CHAPTER-8 SHRIMP FEED MANAGEMENT

Fecding and feed managcment is one of the most important operational

functional functions in shrimp farming, as adequate food supply has to be
ensured to attain the cultured animals at desired harvesting size within the
targeted time frame. Feed is the largest operational cost of shrimp famling and
every effort should be made to ensure efficient utilization of feeds for growth.
It is thereforc necessary to have adequate knowledge of the feeds and feed
management for a successfiIi farm operation.

Types of shrimp feed

,. Natural feed

Natural food grows in shrimp pond after application of predator control

chcmicals and feJiilizcrs. These are mainly bluc green algae which fonn a
complex with the associated zooplankton. The natural feeds thus developed
are called 'Lab Lab and 'Lumut'. Lab Lab is benthic blue green algae. diatoms
and many other fOl1ns of plants. Lumut is composed of filamentous green
algae and many other forms of life.

Wetfeed

This type of feed can suppOJi a production up to 300 kgs/ha in

traditional farms. This comprises of fresh fish, mussels etc. and are
traditionally fed to the shrimps. These feeds are suitable in extensive fanning
but not in semi-intensive fanning because water quality is affected due to
disintegration of feed thereby creating unhealthy environment. Feed quality is
inconsistent and is not nutritionally balanced. Depending upon the seasonal
availability of the feed materials like, fishmeal, mussels etc, the price of feed
varies. This call not be stored for long period.

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Pellet feed

Having understood the feeding habits of shrimp and the role of feed in
the growth of shrimp and economics of culture, nutritionally balanced feed in
the fonn of pellets is used in semi-intensive and farming systems. The
advantages of pelletised feed are:

• Slow leaching of nutrients helps in maintenance of water quality.

• Can be well balanced with amino acids, vitamins, minerals and trace
elements for bctter growth.

• 3 to 4 hours water stability enables the animals to eat the feed well.

• Available in different shapes and sizes to suit different stages of

shrimp

The feed with consistent nutritional level can be purchased at a time

and shorted for a fairly long period.

Feed IIsed ill differellt farmillg systems.

Baseu on fecuing shrimp tanning can be mainly be uivideu into two typcs.

I. Traditional and extensive

2. Semi- intensivc and intensive

In semi-intensive and intensive types of fanning, pelletcd shrimp feed,

invariably produceu in feed mill, is useu. As the investment and expected
rctum and degree of managcment are of higher order, more amounts could be
spent on feeds. In the case of traditional anu extensive famls, the management
practice is in low profile and the investment is also low with a lower
production. In addition, use of raw material available in ditTerent locations
would facilitate in bringing down the cost of feed. From an analysis of the
protein, fat ancl other components of commercial feed, it could be seen that
increased protein contcnt alone does not result in bettcr growth of shrimps. 1\
comparison of the proximate composition of some of the commercial feeds

104
 show that feed which arc having lower protein level arc also giving batter
results as that of feed with higher protein contcnt and are commercially
accepted. General proximate protein and lipid content of a commercial shrimp
feed is given in table 8.1.

Tahle 8.1: Proximate Composition of Pelletised Feed Percentage

Designe Days of Shrimp Size & shape Moisture Proximate composi tion of feed
d name culture Weight of feed

Crude Crude Crude Ash

lipid tibre
protein

Post 1-20 PL20- Fine crumb Ics <10.5 >39 >3.5 <3.0 <16.0
Larval I'L45 (0.66-1.0 mm)

Starter 21-60 I-I 0 Coarse <10.5 >38 >3.5 <4.0 <17.0

gm crumbles
(Imm to 2
mm)

Grower 61-90 10-22 Pellet (2-3mm <10.5 >36 >3.5 <4.5 < 18.0
gm dia4-8 mm
long)

Finisher 91-120 22 gm- Pellet (2-3 < I 0.5 >36 >3.5 <4.5 <18.0 I
up mmdia~mm
long)

F eedillg habits

Generally shrimps are detritus feeders in nature. They accept a wide

variety of feed of both animal and vegetable origin. Shrimps have different
fceding habits at different stages of life cycle. During larval stages they feed
on phytoplankton and during PL thcy feed on small animals. Adult shrimps
fced on animals i.e. crustaceans, lintish, molluscs, polychactes, ophiuroids and
other slow-moving benthic organisms and organic matter settling at thc
bottom. Shrimps are nocturnal in habit mostly taking excess feed during night

105
 hours. They feed by holding the feed particles in their periopods 7 and take to
their bucal cavity and nibble slowly. Depending upon the feeding habit
shrimps are to be fed with phytoplankton, small b'Tanular and pelleted feeds.
For better management and resultant higher production of shrimps, pellct feed
is used. Feed takes about 60% of the production cost. Therefore, in modem
farming, feed managemcnt plays a dominant role both for increasing the
production as well as making the project commercially viable.

