Effects of dietary phosphorus level and inorganic source on survival and growth of Penaeus vannamei postlarvae in zero-water exchange culture tanks

¹ Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University System, Shrimp Mariculture Research, 1300 Port St., Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
² Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843, USA

Received: 30 July 1997
Accepted: 16 December 1997

Abstract

Zero-water exchange culture tanks were stocked with Penaeus vannamei postlarvae to compare the effects of (i) three dietary phosphorus levels: 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 %, and (ii) three dietary inorganic phosphorus sources: CaHPO₄, Na₂HPO₄ and NaH₂PO₄, on postlarvae biological performance, and total reactive phosphorus accumulation in the water (TRPAW). Dietary Ca:P ratio was maintained within a 1:1 to 1:2 ratio. Postlarvae survival was high and not significantly different among treatments. Postlarvae growth was not significantly different, regardless of dietary phosphorus level. TRPAW was significantly higher with increasing level of dietary phosphorus. Dietary inorganic phosphorus source did not have a significant effect on postlarvae growth. No significant differences were found on TRPAW between diets with Na₂HPO₄ and NaH₂PO₄ supplementation at equal dietary phosphorus level. TRPAW was significantly lower with CaHPO₄ than with Na₂HPO₄ or NaH₂PO₄ supplementation at equal dietary phosphorus level. Environmental quality of culture water may be greatly modified through nutritional strategies without negatively affecting shrimp biological performance.