Preliminary evaluation of the seaweed Gracilaria cervicornis (Rhodophyta) as a partial substitute for the industrial feeds used in shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Gracilaria cervicornis meal as a partial substitute for the industrial feeds used in shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming. A total of 90 L. vannamei juveniles (0.34 g) were assigned randomly into nine experimental units at a stocking density of 10 shrimp tank⁻¹ and fed a commercial shrimp feed (CSF; 35% crude protein) as a control treatment, a feed made entirely of G. cervicornis (GCM), and a mixture of equal parts of the commercial shrimp feed and the Gracilaria meal (MIX) for 30 days. Over the first 2 weeks of the experiment, the survival was high (100%) in all dietary treatments. However, at the termination of the feeding trial survival decreased to 40% in shrimp fed GCM, significantly lower (P<0.05) than survival of shrimp fed the commercial diet control (CSF) or MIX treatments (100%). The highest growth performance was obtained in the CSF or MIX treatment groups. The absolute growth increase in these groups was significantly higher than for shrimp fed GCM. Similarly, the specific growth rates (SGRs) of shrimp given feeds containing CSF (5.11% day⁻¹) and MIX (4.71% day⁻¹) were significantly greater (P<0.05) than that of shrimp fed GCM pellets (0.44% day⁻¹). The feed efficiency ratios (FERs) were 64 for CSF, 54.3 for MIX and 3.3 for GCM. The results obtained in this study indicated the effectiveness of using G. cervicornis as a partial substitute for shrimp feeds. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the concept that macroalgae can partially substitute for the industrial feeds used in shrimp (L. vannamei) farming has been demonstrated.     

Physiological, metabolic and haematological responses in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) juveniles fed diets supplemented with astaxanthin acclimated to low-salinity water

The effects of dietary astaxanthin supplemented at 0, 40, 80 or 150 mg astaxanthin kg⁻¹ on growth, survival, moult frequency, osmoregulatory capacity (OC) and selected metabolic and haematological variables in Litopenaeus vannamei acclimated to low‐salinity water (3 g L⁻¹) were evaluated. Supplemented astaxanthin at 80 mg kg⁻¹ improved growth, survival and moult frequency in shrimp. The lowest OC was also exhibited in shrimp fed with dietary astaxanthin at 80 mg kg⁻¹. Shrimp haemolymph concentrations of glucose, lactate, haemocyanin and total haemocyte count were all significantly enhanced by feeding the diet supplemented with 80 mg astaxanthin kg⁻¹ compared with shrimp fed with the other diets. On the basis of these results, dietary astaxanthin supplementation of 80 mg kg⁻¹ is recommended for juvenile L. vannamei cultured in low‐salinity water.     

Preliminary Comparisons of the Native Penaeus setiferus and Pacific P. vannamei White Shrimp for Pond Culture in South Carolina, USA

Two pond experiments were conducted at the Waddell Mariculture Center to compare production characteristics of the native Penaeus setiferus and Pacific P. vannamei white shrimp in South Carolina. In 1985, 7–9 day old postlarval P. setiferus were stocked in one 0.1 and one 0.25 ha ponds, while P. vannamei of the same age were stocked in one 0.1 and one 0.25 ha ponds, while P. vannamei of the same age were stocked in one 0.1, one 0.25, and one 0.5 ha ponds. Both species were stocked at 12 shrimp/m². The shrimp were fed a 25% protein commercial food and harvested by draining after 147 d. Sarvival in all ponds was > go%, but growth and production of the P. setiferus were considerably lower than values obtained for P. vannamei: 12.8 g and 1,555 kg/ha/crop for P. satiferus versus 19.7 g and 2,477 kg/ha/crop for P. vannamei. In 1989, duplicate 0.1 ha ponds were stocked with P. setiferus and P. vannamei at 60 shrimp/m², and two additional 0.1 ha ponds were stocked with P. setiferus at 40/m². The P. setiferus postlarvae were produced at the Waddell Center from captive-reared and wild South Carolina brood stock. Rearing procedures involved paddlewheel aeration (10 hp/ha), regular water exchange (averaging 16–21%/d in all ponds), and use of a 40% protein feed. Due to the availability of postlarvae, the various treatments were stocked at different times. Both P. setiferus treatments were reared for 145 d, while the P. vannamei were reared for 165 d. P. setiferus at the 40/m² density attained mean size, survival, and standing crop biomass at harvest of 13.5 g, 97.5% and 5,259 kg/ha/crop, respectively. The 60/m²P. setiferus treatment was stocked 2 wk earlier and yielded 15.2 g mean weight, 87.5% survival, and 7,995 kg/ha/crop at harvest. The P. vannamei 60/m² treatment, which was stocked 3 wk earlier than any of the P. setiferus, produced mean size, survival and standing crop biomass at harvest of 17.1 g, 69.5% and 7,187 kg/ha/crop. Both survival and production levels would have been higher had not one replicate experienced a partial mortality due to a feeding accident. The 1989 study yielded what is thought to be the highest production levels yet achieved with P. setiferus in pond culture. These results suggest that P. setiferus may be a viable alternative to P. vannamei for intensive cultivation in the continental U.S. when P. vannamei are unavailable. Further evaluation of this potential is needed.     

