Artemia nauplii are a foundational and essential component of larval and post-larval penaid shrimp production due to the favorable nutritional profile, digestibility, and free-swimming behavior. Partial replacement of Artemia nauplii with formulated feeds has been successful at reducing Artemia use rates, but attempts at complete replacement have led to nearly universally poor outcomes despite years of concentrated effort. The numerous inherent benefits of Artemia have remained distinct and irreplaceable, and improved shrimp survival and health is possible by increasing Artemia feeding rates above the levels currently in use in many areas.
Multiple trials were conducted over a multi-year period to examine the effects of increased feeding rates of Artemia nauplii on the survival and condition of whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). The trials occurred at multiple scales, from university experiments to commercial field trials, and across multiple global regions. Initial university trials found significantly improved survival with increased Artemia use rates through both the hatchery (PL15) and nursery (PL25) phases, as well as increased heat shock protein expression. Follow-up commercial-scale field trials resulted in higher survival, growth, and stress tolerance, and increased pond production in Mexico. A university-led experiment at the hatchery scale in Vietnam found significantly higher survival and much larger animal size at PL12. Commercial hatchery trials in Ecuador also resulted in higher survival and growth by PL12, and the potential for earlier harvesting. Taken together, these results demonstrate a substantial net benefit from greater Artemia use which could lead to improved revenue for hatchery and nursery operators.