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.