Productivity improvement of Lysmata seticaudata (Risso, 1816) larval rearing protocol through modelling

The Monaco shrimp Lysmata seticaudata (Risso, 1816) is a marine ornamental species whose ecology and biology, as well as its larval culture has previously been addressed. The objective of the study was to predict and improve productivity of this species rearing protocol through modelling. The models developed intend to help aquaculturists to maximize survival to postlarva, decrease larval duration and increase synchronism of metamorphosis and newly metamorphosed postlarvae size by manipulating temperature, diet, first feeding period and stocking density.The models developed allow us to conclude that the L. seticaudata rearing protocol productivity can be improved by raising larvae at a density of 40 larvae L^− 1 and fed newly hatched Artemia nauplii since hatching to zoea V, and with Algamac 2000™ enriched Artemia metanauplii from zoea V to metamorphosis to postlarvae.By providing more productive protocols to aquaculturists, destructive practices and wild collection may be reduced.     

Optimal first feed organism for South African mud crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scylla serrata</Emphasis> (Forskål) larvae

It is not known whether rotifers or Artemia nauplii are the best first food for South African mud crab Scylla serrata larvae. In order to test this, larvae were fed with five different test diets. These were rotifers for the first 8 days and newly hatched EG^® type Artemia nauplii (San Francisco Bay) from day 6 onwards (treatment R6A); newly hatched EG^® type Artemia nauplii throughout the rearing period (treatment EG); newly hatched Vinh-Chau strain (Vietnam) Artemia nauplii throughout the rearing period (treatment VC); decapsulated cysts of EG^® type Artemia throughout the rearing period (treatment DECAP); or decapsulated cysts supplemented with low densities of Artemia EG type Artemia nauplii (treatment MIX). Two experiments were conducted approximately 1 month apart using larvae from two different female crabs. Although results showed it is possible to rear S. serrata larvae through metamorphosis on Artemia nauplii exclusively, larval performance (development, survival and successful metamorphosis) was enhanced by the inclusion of rotifers as a first feed.No significant difference in performance was recorded between larvae fed on the two strains of Artemia nauplii. Larvae fed on decapsulated cysts in treatments DECAP and MIX performed poorly, but there were indications that decapsulated cysts and other inert diets may have potential as supplements to live food in the rearing of S. serrata larvae.     

Baseline culture parameters for the cyclopoid copepod Oithona colcarva: a potential new live feed for marine fish larviculture

Feeding copepods during early larval culture stages of marine fish has proven to be advantageous for growth and survival of marine finfish larvae. However, commercial availability of most copepods is limited; thus, there is an impetus to evaluate promising copepod species to meet the diverse dietary demands of various marine fish. The marine cyclopoid copepod, Oithona colcarva, was isolated out of zooplankton samples taken from waters within Tampa Bay, Florida. Once isolated, trials were conducted to determine the appropriate culture parameters for producing nauplii to feed marine fish larvae. The effects of temperature (22°C, 26°C and 30°C), salinity (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 g L^?1), stocking density (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 individuals mL^?1) and diet (Nanno 3600 microalgae paste, Colurella adriatica, Rhodomonas lens, Tisochrysis lutea, Chaetoceros gracilis and/or Tetraselmis chuii) on nauplii production during a single life cycle of reproducing individuals were examined. Results of those trials indicated that a culture temperature of 30°C and a salinity of 30 g L^?1 were advantageous for maximum nauplii production. Furthermore, a diet containing a 1:1:1 mixture of T. lutea, C. gracilis and T. chuii and a stocking density of at least 8 individuals mL^?1 were identified as beneficial. The results of these trials, the potential for large‐scale culture and observations on the performance of marine fish larvae fed Oithona colcarva nauplii are discussed.     

