Vibrio spp y bacterias heterótrofas en tres laboratorios de larvas de camarón blanco Penaeus vannamei de Manabí, Ecuador

Penaeus vannamei aquaculture is an important productive sector in Ecuador; however, this sector is still deficient in identifying and managing health problems, mainly in the larval stage. For eight weeks, the microbial load was evaluated with respect to total heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp in the inlet water, treated water, and production tanks of three laboratories in the Canton of Sucre, province of Manabí. Additionally, a survey was carried out on laboratory management and the application of basic health measures. Average values of 7 x 106 CFU mL-1 for heterotrophic bacteria and 4 x 102 CFU mL-1 for Vibrio spp were obtained. No significant differences (p>0.05) were found for each type of bacteria between the sampled points across laboratories or between different points in the same laboratory. Vibrio spp values were within the recommended values, while heterotrophic bacteria exceeded the reference values. The results of the surveys expose the lack of training programs on health and/or biosecurity issues.