The performance of juvenileLitopenaeus vannameifed commercial diets of differing protein content, in a super-intensive biofloc-dominated system

The effect of two commercial feeds of differing protein content, 35% or 40% (HI-35 and EXP), on Pacific White ShrimpLitopenaeus vannamei, performance, and system water quality were investigated. Juvenile shrimp were reared in six 40 m(3)indoor raceways containing biofloc-dominated water for 77 days. Performance of EXP-fed shrimp was superior for much of the trial. However, aVibriooutbreak constrained final production. Final survival was significantly higher (P< .05) with HI-35 (93.1 +/- 1.8%) than EXP (83.4 +/- 1.6%). No problematic heavy metal accumulation was observed in culture water or shrimp tissue. Higher feed protein content increased nitrite and nitrate concentrations (maximum of 3.6 mg L-1NO2-N and 401 mg L-1NO3-N in EXP), and alkalinity consumption. Both feeds supported high growth rates (>2 g week(-1)) and yields (7.79-8.21 kg m(-3)), demonstrating their suitability for shrimp culture in super-intensive, biofloc-dominated no exchange systems.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of two commercial feeds with different protein content on the performance and water quality of Pacific White ShrimpLitopenaeus vannamei. The results showed that the performance of shrimp fed with EXP feed was generally better, but a Vibrio outbreak limited the final production. Higher protein content in the feed resulted in increased nitrite and nitrate concentrations and alkalinity consumption. Both feeds were suitable for shrimp culture in super-intensive, biofloc-dominated no exchange systems.