Brachionus vs Artemia duel: Optimizing first feeding of Upogebia pusilla (Decapoda: Thalassinidea) larvae

Larval rearing of many marine organisms is dependent on the availability of live food. The aim of this study was to optimize larval first feeding for the mud shrimp Upogebia pusilla, by comparing the effectiveness of the two most commonly used live feeds: Brachionus plicatilis and Artemia sp. nauplii. Survival, larval duration, molt synchronism and megalop size were compared using five feeding treatments: Artemia from zoea I to IV (B0), Brachionus during zoea I and Artemia from zoea II to IV (B1), Brachionus during zoea I and II and Artemia during zoea III and IV (B2), Brachionus from zoea I to III and Artemia during zoea IV (B3) and Brachionus from zoea I to IV (B4). The proportion of larvae that reached the megalop stage was 0.00% in treatment B0, 3.33% in treatment B1, 33.33% in treatment B2, 66.67% in treatment B3 and 76.67% in treatment B4. Larvae fed on rotifers until zoea III or zoea IV stages had a higher survival but no differences were found either in time to reach megalop or in megalop size. This study demonstrates that rotifers are essential for the survival and development of U. pusilla early larval stages but that rotifers can be successfully replaced by Artemia nauplii in the zoea IV stage.     

Effect of feeding scheme and prey density on survival and development of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis zoea larvae

The effect of feeding scheme and prey density on survival and development of Eriocheir sinensis zoea larvae was studied in three experiments. Different combinations and densities of rotifers (Brachionus rotundiformis) and newly hatched Artemia nauplii were fed to zoea larvae. Average survival at each stage, larval development (larval stage index, LSI), duration of zoeal stage and individual megalopa dry weight were compared among treatments. This study revealed that, under the experimental conditions, rotifers should be replaced with Artemia between the zoea 3 (Z3) and the zoea 4 (Z4) stage. The optimal rotifer feeding densities for zoea 1 (Z1) and zoea 2 (Z2) were 15 and 20 mL^?1 respectively, while the optimal Artemia feeding density for Z3, Z4 and zoea 5 (Z5) was 3, 5 and 8 mL^?1 respectively. Further trials in production scale are recommended.     

The larval rearing of the marine ornamental crab, Mithraculus forceps (A. Milne Edwards, 1875) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Majidae)

The goal of this study is to develop a larviculture protocol for Mithraculus forceps, a popular marine aquarium species. Different temperatures (25±0.5°C and 28±0.5°C), stocking densities (10, 20, 40 and 80 larvae L^?1), prey densities (newly hatched Artemia of 1, 4, 7 and 12 nauplii mL^?1) and metamorphosis to crab conditions (Systems A and B) were tested. The best survivorship and faster development were obtained when the larvae were reared at a density of 40 larvae L^?1 for 7 days post hatching (DPH) in System A, at 28°C and fed with 7 mL^?1 of newly hatched Artemia nauplii. After 7 DPH all the megalopa were moved to System B and the same temperature and prey density were maintained. At the end of the experiment, 12 DPH, survivorship of 74.1±4.8% was obtained.     

Variations in Bacterial Community of Rearing Water and Gut of Common Dentex,Dentex dentex (Linnaeus 1758), Larvae Using Three Microalgae Management Approaches

Microorganisms present in the rearing water colonize the gut of first feeding larvae and represent the first barrier against opportunistic pathogens. The aim of the experiments presented herein was to standardize a protocol for the management of rearing water and microalgae suitable for the larval rearing of common dentex. In Experiment 1, bacteria–algae interactions were tested using a monospecific microalgal community, Tetraselmis chuii, suitable for nutritional experiments and with known antibacterial activity. In Experiment 2, the evolution of the bacterial community and larval performance (growth and survival) were monitored daily, in three conditions: (1) mature water: T. chuii was added 5 d before the rearing of common dentex larvae, (2) green water: T. chuii was added 1 d before, and (3) clear water: no T. chuii addition. The results show the influence of the presence of T. chuii on the evolution of the bacterial communities, both in terms of bacterial density and morphology, and indicate green water is the most suitable water treatment for management of larval rearing for common dentex.     

Effect of Rearing Density and Feeding Regimes on Growth and Survival of African Catfish,Heterobranchus longifilis (Valenceinnes, 1840) Larvae in a Closed Recirculating Aquaculture System

