Broodstock Nutrition of Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon)

Abstract

Pacific white and black tiger shrimp broodstocks require at least dietary 45 % protein, 10% lipid, 2% phospholipid and approximately 2% of highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) such as arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Other nutrients are vitamin E, vitamin C and pigment especially astaxanthin at ratios of 300-400, 800 and 250 mg/Kg feed, respectively. HUFA supplementation integrated with pigment or vitamin E shows positive interaction to reproduction. Artificial shrimp broodstock feed can replace fresh feed by only 50%, despite having similar nutrient patterns. Possibly, it contains less protein, ARA and EPA, also lacking hormone. Squid is most efficient fresh feed for enhancing reproduction because of containing high protein, ARA, EPA, DHA and cholesterol. However, integration of squid with various fresh feeds such as polychaete, a source of hormone benefits enhancing reproduction. Cost of fresh feed can be reduced by feeding broodstock with artificial feed at earlier culture period, then supplemented with fresh feed at the late period before spawning. Another method is partial replacing with Artemia biomass enriched with essential fatty acid, pigment, phytoplankton or herb.