Effect of Diet Protein on Food Conversion and Nitrogen Discharge during Semi-Intensive Production of Penaeus vannamei during the Dry Season

Results of previous research have demonstrated that shrimp production is similar at protein levels ranging from 20 to 40%, when shrimp are stocked at densities ranging from 5 to 11/m2 (TeichertCoddington and Rodriguez, 1995a). These results indicated that shrimp stocked at semi-intensive levels did not require diets containing high levels of protein. However, some think that food conversion can be improved if a high-protein diet is employed. In order for food conversion to be improved, shrimp would either need to have better growth rates with the high-protein diet, or similar growth rates with less feed. A prior feed trial in Choluteca with shrimp stocked at 7.5/m2 demonstrated that production during the dry season was not significantly affected by a 50% reduction in the feeding rate (Teichert-Coddington and Rodriguez, 1995b). Wet season production was significantly impacted by the 50% reduction in feeding although feeding efficiency was improved (Teichert-Coddington and Rodriguez, 1995b). These results indicated that shrimp were overfed normally during the dry season and that wet season rates could potentially be reduced although not cut in half. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of dietary protein and feeding rate on feed conversion and nitrogen discharge in the semi-intensive production of Penaeus vannamei.