Aquaculture America 2026

February 16 - 19, 2026

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Add To Calendar 17/02/2026 12:15:0017/02/2026 12:35:00America/Los_AngelesAquaculture America 2026EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FEEDING PROTOCOLS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AT EARLY AND LATE GROWTH STAGES OF PACIFIC WHITE SHRIMPConcorde BThe World Aquaculture Societyjohnc@was.orgfalseDD/MM/YYYYanrl65yqlzh3g1q0dme13067

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FEEDING PROTOCOLS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AT EARLY AND LATE GROWTH STAGES OF PACIFIC WHITE SHRIMP

Arnold J. Gutierrez*, Jairo A. Gonzalez, Babatunde Saliu, Fabio Ulisses Ramos, Melanie A. Rhodes, Julio C. García, Luke A. Roy, and D. Allen Davis

School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences

Auburn University

Auburn, AL 36849

ajg0136@auburn.edu

 



Feed management plays a crucial factor affecting shrimp growth and production efficiency in aquaculture. Feed costs typically represent 40-60% of variable cost in shrimp production, highlighting the economic importance of optimizing feeds and feeding strategies. Evaluation of feed management during earlier culture phases is critical as it sets the stage for growth in following developmental stages, while optimizing feeding at later stages is crucial to improve economic returns as higher feed inputs are commonly dispensed. Based on this, two trials were conducted to evaluate different feeding protocols at different production stages under consistent rearing and water quality conditions. In the first trial, shrimp (0.07 ± 0.01 g) were cultured over four weeks and stocked at 28 shrimp/m³ in a thirty-two-polyethylene tank (805 L) green water system with brackish water (9.28 ± 0.35 ppt). Eight SFP variations were evaluated (40%, 70%, 85%, 100%, 110%, 115%, 120%, 130%). Shrimp were hand-fed four times a day with a 1.5 mm diet (40% protein, 9% lipid) for two weeks; a 2.4 mm diet (35% protein, 7% lipid) was used afterwards. Ten shrimp were randomly sampled weekly per replicate to estimate growth. In the second trial, shrimp (14.01 ± 0.37 g) were fed a 2.44 mm diet (35% protein, 7% lipid) over seven weeks; rearing conditions and treatments were the same. Most growth performance parameters showed significant differences. In the first trial, final biomass, weight gain, weekly weight gain, final weight, TGC, and FCR were affected, although final biomass was similar among 85–130% treatments. Smaller shrimp had higher FCR, suggesting higher impact on later growth. In young adults, feeding above SFP (100%) showed no growth change, suggesting a maximum feeding point where extra feed may increase costs. In the second trial, weekly weight gain, weight gain, SGR, TGC, and final weight were significant (p < 0.05), while FCR was unaffected (p > 0.05). Severe feed restriction (SFP-60%) had the lowest final biomass, whereas SFP and overfeeding treatments had similar final biomass. Overall, feeding beyond SFP did not increase biomass and may affect feed costs.