Nutrition of Litopenaeus vannamei reared in tanks or in ponds

(T)he Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) is the most important shrimp species cultivated in the Americas. More than 90% of the shrimp cultivated in 1998 on the American continent (132000 tons) was L. vannamei. L. vannamei is the species cultivated especially in Ecuador and Mexico. Its growth potential is quite good and it is a hardy species in spite of virus diseases, such as IHHN or, to a certain extent, other pathogens such as WSSv (depending on pond management). Regarding feed, it represents the species with the best opportunity at reduced protein level; plant protein and carbohydrates available in their habitat to be channeled into tissue. A review of some requirements of juveniles is provided while emphasis is put on cost reduction, pond utilization and, generally speaking, on sustainable production. From an experimental point of view, nutritional requirements for protein, copper, zinc, calcium, phosphorous and some vitamins are examined based on data accumulated by Texas A&M, Ifremer/COP/Tahiti, Ifremer/Brest, UNAM/Mexico, and several other research centers. Pond production results are extended to pens or ponds as well as to some feeding aspects in large semi-intensive ponds or super-intensive conditions. Experiments conducted with a bacterial flock (moulinettes) evidenced the beneficial role of bacteria. If temperature is around 27 degreesC, it is feasible to target for a double crop a year. A well-balanced feed, in super-intensive culture is achieved without use of additives (probiotics, immunostimulants). L. vannamei is the species in which most research has been concentrated to understand better shrimp nutrition and physiology, and in which the relationship between nutrition and genetics can currently be studied thanks to the existence of highly inbred strains. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.