
Check the pond bottom regularly (once or twice a week)
1. Check how clean the feeding area is by scooping the mud with
your hands to see whether the mud is quite clean or already
dirty
2. Feel the sludge area carefully to see the extent of the organic
load
3. Discharge the central sludge if there is a sedimentation pond
and if the inlet canal is separated from the outlet or
4. Pump or siphon the sludge out to a sedimentation pond

Good Tip to preserve water quality:

Fasting or interrupted Feeding

It is good to practice occasional fastings (3 or 4 meals a
week) when shrimp is above 60 days to allow shrimp to
clean up the pond bottom
Stop feeding after 18:00 hrs is good because most pond
have lower DO at night; in addition, the reduced feeding
will allow the shrimp to clean up the pond bottom
Stop feeding for 1 to 2 meals or even the whole day if
the weather is cold and the feed in the tray is not
finished

Carrying Capacity of Pond still comfortable

Carrying Capacity of Pond Exceeded

Carrying Capacity of Pond

Carrying Capacity of Pond

Concept of Carrying Capacity

Different pond has different Carrying Capacity
E.g. new clean pond can produce 1,000 kg/Hp of aeration, old
and dirty pond bottom may produce only 400 kg/Hp of
aeration
Different management skill, different levels of facilities may
produce different productivity
When the Carrying Capacity of a pond is reached, problems will
start arising, such as slow growth, high FCR, DO problems
When the Carrying Capacity is reached, it is best to harvest or
partial harvest the pond

In case the shrimp is infected by

White Feces Disease:

White Feces Disease Recommended cure

Discover the WFD as early as possible

White Feces Disease Recommended cure

Discover the WFD as early as possible

Early stage of white feces

White Feces Disease Recommended cure

Discover the WFD as early as possible
After discovering WFD (Day 1):
1. Reduce feed drastically, or even stop feeding for 1 day
2. On as many paddlewheels as possible
3. Add reputable probiotic at 5 times the normal rate to the pond water
Day 2:
1. Give only 50% feed. Top dress feed with 8-10 grams / kg feed fresh
garlic blended (cincan) , mixed with 100 ml of water for 1 day
Day 3 to 5:
1. Add reputable probiotics such as Bacillus to the feed and feed for every
meal

Take Home Message:

Know the Carrying Capacity of your Pond
Do not Overfeed
During hot weather of over 320 C, especially do not
overfeed
Observe your shrimp carefully
Discover White Feces Disease Early
Treat WFD early
Garlic followed by Priobiotics Treatment is Effective
against WFD

Thank You
Bye