Heterobranchus longifilis larvae were reared over a 35 d period to evaluate the effects of stocking densities and feeding regimes on growth and survival. In experiment 1, larvae (12.3?±?2.1 mg) were stocked into glass aquaria at densities of 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 larvae L^?1. Larvae were fed on Artemia nauplii ad libitum. Significant variations in terms of growth performance and feed utilization occurred at all levels of density treatments. Specific growth rate (SGR), body weight gain (BWG), and feed efficiency (FE) of the larvae decreased significantly as density increased. However, survival rate increased with the increase of stocking density. In experiment 2, larvae (13.4?±?1.1 mg) stocked at a density of 15 larvae L^?1, in the same conditions as experiment 1, were fed on three different regimes: Artemia nauplii; 35%?protein beef brain; and 35%?protein commercial catfish feed (CN⁺). SGR, BWG, and coefficient of variation (CV) of larvae fed on Artemia nauplii were significantly higher than those fed on beef brain and CN⁺. The survival rate of larvae fed on beef brain was significantly higher (88.40?±?9.75%) than those of Artemia (69.21?±?6.69%) and CN⁺ (40.40?±?6.22%). The results of this study suggest that the optimum stocking density is 15 larvae L^?1 and the beef brain can be used as alternative feed to Artemia in rearing H. longifilis larvae.     

Improved hatchery‐rearing techniques for juvenile production of blue swimming crab,Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The effects of tank colour, larval stocking density, antibiotic administration and water exchange on survival and moulting of blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus, were determined. Circular 4‐m³ experimental larval‐rearing tanks were used in triplicate for all treatments. White, dark grey, blue and brown were tested as tank background colours. The stocking densities tested were 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 larvae L^?1. The effect of oxytetracycline was estimated by comparing a treatment with oxytetracycline to a treatment without oxytetracycline administration. The daily water exchange rates tested were 0%, 25%, 50% and 100% of the tank volume. In all treatments, the larvae were fed with Artemia nauplii, rotifers and encapsulated Spirulina. The highest percentage survival was observed in the dark‐grey tanks when the stocking density of larvae was 20 larvae L^?1. No larva reached the juvenile crab size in white tanks. No significant difference in survival was found between treated and non‐treated larvae with oxytetracycline when the daily water exchange rate was more than 50%.     

Improvements in larviculture of Crangon crangon as a step towards its commercial aquaculture

The European brown shrimp, Crangon crangon, is a highly valued commercial species in Europe. These shrimp fisheries are characterized by strong seasonal variations in average landings. Attempts to ‘catch and hold’ wild adults in land‐based rearing systems have been proven to be very difficult, due to inadequate feed, slow growth and high mortality. In this study, we have optimized design and operation procedures of a small‐scale static larval rearing system for the culture of C. crangon larvae. Focus was on optimizing larval survival via water temperature, feed selection, feeding regime and density. This is the first report that shows that C. crangon larvae can be reared at high densities of 300 larvae L^‐1 with high survival of 73.5 (± 5.4)% under laboratory conditions. In these systems, larvae can be fed exclusively Artemia nauplii according to a feeding regime which is adjusted based on major moulting events. Addition of microalgae may further increase survival by 10%. The information gathered during this research can be applied to further optimize larval development in either flow‐through or recirculation systems.     

Growth, survival and biochemical composition of spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Balss, 1922) (Decapoda: Majidae) larvae reared under different stocking densities, prey:larva ratios and diets

The spider crab Maja brachydactyla is overexploited on the NW coast of Spain. Aquaculture of this species can be the solution to the problem, and consequently, several attempts of intensive larval rearing have been conducted. However, most of the studies already published do not provide enough zoo technical data, especially in terms of larval and prey densities or the nutritional quality of diets used for rearing.Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the conditions for intensive larval rearing of M. brachydactyla. Larval stocking density (10, 50 and 100 larvae L^− 1), prey:larva ratio (15, 30 and 60 enriched Artemia larva^− 1) and diet (enriched Artemia, non-enriched Artemia and polychaete supplement) effects on growth and survival of this species were studied. For larval culture nine, 35 L, 150 μm mesh-bottomed PVC cylinders (triplicates for each treatment and larval stage) connected to a recirculation unit, were used. Temperature and salinity were kept constant at 18 °C and 36‰ respectively. A 12 to 18 day trial was conducted for each experiment and samples of larvae were collected at each larval stage (zoea I, zoea II, megalopa) in the inter-molt phase and at first juvenile. Survival, carapace length and width, dry weight (DW), and proximate biochemical content (protein, carbohydrates and total lipid) as well as lipid class composition were determined.Stocking densities of 100 larvae L^− 1 resulted in higher growth in DW and higher content in lipids and protein for zoea I (ZI) and zoea II (ZII) than 10 larvae L^− 1. However, survival decreased with increasing stocking density.The use of 60 preys larva^− 1 produced larvae with significantly higher DW and protein content, especially at ZII stage, than lower prey densities. Survival rate obtained feeding 60 preys larva^− 1 up to the megalopa stage was almost two-fold (42.2%) the rate obtained using 15 preys larva^− 1 (24.8%).Larvae fed on enriched Artemia (EA) showed an increase in weight up to megalopa (518.9 ± 26.5 μg) in contrast to larvae fed on non-enriched prey (A) (467.9 ± 6.9 μg). Variation in DW correlated with the total lipid content (L) of the larvae (L_EA = 70.1 ± 37.5 μg ind^− 1; L_A = 28.9 ± 3.2 μg ind^− 1) especially in terms of neutral lipids. The use of an initial density of at least 50 larvae L^− 1 and 60 enriched Artemia larva^− 1 can be considered the most adequate rearing parameters in order to obtain good results in growth and survival of M. brachydactyla.     

