Effects of different levels of live food replacement with microdiet on growth factors, survival and resistance to salinity stress of Indian white shrimp post-larvae (Fenneropenaeus indicus)

In this study, partial and complete replacement of live food (Artemia nauplii) with a microdiet was investigated in post-larval Indian white shrimp, Fenneropenaeus indicus. Post-larvae (PL₁) were stocked into nine 20-L vessels (5-L water volume) at a density of 50 L^-1. Shrimp were fed six times a day over 10 days. At the end of the feeding period, there was no significant difference in quality index (stress-test survival) among treatments. Statistical analysis of results showed that partial or complete replacement of live food with microdiet significantly decreased survival, total length, carapace length, weight, growth rate, performance index, and the number of spines in upper rostrum of the post-larvae. However, substitution of live food with microdiet had no negative effects on resistance to salinity stress. These results showed that the commercial microdiet used in this study is not a good replacement of live food; further studies are required to determine the nutritional requirements of Indian white shrimp larvae and post-larvae before microdiets can be utilized effectively.