Effects of dietary administration of Macsumsuk® on growth and stress to low salinity and low dissolved oxygen in whiteleg shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) juveniles

An 8‐week study was conducted to explore the results of Macsumsuk^® as a feed additive on the stress tolerance and growth of Litopenaeus vannamei in 15 culture tanks of 36 L each. Three hundred shrimp averaging 0.1 ± 0.01 g were fed with five isonitrogenous (48.38 ± 0.38% CP) diets (in triplicate groups) containing kaolinite (Macsumsuk^®) at 0%, 0.3%, 0.6%, 1.2% and 2.4%, namely Mk₀, Mk_0.3, Mk_0.6, Mk_1.2 and Mk_2.4. Specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain (WG) of shrimp fed diets Mk_1.2 and Mk_2.4 were significantly better than those of shrimp fed diet Mk₀ (p < .05). However, SGR and WG of shrimp fed diets Mk_0.6, Mk_1.2 and Mk_2.4 were not significantly different. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed efficiency (FE) of shrimp fed diets Mk_1.2 and Mk_2.4 were significantly better than those of shrimp fed diets Mk₀, Mk₀.₃ and Mk_0.6. Furthermore, the survival of shrimp fed diet Mk_2.4 was significantly lower than that of shrimp fed diet Mk_0.6 (p < .05). Cumulative mortality of shrimp fed diet Mk_1.2 was significantly lower than that of shrimp fed diet Mk₀ at 1–1.5 hr post‐stress to low dissolved oxygen (from 6.1 mg/L to 2.9 mg/L) and 4–5 hr post‐stress to low salinity (from 32‰ to 1‰) (p < .05). The optimum dietary Macsumsuk^® level for juvenile L. vannamei was determined as 1.97% by the polynomial regression analysis of weight gain.     

Growth and body composition of juvenile white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,fed different ratios of dietary protein to energy

A 10‐week feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different protein to energy ratios on growth and body composition of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei (initial average weight of 0.09 ± 0.002 g, mean ± SE). Twelve practical test diets were formulated to contain four protein levels (300, 340, 380 and 420 g kg^?1) and three lipid levels (50, 75 and 100 g kg^?1). Each diet was randomly fed to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps per tank (260 L). The water temperature was 28.5 ± 2 °C and the salinity was 28 ± 1 g L^?1 during the experimental period. The results showed that the growth was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary treatments. Shrimps fed the diets containing 300 g kg^?1 protein showed the poorest growth. However, shrimp fed the 75 g kg^?1 lipid diets had only slightly higher growth than that fed 50 g kg^?1 lipid diets at the same dietary protein level, and even a little decline in growth with the further increase of dietary lipid to 100 g kg^?1. Shrimp fed the diet with 420 g kg^?1protein and 75 g kg^?1 lipid had the highest specific growth rate. However, shrimp fed the diet with 340 g kg^?1 protein and 75 g kg^?1 lipid showed comparable growth, and had the highest protein efficiency ratio, energy retention and feed efficiency ratio among dietary treatments. Triglycerides and total cholesterol in the serum of shrimp increased with increasing dietary lipid level at the same dietary protein level. Body lipid and energy increased with increasing dietary lipid level irrespective of dietary protein. Results of the present study showed that the diet containing 340 g kg^?1 protein and 75 g kg^?1 lipid with digestible protein/digestible energy of 21.1 mg kJ^?1 is optimum for L. vannamei, and the increase of dietary lipid level has not efficient protein‐sparing effect.     

