Abstract
A study of three feeding trials was conducted to investigate the dietary protein requirements of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) at three different growth stages. Six experimental diets were formulated to include increasing protein levels of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50% (designated as P25, P30, P35, P40, P45, and P50, respectively) for three feeding trials. The three feeding trials were conducted in different-sized shrimp at 0.65 g (trial 1), 4.80 g (trial 2), and 10.5 g (trial 3). Triplicate groups of shrimp were fed one of the experimental diets for 36, 42, and 48 days in trials 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In trial 1, the growth performance was not affected by the dietary protein levels. However, protein efficiency ratio was significantly higher in P30 diet compared to P40, P45, and P50 diets. In trial 2, growth rate was significantly higher in P35 diet than in P25 diet. In trial 3, the lowest growth performance was obtained in P25 diet which significantly differed from that of other experimental diets. Broken line analysis of growth data indicates that the optimal dietary level of crude protein is 34.5, 35.6, and 32.2% for small-, medium-, and large-sized (juvenile, sub-adult, and adult stages) Pacific white shrimp, respectively.
Highlights
The Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931), one of the most important farming shrimp species in the last decade, occupies a vital position in aquaculture industry
The optimal dietary protein requirement of L. vannamei has been reported from 20 to 45% depending on the shrimp size, water conditions, and dietary characteristics such as, protein quality, energy content, and palatability (Velasco et al 2000; Martinez-Cordova et al 2003; Perez-Velazquez et al 2007; Venero et al 2008; Jatobá et al 2014; Shahkar et al 2014; Sui et al 2015; Yun et al 2015; Yun et al 2016)
In trial 1, the growth performance was not affected by the dietary protein levels
Summary
The Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931), one of the most important farming shrimp species in the last decade, occupies a vital position in aquaculture industry. Basic nutritional data such as protein requirement, P/E ratio, vitamins, and minerals in diets for the shrimp have not been fully established. The nutritional study in shrimp is generally complicated by the difficulties associated with making water-stable experimental diet. The optimal dietary protein requirement of L. vannamei has been reported from 20 to 45% depending on the shrimp size, water conditions, and dietary characteristics such as, protein quality, energy content, and palatability (Velasco et al 2000; Martinez-Cordova et al 2003; Perez-Velazquez et al 2007; Venero et al 2008; Jatobá et al 2014; Shahkar et al 2014; Sui et al 2015; Yun et al 2015; Yun et al 2016).
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