Growth, metabolic rate, and digestive enzyme activity in the white shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus early postlarvae fed different diets

Growth rate, soluble-protein content, oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion , and digestive-enzyme activity were studied in Litopenaeus setiferus early postlarvae under four feeding regimens that included combinations of fresh ly hatched Artemia nauplii, microparticulate commercial diet, and algae. Gr owth and of postlarvae fed a mixed diet were significantly higher. Artifici al diet used alone caused the lowest growth, lowest soluble-protein content , higher ammonia excretion, lowest O:N ratio, and higher proteolytic and am ylase activities. The artificial diet stimulated proteolytic activity and a mmonia excretion of postlarvae, apparently in response to some deficiency i n protein composition of the diet. Based on results in growth, soluble-prot ein content, enzymatic activity, and metabolic substrate, we determined tha t partial substitution of Artemia nauplii by artificial diet, with or witho ut addition of algae when rearing early postlarval stages, will benefit the growth and nutritional state of L. setiferus postlarvae. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.