Survival of blue king crab Paralithodes platypus Brandt, 1850, larvae in cultivation: effects of diet, temperature and rearing density

Blue king crab (Paralithodes platypus) larvae were cultivated to test the effects of diet, temperature and rearing density. Dietary treatments included no feeding (unfed), Artemia nauplii enriched with diatoms Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii (THAL), unenriched Artemia fed in addition to Thalassiosira (A+THAL) and a control diet of Artemia enriched with frozen Isochrysis paste (ISO 6). Trials were conducted at 6 °C, and a rearing density of 10 zoea L^?1, with six replicates per treatment. The ISO 6 diet was also tested at 3 °C (ISO 3) and 9 °C (ISO 9), and at densities of 20 (ISO 20) and 40 (ISO 40) zoea L^?1. Survival of zoea larvae fed the A+THAL diet (91.7%) was significantly higher than all others, whereas unfed zoea larvae died within 2 weeks. Temperature and rearing density had no significant effects on survival. Time required to reach stage C1 was significantly greater at 3 °C (109 days) than at 6 °C (70 days), but did not decrease further at 9 °C. After reaching the postlarval (glaucothoe) stage, half of the replicates in the ISO 20 and ISO 40 treatments were fed continuously, but survival did not differ significantly from unfed glaucothoe. We conclude that blue king crab larvae are not lecithotrophic and can be cultivated with high survival using the proper diet. These techniques can be used to produce large numbers of juvenile crab for laboratory research, or could be modified for use in stock‐enhancement programmes.     

Improved techniques for rearing mud crab Scylla paramamosain (Estampador 1949) larvae

A series of rearing trials in small 1 L cones and large tanks of 30–100 L were carried out to develop optimal rearing techniques for mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) larvae. Using water exchange (discontinuous partial water renewal or continuous treatment through biofiltration) and micro‐algae (Chlorella or Chaetoceros) supplementation (daily supplementation at 0.1–0.2 million cells mL⁻¹ or maintenance at 1–2 millions cells mL⁻¹), six different types of rearing systems were tried. The combination of a green‐water batch system for early stages and a recirculating system with micro‐algae supplementation for later stages resulted in the best overall performance of the crab larvae. No clear effects of crab stocking density (50–200 larvae L⁻¹) and rotifer (30–60 rotifers mL⁻¹) and Artemia density (10–20 L⁻¹) were observed. A stocking density of 100–150 zoea 1 (Z1) L⁻¹, combined with rotifer of 30–45 mL⁻¹ for early stages and Artemia feeding at 10–15 nauplii mL⁻¹ for Z3–Z5 seemed to produce the best performance of S. paramamosain larvae. Optimal rations for crab larvae should, however, be adjusted depending on the species, larval stage, larval status, prey size, rearing system and techniques. A practical feeding schedule could be to increase live food density from 30 to 45 rotifers mL⁻¹ from Z1 to Z2 and increase the number of Artemia nauplii mL⁻¹ from 10 to 15 from Z3 to Z5. Bacterial disease remains one of the key factors underlying the high mortality in the zoea stages. Further research to develop safe prophylactic treatments is therefore warranted. Combined with proper live food enrichment techniques, application of these findings has sustained a survival rate from Z1 to crab 1–2 stages in large rearing tanks of 10–15% (maximum 30%).     