Influence of dietary phospholipids level on growth performance,body composition and lipid class of early postlarval Litopenaeus vannamei

One experiment was conducted to determine the nutritive value of phospholipids on growth performance of early postlarval shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Five isoenergic and isonitrogenous diets with five supplemented levels of phospholipids (P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 with 0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 g kg^?1 diet, respectively) were fed to triplicate groups of L. vannamei (mean initial wet weight 0.8 mg) for 27 days. After the 27‐day feeding trial, the lowest weight gain (WG, %) and specific growth rate (SGR, % day^?1) was found in P1 treatment, the highest WG and SGR was found in P3, P4 and P5 treatments, P2 treatment provided intermediate result and showed significant difference compared to P1, P3, P4 and P5 treatments. Shrimp fed the P1 diet had significantly lower survival than shrimp fed other diets, while no significant difference was found in survival among P2, P3, P4 and P5 treatments. Broken‐line analysis on WG indicated that the optimum dietary phospholipids for early postlarval shrimp, L. vannamei, is 45.96 g kg^?1 diet.     

Effects of dietary chitosan on growth,survival and stress tolerance of postlarval shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

The effect of chitosan, a polymer of glucosamine obtained by the deacetylation of chitin, on growth, survival and stress tolerance was studied in postlarval Litopenaeus vannamei. An experiment was performed with postlarval shrimp (mean initial wet weight 1.2 mg) fed five isoenergic and isonitrogenous diets containing five supplemented levels of chitosan (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 g kg^?1 diet, respectively). The five compound diets (C0, C0.5, C1, C2 and C4) sustained shrimp growth throughout the experiment. Growth performance (final body weights; weight gain; SGR: specific growth rate) in shrimp fed diet C2 was significantly higher than that in shrimp fed diets C0, C0.5 and C1 (P < 0.05), diet C4 treatment provided intermediate growth result. The survival in shrimp fed diet C1 was significantly higher than that in shrimp fed C0 diet (P < 0.05), other diets treatments gave the intermediate survival results. No significant differences were found in growth and survival between diet C2 and C4 treatments. After 9 days of a stress tolerance test, survival in shrimp fed diets C1, C2 and C4 was significantly higher than that in shrimp fed diets C0 and C0.5. We concluded from this experiment that the incorporation of a moderate dietary chitosan was beneficial to the development of postlarval L. vannamei. Considering the effect of chitosan on both growth and survival of postlarval L. vannamei, second‐degree polynomial regression of SGR and survival indicated optimum supplement of dietary chitosan at 2.67 and 2.13 g kg^?1, respectively, so the level of chitosan supplemented in the diet should be between 2.13 and 2.67 g kg^?1.     

Biotic communities and feeding habits of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931) and Litopenaeus stylirostris (Stimpson 1974) in monoculture and polyculture semi-intensive ponds

Zooplankton, macrozoobenthos and feeding habits of Litopenaeus stylirostris and L. vannamei in monoculture and polyculture semi‐intensive experimental ponds were evaluated. Zooplankton was more abundant in monoculture of L. stylirostris (1002±670 organisms (org.) L^?1) than in monoculture of L. vannamei (470±37 org. L^?1), and polyculture (321±188 org. L^?1). The main zooplanktonic groups were polychaeta larvae, nauplii, copepods and polychaeta. Macrozoobenthos was more abundant in polyculture (6898±11 137 org. m^?2) compared with monoculture of L. stylirostris (3201±350 org. m^?2) and L. vannamei (2384±3752 org. m^?2). The main benthic groups were copepods, polychaeta, ostracods, nematodes and insects. Differences in feeding habits were found between species and regimes. Litopenaeus vannamei showed to be a more voracious species and fed mostly on organic detritus and benthos in both culture regimes. Litopenaeus stylirostris had a more restricted sources of feed in the ponds. The major component in the stomach content of both species was detritus. Macroalgae, sand, exuvia, formulated feed, prey and microalgae were minor components for both species (<7%). Ingestion of formulated feed was <4% for L. stylirostris and was not detected for L. vannamei. The stomach repletion rates were larger for L. vannamei (55.6% and 48.8%) than for L. stylirostris (43.75% and 44.89%). Litopenaeus stylirostris grew better in polyculture (10.3±3.4 g) that in monoculture (9.0±3.8 g). Litopenaeus vannamei grew better in monoculture (16.1±4.8 g) than in polyculture (13.4±4.5 g). For both species, feed conversion ratio was lower in polyculture.     