Feeding Programmes

Shrimps are fcd at a particular percentage of their body wcight ranging

from 10% at the initial shapes to 2% towards harvest. In order to calculate the
quantity of feed required as a percentage of standing crop, regular sampling
and assessment of standing crop is essential. Standing crop can be assessed by
cast net/wooden frame methods.

Table 8.2: A model feeding programme for P. 111011ot/on

Shrimp Mean Length Daily % feed No. of % feed Time

Aged Body.Wt. (cm) Growth Fccding- in lift control

-----
I -
0.-6
_.
Gms.
2
PLI5-PL20-
-~-
3.. .
1.3-2.0
GI11/day
4
---_._-
0.03
5- .... -
-
-.-~
/day
-----6 ...
3
nct
7
-
8
:,
Hours.

6-13 PL20-PL45 2.0-3.7 0.07 - 0

.J - -
13-30 1.0-3.0 3.7-6.0 0.17 10.0-8.0 4 - -
--------- -.-. --:;--
30-50 3.0-8.0 6.0-8.0 0.23 8.0-5.8 4 2.5 2.5
50-75 8.0-15.0 8.0-9.0 0.29 5.8-4.5 5 2.7 2.0
75-90 15-20 9.0-11.5 0.36 4.5-3.7 5 3.1 2.0
90-100 20-25 1.5-13 0.41. 3.7-3.3 5 3.5 2.0
100-110 25-30 13-14 0.45 3.3-2.9 5 3.8 1.5
110-120 30-33 14-15.5 0.50 2.9-2.5 6 4.0 1.5
120-130 33-37 15.5-16.0 0.55 2.5-2.2 6 4.1 1.5
130- 135 37-41 16.0-17.0 0.58 2.0 6 4.2 1.5

\vnlking legs

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Calculatio/l ofdai()'feed requiremellf

Daily feed requirement required Standing crop x percentage of feed

Example:-

Assume average wt 8 gms

Stocking density SO,OOO PL per ha

Survival rate 80%

% offecd 5.8

Therefore total feed required 64,000 try x S gms x 5.8 %

29.70kg

Table 8.3: Distribution of feed quantity per feeding

Feeding time Distribution 0 f Wt.of feed per Quantity of feed for

Feed !Ceding check trays (2.5%) in kg

6.00 25% 7.42 kgs O. I 8

- - -- _._- -- .. ~------ - _ .. - ._-- ...
I I .00 I 25% 7.42 kgs 0.1 X I
16.30 20% 5.94 kgs 0.14

22.00 30% 8.91 kgs 0.22

I -4% of !Ced from the total weight of the feed is deducted bdore feeding
and distributed equally to every feeding tray of the pond. Remaining feed is
broadcast into the pond.

Feed broadcast distallce

Feed is always broadcasted throughout the pond. Depending upon the

stocking, the distance for the broadcast froIll the bund must be varied as detailed
below.

107
~ ---~-------- ---·----~c-

Stocking density offi'y per hectare Broadcasting distance from the dike

1,00,000 and below 1.0 mt

1,50,000 1.5 mt

2,00,000 2.0 mt

Feet! trays or check trays or umbrella lIets

To assess the feeding and to save feed from wastage and further
deterioration and to increase profitability in culture, feed trays are kept along the
periphery of the ponds.

Feed trays are generally 2'x 2' feet nets with frame (Fig 8.1 & Plate-43)
with a tloat for identification location,

Fig, A feeding/check tray

A pond of I h3 size would need 4-6 feeding trays. About 1-4 % of daily
ration is kept in these fceding trays I check trays.

Every day attcr each feeding, the feed in the fecding tray is checked to
know whether fcecl is fully consumed. Depending on the quantity consumed, the
following adjustmcnt is made:

108
Calculation of survival rate of the shrimps in the pond and feed
managcmcnt

Since shrimps arc under water and always in dynamic movement, it is

very dimcult to assess the exaet number of shrimps available in the pond
(Survival rate) during stock assessment. Therefore, the survival could also be
checked, based on the actual quantity of feed consumed per day.