Larval growth, survival and development of Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius) cultured in different salinities

Larvae of Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius) at protozoea 1 (PZ1) stage were stocked in 2‐L glass flasks to investigate the effects of various salinities (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 ppt) on growth and survival until the post‐larval (PL) stages. The PZ larvae were not able to tolerate a sudden salinity drop of over 10 ppt. Yet, an abrupt salinity increase of over 10 or even 15 ppt did not cause mortality. The PZ larvae were successfully acclimated to different test salinities at a rate of 4 ppt h^?1. The larvae displayed better tolerance to high rather than low salinities. The lowest and highest critical salinities appeared to be 22 and 55 ppt respectively. Taking into account survival, growth and development results, the optimal salinity for the larval culture of M. monoceros inhabiting the Eastern Mediterranean was 40 ppt. At this salinity, the PZ1 larvae were successfully cultured until PL1 stage within 11 days with 68% survival on a feeding regime of Tetraselmis chuii Kylin (Butcher) (20 cells μ L^?1), Chaetoceros calcitrans Paulsen (50 cells μ L^?1), Isochrysis galbana Parke (30 cells μL^?1) and five newly hatched Artemia nauplii mL^?1 from M1 onwards at 28 °C.     

The effect of stocking density on growth,survival and agonistic behaviour of African catfish

A high rate of sibling cannibalism is one of the principal obstacles in the rearing of larvae and juveniles of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus. This paper examines the underlying behavioural components of agonistic behaviour under culture conditions. Ten day old catfish larvae were stocked at 30 larvae l^–1 in three tank designs with different surface areas and equal volumes. Stocking densities were 1.2, 0.6 and 0.3 fish cm^–2 bottom surface. Growth did not differ between treatments. The highest mortality over 30 days was recorded at the medium density (0.6 larvae l^–1). Fish stocked at this density showed the highest rate of aggression, while there was no difference in aggression between the highest and the lowest stocking densities. The results indicate that stocking density should be at least as high as 1.2 larvae cm^–2 bottom surface area to obtain high production at best survival rates.     

Oxygen consumption and ingestion rate of Penaeus setiferus larvae fed Chaetoceros ceratosporum, Tetraselmis chuii and Artemia nauplii

The effects of the density and type of food on oxygen consumption and ingestion rate of larvae of the white shrimp Penaeus setiferus fed diatoms Chaetoceros ceratosporum, flagellates Tetraselmis chuii and Artemia franciscana nauplii were analysed. Diatoms, flagellates and Artemia nauplii were fed at five densities from 10 to 5 × 10³ cells mL^?1, 0 to 4 × 10³ cells mL^?1, and 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2 nauplii mL^?1, respectively. In three experiments, two of three types of food were maintained constant at concentrations of 30-40 × 10³ cells mL^?1 (diatoms), 2 × 10³ cells mL^?1 (flagellates) and 1 Artemia nauplii mL^?1. The oxygen consumption in three experiments increased with larval stage, reaching maximum values in Mill except at lower feed concentrations. A maximum ingestion peak in MI was recorded in larvae fed diatoms, whereas that peak was observed in Mil in larvae fed flagellates. The maximum ingestion rate of Artemia nauplii was observed in Mill. Feed concentrations that produced an optimum metabolic rate as a consequence of equilibrium between ingested food and larval stages were obtained with 20 and 30 × 10³ cells mL^?1 of C. ceratosporum, 2 and 3 × 10³ cells mL^?1 of T. chuii, and 1.0 Artemia nauplii mL^?1. These concentrations would be the most suitable for producing P. setiferus postlarvae.     

Dehydration is more effective for the control of embryonic development and larval hatching of Diplectanum aequans (Monogenea, Diplectanidae) than formalin and trichlorphon

Embryonic development and larval hatching of the monogenean Diplectanum aequans, gill parasite of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax, was studied in relation to different prophylactic treatments. Groups of eggs of D. aequans were submitted to different in vitro treatments: formalin (300 and 100 L L^–1 per 1 hour), Neguvon^® (trichlorphon 0.2 mg L^–1 per 48 hours) and dehydration for 4 and 8 hours. Percentages of hatched larvae, aborted larvae and undeveloped embryos were estimated in comparison with the control group. Results showed that 300 L L^–1 formalin and dehydration treatments were able to reduce larval hatching significantly, while Neguvon^® and 100 L L^–1 formalin treatments had no effect.     