Effects of dietary marine microalgae,Tetraselmis suecica,on production,gene expression,protein markers and bacterial count of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

The marine flagellated Chlorophyta Tetraselmis suecica is among the most important live food species in marine aquaculture. In the present study, the effects of dietary supplementation of dried marine microalgae, Tetraselmis suecica, on growth performance; feed utilization; chemical composition; gene expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and insulin‐like growth factor 2 (IGF‐II) gene of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei; muscle protein polymorphism; and microbial count were assessed and evaluated. Three hundred and sixty L. vannamei (postlarvae) Pls (0.124 ± 0.002 g) were randomly stocked into 40‐L glass aquaria (30 shrimp/aquarium) and fed three times daily four tested diets: a basal diet (control), diet incorporated with 2.5 g kg^?1 dried T. suecica (T1), 5 g kg^?1 dried T. suecica (T2) and 7.5 g kg^?1 dried T. suecica (T3) in triplicates, for 90 days. At the end of the trial, the survival rate (SR) of L. vannamei fed diets supplemented with different levels of T. suecica was significantly (p < .05) higher than the control diet. The highest weight gain and specific growth rate and the best feed conversion ratio were recorded on L. vannamei fed a diet supplemented with a 7.5 g/kg dried T. suecica. The highest protein, lipid and ash contents were obtained in L. vannamei fed the diet containing 7.5 g/kg T. suecica, when compared with the remaining tested diets. The gene expression of antioxidant genes SOD and GPx was the lowest in the T3 group in comparison with the control group. Meanwhile, expression level of IGF‐II was higher in the T2 group. The total heterotrophic bacterial count was significantly (p < .05) increased with the cumulative T. suecica level, while no significant (p > .05) differences were found in the total Vibrio count among treatments. Overall, the present results have shown that the diet supplemented with the highest inclusion level of dried T. suecica resulted in improved growth and nutrient utilization.     

Studies of the Thermal and Haline Influences on Growth and Survival of Litopenaeus vannamei and Litopenaeus setiferus

A series of experiments were conducted to examine the effects of salinity (1–48 g/L) on the biological performance, as evaluated by growth and survival, of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, and the Atlantic white shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus, reared at temperatures of 20, 24 or 28 C. Poor growth and survival of L. vannamei was observed after 21–28 d of culture at low salinity (2 and 4 g/L) at 20 C. Raising salinity to 8 and up to 32 g/L significantly increased survival at this temperature, indicating that avoiding low temperatures is critical for survival of this species when reared at low salinity. A major improvement in the growth rate of L. vannamei was observed at 24 C, but it still was sub‐optimal compared to growth observed at 28 C. Irrespective of salinity, high survival rates were observed at both 24 and 28 C, but variable growth rates were recorded. Contrary to L. vannamei, the Atlantic white shrimp, L. setiferus, which was reared for 28 d at 24 C only, had better growth performance at 8 g/L compared to 2, 16 and 32 g/L. Under equal experimental conditions, L. setiferus had considerably lower weight gain and survival than L. vannamei.     

Effect of dietary lipid level on growth,lipid metabolism and health status of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei at two salinities

Three isonitrogenous diets containing 60 g kg^–1, 90 g kg^–1 or 120 g kg^–1 lipid were formulated and fed to the Litopenaeus vannamei (2.00 ± 0.08 g) under two salinities (25 or 3 psu) in triplicate for 8 weeks. Shrimp fed 90 g kg^–1 lipid had higher weight gain and specific growth rate than shrimp fed the other two diets regardless of salinity, and the hepatosomatic index increased with increasing dietary lipid at both salinities. The shrimp at 3 psu had significantly lower survival and ash content, higher condition factor, weight gain and specific growth rate than the shrimp at 25 psu. Increasing dietary lipid level induced the accumulation of serum MDA regardless of salinity, and at 3 psu, it reduced the serum GOT and GPT activities and the mRNA expression of TNF‐α in intestine and gill of L. vannamei. The hepatopancreatic triacylglycerol lipase (TGL) and CPT‐1 mRNA expression showed the highest value in shrimp fed 90 g kg^–1 lipid diet at 3 psu. This study indicates that 120 g kg^–1 dietary lipid may negatively affect the growth and induce oxidative damage in shrimp, but can improve immune defence at low salinity; 60 g kg^–1 dietary lipid cannot afford the growth and either has no positive impact on the immunology for L. vannamei at 3 psu.     

