In a significant development for the aquaculture industry, Ramir Lee, Regional Technical Manager for Asia at Zeigler Bros. Inc., recently introduced EZ Larva Ultra, a next-generation liquid diet designed to replace or supplement algae in shrimp hatcheries. This innovative product, developed through decades of research, promises to revolutionize early larval nutrition by addressing critical challenges faced by monodon hatcheries in Bangladesh and beyond.

A leap forward in larval nutrition

EZ Larva Ultra is the result of years of continuous research and development at Zeigler’s Aquaculture Research Center (Z-ARC) in Florida. The product is specifically formulated to match—if not surpass—the nutritional profile of algae while offering enhanced functionalities to support gut health and growth during the early larval stages of shrimp.

Key improvements in this second-generation product include:

• Higher Nutrient Density: Each capsule delivers increased nutritional value, ensuring optimal growth and development.
• Improved Digestibility: Enhanced formulations make it easier for larvae to absorb nutrients and convert them into biomass, resulting in reduced waste.
• Superior Buoyancy: Cutting-edge manufacturing techniques ensure the product remains suspended in water indefinitely with minimal aeration, guaranteeing 100% consumption.
• Cold Process Technology: This method preserves the integrity of key ingredients, including two specialized Bacillus blends:
  • Rescue Blend: Microencapsulated with nutrients, this blend targets gut health and colonization to suppress and inhibit Vibrio, improving digestion and immunity.
  • Remediate Blend: Present in the liquid fraction, this blend aids in ammonia and solids digestion, maintaining water quality.
• Vitality-Pak: Zeigler’s proprietary immune-enhancing additive is integrated into the formula to combat White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), a major threat to shrimp populations.

• Rescue Blend: Microencapsulated with nutrients, this blend targets gut health and colonization to suppress and inhibit Vibrio, improving digestion and immunity.
• Remediate Blend: Present in the liquid fraction, this blend aids in ammonia and solids digestion, maintaining water quality.

Addressing critical challenges in Bangladesh

Monodon hatcheries in Bangladesh have faced persistent struggles with luminescent Vibrio (Vibrio harveyi) over the past two years. This pathogen has caused significant production losses and has become increasingly resistant to treatments, making it harder to manage. Additionally, traditional algae-based diets, often referred to as the “Mother’s Milk” of early larval stages, are prone to nutritional variability and can act as vectors for pathogens if not handled properly. Algae are also susceptible to seasonal crashes, further disrupting production.

EZ Larva Ultra offers a reliable solution to these challenges:

• It can replace 50% of algae during the Zoea 1 stage and 100% from Zoea 2 onward, reducing dependency on algae and minimizing the risk of pathogen introduction.
• When used in combination with EZ Artemia Ultra, the product has demonstrated a 33% higher survival rate in shrimp challenged with Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) from the PL6-PL9 stages.
• It serves as a backup diet, ensuring uninterrupted production even if algae quality deteriorates or crashes.

A game-changer for hatcheries

For Bangladeshi hatcheries, EZ Larva Ultra represents more than just a nutritional product—it’s a safeguard against production losses and a tool for maintaining consistent post-larvae quality. By providing a stable, high-quality alternative to algae, the product ensures that hatcheries can continue operations without disruption, even in the face of environmental or seasonal challenges.

Looking ahead

The introduction of EZ Larva Ultra in Bangladesh marks a new era for monodon hatcheries, offering a scientifically advanced, reliable, and sustainable solution to long-standing issues. As the aquaculture industry continues to grow, products like EZ Larva Ultra will play a pivotal role in ensuring the health and productivity of shrimp populations, benefiting hatcheries, farmers, and the broader seafood supply chain.

For more information about EZ Larva Ultra and Zeigler Bros. Inc., visit www.zeiglerfeed.com