Determination of optimum levels of energy and protein on pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) deit at marketing stage

Abstract

To investigate an economical diet for white pacific prawn (Litopenaeus vannamei) rearing coastal zones of south Iran, 9 experimental diets were prepared considering three protein (37%, 37%, 40% CP) and three digestible energy (262, 312, 362 kcal. 100g-1 DE) levels, using herbal protein source (soybean meal) as main protein source for the diets. 27 polyethylene round tanks (300 L volume) provided with aerated flow-through water system, stocked with …juvenile shrimps (9.16 ± 0.05 g mean weight) were applied to evaluate the growth performance of the shrimps and feed efficiency parameters of the diets for 8 weeks rearing period in an in-door experimental system. Results showed the diets were significantly different (P≤0.05)in the terms of growth performance and diet efficiency the shrimp, while the best obtaining observed in diet 1 (34% CP and 262 kcal. 100g-1 DE). Average of weight gain was ranged from 4.58 ± 0.52 g in Diet 9 up to 6.88 ± 0.81 g in diet one, SGR was from 0.73 ± 0.06 in diet 9 to 1.00 ± 0.09 in diet one, survival was from 75.00 ± 7.07 % in diet 9 to 95.00 ± 5.00 % in diet one and FCR was from 5.02 ± 0.94 in diet one to 8.24 ± 1.59 in diet 9. Diets did not effectively influenced the body composition of the shrimp (P>0.05). According to the results of the present study, 34% Cp and 262 kcal. 100g-1 DE could be suggested as suitable levels to be considered in the diet of the white pacific prawn in the grow-out stage.