Effects of dietary astaxanthin on growth,antioxidant capacity and gene expression in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (1050 individuals with initial weight of 1.01 ± 0.001 g) were fed either control diet or one of six dietary astaxanthin (AX) concentration (25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg kg⁻¹) diets for 56 days in 35 tanks (30 shrimp per tank). After 56 days of culture, shrimp‐fed AX125 and AX150 diets had higher (P < 0.05) weight gain, specific growth rate, total antioxidant status and lower (P < 0.05) superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) than shrimp fed control diet. After low dissolved oxygen stress for 1 h, survival rate of shrimp fed AX75, AX100, AX125 and AX150 diets was higher (P < 0.05) than that of shrimp fed control diet. Hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), cytosolic manganese superoxide dismutase (cMnSOD) and CAT mRNA expression levels of shrimp fed seven diets were significantly down‐regulated under hypoxia than under normoxia, but their expression levels were higher under hypoxia in shrimp fed AX‐supplemented diets than in shrimp fed control diet. About 70‐kDa heat‐shock protein (Hsp70) mRNA expression level of shrimp fed seven diets was significantly up‐regulated under hypoxia than under normoxia, but its expression level was lower under hypoxia in shrimp fed AX‐supplemented diets than in shrimp fed control diet.     

Effect of polysaccharides extracts of algae Ulva rigida on growth,antioxidant, immune response and resistance of shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei against Photobacterium damselae

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of water‐soluble polysaccharides extract of algae Ulva rigida (WPU) as dietary supplement on growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, lysozyme and phenoloxidase activity, and resistance of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) subjected to bacterial infection with Photobacterium damselae. Three replicate groups of shrimp (1.0 g) were fed four diets containing four levels, 0 or control, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg of WPU for 8 weeks over the growth trial. Thereafter, 30 shrimps from each dietary treatment were infected with bacteria P. damselae to evaluate disease resistance of infected shrimp. The results of this study showed that WPU was effective as a growth promoter for L. vannamei. The best growth rate was observed in shrimp fed 1.5 g/kg of WPU diet. Regarding antioxidant defences, the diets supplemented with three levels of WPU stimulated glutathione peroxidase and catalase activates in experimental shrimps. MDA content of L. vannamei‐fed diet containing WPU 1.5 and WPU 1.0 was lower than WPU 0 and WPU 0. 5 diets. Also, lysozyme and phenoloxidase activities of shrimp receiving WPU at 1.0 and 1.5 level were significantly higher than those fed WPU 0 and WPU 0.5 diets. In addition, using WPU extract in all diets decreased mortality in L. vannamei in a dose‐dependent manner after challenge with P. damselae. These results suggest that incorporation of water‐soluble polysaccharides from green algae U. rigida at 1.5 g/kg doses improves growth and antioxidant activity and enhances the immune responses in shrimp L. vannamei.     

The Effect of Low Salinity Water with Different Ionic Composition on the Growth and Survival of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) in Intensive Culture

The effects of four different ionic composition low salinity water (T₁, T₂, T₃, and T₄), on growth and survival of Litopenaeus vannamei marine shrimp juveniles were investigated. Shrimp culture in seawater (T_m) was used as control treatment. The results indicated that there were no significant difference (P < 0.05) in growth, survival, production, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of L. vannamei juveniles reared in the different treatments, but significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between each of them when compared with seawater (T_m). After 84 days, culture shrimp grew from 0.02 to 7.58 g in T₁. The lowest growth rate was attained in T₃ (0.57 g/week), in which potassium and calcium ions concentrations were the lowest (0.58 and 28.00 mg/L, respectively). The recorded survival rate (76.35% to 79.55%) is considered well for the 84 days growout period, although it was 7.6% lower than that recorded in the control treatment. Although there were no significant differences (P < 0.05) in growth with respect to the ionic composition of the four treatments, there was a trend of increasing growth in relation with the ionic ratio found in the seawater (T_m). This aspect should be evaluated more closely in future research.     

