White Feces Syndrome Disease

What is WFS disease?

White feces syndrome (shortly WFS) of shrimp refers to the condition where digestive tract malfunctions and feces turns into white. WFS is generally characterized by floating feces white strings on the water surface and they can also be found in the check tray.

Common WFS indications are reduction in feed absorption capacity of gut leads to low feed intake, high FCR, Low growth rate, size variation, moulting problems, heavy mortality.

What are all the signs of WFS?

1. Floating white feces strings on water surface
2. Gut and hepatopancreas turns into pale and white colour
3. Reduction in feed intake
4. Slow growth rate and size variation in shrimp
5. Soft and loose shell
6. Dark gills coloration

WFS agents:

Usually WFS is not a result of a single factor. Bacteria (Vibrio Sp.), Gregarine protozoan, Microsporidian parasite (EHP), Algal toxins could be the causative agent for WFS disease.

Precautions:

1. Stop or reduce feeding immediately.
2. Improve the aeration by fixing one or more aerators.
3. Disinfect the water to remove the pathogens.
4. Add probiotics to water at 3 times more than the normal rate.
5. Improve feeding with ginger-garlic paste followed by gut probiotics.
6. Probiotics should be added in feed repeatedly for every meal.

Does it affect the all ages of shrimp?

WFS is observed mostly at the mid culture period (40-70 DOC).

Reasons for the WFS occurrence

1. Poor water quality
2. High stocking density
3. Poor pond bottom management
4. Poor feed management & unhygienic feed
5. Algal bloom condition
6. Water pollution

What are the things should be followed to prevent WFS?

• Pond preparation as per the BMPs. Drying and disinfection should be done properly to avoid pathogens
• Control overfeeding
• Stock shrimps based on the carrying capacity
• Monitor shrimps daily
• Discover WFS early and treat early
• Improve shrimp condition through proper nutrition and immunostimulants
• Maintain better water condition
• Follow biosecurity measures to avoid the spread