Growth Response of Pink Shrimp Penaeus notialis (Perez Far Fante) to Protein enhanced Diets

Abstract

Artificial feeds of different protein levels (20%, 30% and 40%) were formulated and prepared using locally available Agro Industrial By-Products (AIBPs) such as wheat bran, soybean meal, groundnut cake, fish meal, premix and cassava starch. Prepared feeds were fed to three populations of Penaeus notialis Post Larval Shrimps (PLs) under semi-intensive pond conditions for a 24 week culture period. PLs were fed a daily ration administered six hourly at the rate of 10%, 8%, 6%, 4%, and 2%, biomass/body weight. These rates were changed monthly in that order. There was regular water exchange and environmental monitoring. At the end of the culture period of 24 weeks the final average body weights gained under the three different feed types, were: 12.72 g, 7.697 g and 6.982 g respectively for the 20%, 30% and 40% treatment. The respective growth rates were 12.7 g, 7.7 g and 7.0 g for the 24 week growth period. Analysis of variance using F-test showed that only 20% crude-protein feed gave a significantly different result at the 95% confidence level. With this growth rate of 12.7 g/24 week culture period and also with a recorded survival rate of 49%, two culture cycles could be undertaken in a year. For two croppings, a projected yield estimated at 1.29 mt/ha/yr could be obtained.