Effects of bioflocs on dietary protein requirement in juvenile whiteleg Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

A feeding trial was carried out to determine the effects of bioflocs on dietary protein requirement in juvenile whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Four bioflocs treatments (BFT) and one control group were managed: BFT fed diets 25% of crude protein (CP) (BFT‐25%), 30% CP (BFT‐30%), 35% CP (BFT‐35%) and 40% CP (BFT‐40%), and clear water control without bioflocs fed with 40% CP (CW‐40%). Triplicate groups of shrimp (initial body weight, 1.3 g) were fed one of the test diets at a ratio of 7% body weight daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (P < 0.05) higher weight gain and specific growth rate were obtained in shrimp fed BFT‐35% and BFT‐40% compared to BFT‐25% and BFT‐30%. Shrimp fed BFT‐35% exhibited the lowest feed conversion ratio. Significantly higher muscle nucleic acid indices were also recorded such as DNA content in BFT‐30%, RNA content in BFT‐35% and RNA/DNA ratio than that of shrimp fed control. Total protein level in the haemolymph of shrimp fed BFT‐40% was significantly higher than those of shrimp fed BFT‐25% and BFT‐30%. Therefore, the present results demonstrated that, when L. vannamei juveniles were reared in bioflocs‐based tanks, dietary protein level could be reduced from 40% to 35% without any adverse effect on shrimp growth performance, body composition and haemolymph characteristics. [Correction added on 20 May 2015, after first online publication: sentence modified to clarify the reduction in dietary protein level.].     

Trypsin enzyme activity during larval development of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) fed on live feeds

Larval stages of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) were fed standard live diets of mixed microalgae from the first to the third protozoea (PZ1 to PZ3), followed by Artemia nauplii until post‐larvae 1 (PL1). Trypsin enzyme activity for each larval stage was determined using N‐α‐p‐toluenesulphonyl‐l ‐arginine methyl ester (TAME) as a substrate. Results were expressed as enzyme content to assess ontogenetic changes during larval development. Tissue trypsin content (IU µg^?1 DW for each larval stage) was significantly highest at the PZ1 stage and declined through subsequent stages to PL1. This contrasts with previously observed patterns of trypsin development in Litopenaeus setiferus (Linnaeus) and other penaeid genera, which exhibit a peak in trypsin activity at the third protozoea/first mysis (PZ3/M1) larval stage. Litopenaeus vannamei larvae transferred to a diet of Artemia at the beginning of the second protozoea (PZ2) stage were significantly heavier on reaching the first mysis stage (M1) than those fed algae, while survival was not significantly different between treatments. At both PZ2 and PZ3 stages, trypsin content in larvae feeding on Artemia was significantly lower than in those feeding on algae. The rapid decline in trypsin content from PZ1 and the flexible enzyme response from PZ2 suggest that L. vannamei is physiologically adapted to transfer to a more carnivorous diet during the mid‐protozoeal stages.     

Oral Administration of Hot‐water Extract of Tropical Brown Seaweed,Sargassum cristaefolium,to Enhance Immune Response,Stress Tolerance,and Resistance of White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,to Vibrio parahaemolyticus

The efficacy of hot‐water extract of tropical brown seaweed, Sargassum cristaefolium (SCE), supplemented in diets on immune response, stress tolerance, and disease resistance of Litopenaeus vannamei to Vibrio parahaemolyticus was evaluated. Shrimp were fed diets containing graded levels of SCE (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/kg). The results showed that shrimp fed all diets containing SCE had significantly higher (P < 0.05) immune response in total hemocyte count (THC), differential hemocyte count (granular and hyaline cells), and phagocytic activity than those of shrimp fed the control diet. Similarly, in low dissolved oxygen stress tolerance test and the challenge test with V. parahaemolyticus, survival rates of shrimp fed all diets containing SCE were significantly higher (P < 0.05) (83–93% in stress test and 27–47% in challenge test) than those of shrimp fed the control diet (77 and 3.3%, respectively). These results suggest that oral administration of SCE at 500 and 750 mg/kg can be effectively used to enhance immune response, stress tolerance, and resistance of white shrimp, L. vannamei, against V. parahaemolyticus infection. These findings also confirm that using dietary SCE as immunostimulant is effective at increasing the nonspecific immune system in penaeid shrimp, L. vannamei.     