Tench (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tinca tinca</Emphasis> L.) larvae rearing under controlled conditions: density and basic supply of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemia</Emphasis> nauplii as the sole food

After artificial reproduction of tench, larvae must be maintained indoors, and studies on rearing conditions are needed, focussing on the reduction of labour and costs. Three experiments on larvae (5th day post-hatch) were conducted for 25 days using Artemia nauplii as the sole food in order to determine basic feeding and density conditions during the first rearing period. Tench were maintained in 25 l fibreglass tanks, supplied with an artesian water flow throughout of 0.2 l min⁻¹. Water temperature was 22.5 ± 1°C, and the photoperiod was natural. Larvae fed on a restricted amount of nauplii reached high survival rates, even with the minimum of 50 nauplii larva⁻¹ day⁻¹. This amount of food may be sufficient at least for the first 25 days of exogenous feeding if fast growth is not the priority, and high densities can be maintained with good survival rates (over 90% up to 160 larvae l⁻¹ and 77% with 320 larvae l⁻¹). When food was supplied in excess once a day, high survival rates were achieved (91–97%), without differences among the densities tested. Animals at a density of 100 l⁻¹ reached the highest length (15.57 mm) and individual weight (46.8 mg). This growth is greater than those reported in studies feeding several times a day. It could be deduced that, while live food remains available for tench, it is not necessary to feed so frequently. Considering the relationship among the initial number of animals, final survival and growth and ration supplied, the new data reported here are useful to establish suitable stocking densities under both culture and experimental conditions.     

Does the presence of microalgae influence fish larvae prey capture?

The green water technique has been widely shown to improve fish larvae growth, survival and feed ingestion. Therefore, fish larvae (Sparus aurata L. and Solea senegalensis Kaup) feeding behaviour was studied through gut content analysis, when using different species of microalgae, as the ‘green water’ technique. Six treatments were used: Stain – food green stain; Tetra – microalgae Tetraselmis chuii; Iso – microalgae Isochrysis galbana; Tetra Sup –T. chuii supernatant (obtained from centrifugation); Phyto – a microalgae paste, Nannochloropsis oculata, (Phytobloom^®); and C water – clear water, as control. At 9, 16 and 23 days after hatching (DAH) for S. aurata, and 4, 9 and 14 DAH for S. senegalensis, 40 unfed fish larvae were transferred to 3 L experimental tanks, filled with the different ‘green water’ technique. Fish larvae were sampled 2 h after being fed with live prey, anaesthetized and fixed in buffered formaldehyde for posterior gut content determination. Feeding was evaluated by the feeding rate, percentage of larvae with prey items in the digestive tract and feeding intensity, number of prey in each larva digestive tract. Fish larvae feeding ability was influenced by the interaction between light conditions and substances provided by the presence of microalgae during fish larvae development. Sparus aurata was more dependent on microalgae addition than S. senegalensis larvae, which may be related to the type of prey, larval behaviour, ontogeny and physiology. The presence of microalgae influenced the selection of larger prey (Artemia over rotifers) by S. aurata aged 23 DAH.     

Growth, survival, quality and digestive enzyme activities of larval shrimp fed microencapsulated, mixed and live diets

An artificial diet for shrimp larvae was microencapsulated with a polysaccharide blend [66% gum arabic, 17% mesquite gum and 17% maltodextrin 10 dextrose equivalent (DE)]. Microencapsulated diet (MD) was fed to mysis alone, as a co‐feed with the microalgae Chaetoceros cerastosporum and Tetraselmis chuii (mixed) and compared with a live diet (control) of C. cerastosporum, T. chuii and Artemia nauplii. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were detected in growth rates, development and quality indexes of larvae fed the three experimental diets. All diets supported survival percentages of >90%. Shrimp larvae fed MD and mixed diets had higher specific trypsin activity and soluble protein content than those fed live diet. Amylase activity decreased in larvae fed the mixed and MD apparently due to the carbohydrate composition of the diet. The results indicate that it is possible to substitute a live diet with a microencapsulated one (with a wall composition made up of a polysaccharide blend) in Litopenaeus vannamei mysis.