Growth response of juvenile shrimp <i>Penaeus merguiensis</i> (Eucarida/Crustacea) to feeds containing different protein sources

Abstract

A thirty day feeding trial was conducted on Penaeus merguiensis de Man with thirteen formulated feeds to evaluate different plant and animal protein sources. The feeds were tested for their stability and shrimps were analysed for their proximate composition. The shrimps were found to utilize animal protein sources better than plant protein sources and the highest gain in production was obtained in shrimps fed with a mixture of both plant and animal protein sources. Soybean gave a relatively lower food conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio. Multiprotein feeds are better utilized by shrimps than those containing single protein. The source of protein was found to affect the deposition of nutrients in the shrimp muscle.