Oxygen consumption and ammonia-N excretion related to protein requirements for growth of white shrimp, Penaeus setiferus (L.), juveniles

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of protein level on the growth rate, survival, pre- and postprandial oxygen consumption, and ammonia (N-NH₃) excretion in white shrimp. Penaeus setiferus (L.), juveniles. Diets containing 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% protein were provided at a proportion of 15% of the dry weight of shrimp weighing 0.19 ± 0.01g. The instantaneous growth rate was recorded for 45 days. The optimum protein level, in terms of the best growth rate, was that of the 30% protein diet (1.1 5g45days^?1). All shrimp fed with the diets had significantly higher respiration rates after feeding because of the apparent heat increment (AHI). A greater postprandial nitrogen excretion (PPNE) excretion was also observed after feeding. Shrimp maintained on the 30% protein diet had the lowest AHI and PPNE coefficients (percentage of ingested energyl. and took the least time to reach the oxygen consumption and nitrogen excretion peak. The 0:N ratios varied according to protein level, with higher values (32 and 44, fasting and Feeding, respectively) with a 30% protein diet, and lower values (10 and 13. fasting and feeding, respectively) with 10% and 50% protein diets. These results indicate that P. setiferus juveniles use protein when fed with high (50%) and low (10%) protein diets, and lipid-protein substrates with a 30% protein diet. Under these conditions, P. setiferus grow better with a 30% protein diet where shrimp use food more efficiently.     

Effects of supplementation of crystalline or coated methionine on growth performance and feed utilization of the pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation of crystalline methionine or coated methionine supplemented in diets of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) on growth performance and feed utilization. Five iso‐nitrogen and iso‐caloric diets were prepared in which diets were supplemented with cellulose‐acetate‐phthalate (CAP), tripalmitin‐polyvinyl alcohol (TPA), acrylic resin (RES) coated l ‐methionine, hydroxyl‐methionine calcium (MHA) and crystalline l ‐methionine diet (MET, control), respectively. After 7 weeks, shrimp (0.81 ± 0.01 g in initial body weight) weight gain fed with MET and RES diets were significantly higher than that of the others (P < 0.05), while feed conversion ratio of shrimp fed with RES was significantly lower than the others (P < 0.05). Crude protein (as wet weight basis) in whole body of shrimp fed the RES diet was markedly higher than the others (P < 0.05). Methionine contents in muscle of CAP and MHA groups were significantly higher than those of MET group (P < 0.05). Apparently digestibility for essential amino acid of MET group was the highest except methionine. In the present study, RES coating methionine appeared to effectively improve feed protein utilization and enhance growth performance of Pacific white shrimp fed with low fishmeal practical diet.     

The effect of dietary protein and total energy content on digestive enzyme activities, growth and survival of Litopenaeus setiferus (Linnaeus 1767) postlarvae

The effect of dietary protein and energy content on the activity of digestive enzymes (total proteinases, trypsin, chymotrypsin α‐amylase and lipase), and growth and survival of Litopenaeus setiferus postlarvae was investigated under controlled conditions. There was a clear relationship between the diet fed to the postlarvae, growth and survival. Highest weight gain (2110 ± 96.7%) was obtained with a 400 g kg^?1 protein and low energy diet (13.9 kJ g^?1) (P < 0.05). The optimal protein to energy ratio (P/E) estimated was 28.8 mg of protein kJ^?1. Good survival was obtained with low energy diets containing between 200 and 400 g kg^?1 protein and with high energy diets containing 300–500 g kg^?1 protein. Higher values for total proteinases, trypsin and α‐amylase were obtained with the low energy, 400 g kg^?1 protein diet. Chymotryptic activity was considerably lower than that of other proteinases and lipase activity was too low to be reliably measured with the turbidimetric method employed. Total proteinase activity was significantly lower than in experimentally grown postlarvae. The α‐amylase activity was at least two orders of magnitude higher in wild postlarvae than in animals fed with the best experimental diet. Protein requirement was related to total energy content of the diet: best growth and digestive enzyme activity coincide with the low energy, 400 g kg^?1 protein diet. These results suggest that dietary carbohydrates cannot spare protein because growth rates obtained with diets containing 200–300 g kg^?1 protein (337 and 226 g kg^?1 dextrin content, respectively) were significantly lowered.