The use of copper sulfate to control mussel (Mytella strigata) invasive events in the Penaeus vannamei shrimp farming: Doses, effects, and depuration

• Published in: Aquaculture 2025-03, Vol.598, Article 741964
• Main Authors: Malavé, Katherine, Lodeiros, César, Freites-Valbuena, Luis, Vélez-Falcones, Jorge, Zapata-Vívenes, Édgar, Arrieche, Dwight, Guevara, Miguel, Pinto, Rafael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical control; Detoxification; Lethal media concentration; Shrimp culture
• ISSN: 0044-8486
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.741964

The global production of Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) has increased annually with advances in farming techniques. However, like any open system, it is subject to economic losses from invasive organisms, predators, and diseases. The lagoon mussel Mytella strigata, which massively invades culture ponds, reduces the primary productivity necessary for raising juvenile shrimp and is typically treated with copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4.5H2O) as a molluscicide. In the search for copper sulfate doses that are effective for controlling M. strigata and cultivating P. vannamei, the mean lethal concentration for mussels (LC50; 0.57 mg CuSO4.5H2O L−1) and shrimp (LC50; 2.91 mg CuSO4.5H2O L−1) was estimated. Subsequently, the acute effect of CuSO4.5H2O on biometry and endogenous energy reserves by exposing shrimp to a dose of 1.20 mg CuSO4.5H2O L−1, and the amount of metal accumulated and detoxified from the soft tissue and exoskeleton (lethal for mussels and sublethal for shrimp) was evaluated for 12 d, followed by a detoxification period for 5 d. A significant reduction in body mass in CuSO4.5H2O-exposed shrimp was observed. Copper content was higher in the exoskeleton of CuSO4-exposed shrimp (146.3 ± 26.2 μg Cu g−1), decreasing significantly with depuration (97.9 ± 26.0 μg Cu g−1). In the soft tissue, 53.3 ± 9.8 μg Cu g−1 was accumulated, decreasing to 6.2 ± 1.3 μg Cu g−1, showing a higher percentage of detoxification (88.3 %) compared to the exoskeleton (48.5 %). Protein, carbohydrate, and lipid concentrations were not altered during copper exposure and depuration. The results suggest that sublethal exposure to CuSO4.5H2O does not affect survival, and although shrimp biomass decreased (19 % compared to control), there was no effect on their biochemical composition. Our research recommends using 1.2 mg L−1 of CuSO4.5H2O to control specific events of mussel invasion, which could be included within protocols of low environmental impact and cost. •Copper sulfate application for Mytella strigata control in Penaeus vannamei.•Juvenile shrimp tolerate copper sulfate over five times more than mussels.•Copper sulfate of 1.2 mg L-1 kills mussels but has little impact on juvenile shrimp.•Shrimp exhibit rapid depuration of accumulated Copper.