Actual feed consumed per day

Survival rate
No of shrimps stocked x Avg. body wt x feeding rate

Survival rate can otherwise be calculated by the following method

Actual feed consumed

Survival rate

Calculated feed requirement

24 kg

For eg. ~O% suni val

30 kg

Then the feed requirement is estimated based on the calculated survival

rate. If the pond is well prepared without any predators, the calculated quantity
of feed should be consumed. In case the calculated feed is not consumed it
could be either due to disease or reduction in survival rate. If it is diseased, it
can be observed form the samples and the treatment may be given
accordingly. If it is not due to disease then there could be some error in the
survival rate calculated.

This method of calculation helps in feeding the exact quantity of feed

required for the stock. Feed adjustment is made at the time of feeding by any
of the following methods.

109
 Checking time Quantity left Feed adjustment
in the tray

1.5 hrs after feeding Nil Increase by 15%

2 hrs" Nil Maintain same

3 hrs" Nil Decrease 5%

.,
5 hrs Nil Just maintain the previous quantity

The animals are expected to consume the feed within 3 hrs time. If the
feed remaining is 20% aller three hours, reduce the quantity of feed by 20%.
In the second procedure the trays arc observed for consumed feed after 2 hrs
30 minutcs at the initial stages and I hour 30 minutes at the Iatcr stages.
Depending upon the quantity left in the feeding tray, feed adjustment can be
ascertained as given below:

Table 8.4: Average amount of unconsumed feed remaining in trays (%)

Adjustment to feeding rate

_._-_... - - - - - - - - - - - ----------------
... - ----- ------ -- - -. -- - .. _-------
o (Zero) increase 5~/o
Less than 5 % No change
5-10% Decrease 5 %
-
10-25 % Decrease 10 %

More than 25 % Suspend 2 feed rations and reinitiatc @ 10 % less

Under certain conditions the shrimps are found to congregate near the
trays. And consume the feed rapidly. This is most likely due to poor bottom
condition. Under such conditions the fiJllowing precautions is taken.

I. To increase the quantity of feed on trays

2. To check the trays faster and compare the results with other ponds.

3. To elevate the tray from the bottom.

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 4. To increase the number of trays in ponds and feed only on trays

From the subsequent day of feeding the actual quantity of feed to be

given should be a compromise between the consumed and calculated. i.e. (14)
kg and (10) kg average (17) kg subject to feed adjustment based on the
observation made in the feeding tray / check tray.

Though feed requirement is to be calculated methodically, it is not

possible to calculate the standing crop daily. The growth of the shrimps and
increase in weight of the shrimps over a week or fortnight, the average gain in
weight can be calculated by other data available from the pond, given the
FeR.

For example:-

Average Body Wt (ABW) 20 6'111S

3.5 according to table of feeding practice

Growth per day (ABW x Fccd %)..,. FeR

(20 x 3.5) -'- (1.5 x 100)

3.22 gills

Feed COl/versiol/ Ratio:

This is an expression denoting the quantity of feed required to get one

kg of t1csh. The FeR is calculated by applying the following formula.

FeR = Quantity offeed consumed -'- Total weight gain

For example:-

Ifin a pond 2000 kgs feed is uscd for growing 1000 kgs of SIllimp, then

The FeR = 2000 -'- 1000

= 1:1

III
 Higher the FCR, poorer the feed quality higher the cost of production
and higher amount of organic load in the pond. If the FCR is lower, the pond
can be kept in a good condition.

Feed efficiency is calculated to grade the efficiency of the feed. This is

an expression of quantity of shrimp obtainable per kg of feed

For example:-

(I) 1000 kgs of feed is required to grow 500 kgs of shrimp.

Feed efficiency = Total Weight gain + Quantity of feed

consumed

Feed efticiency = 500 kg + 1000 kg = 0.5

(2) 1000 kg feed is required to grow 2000 kg of shrimp

Feed efficiency = 2000 kg ~ 1000 kg = 2

In these two cases, while the first example shows lower feed
efficiency, the second om' shows higher feed efficiency. Here, higher the
number, more efficient is the feed and lower the number less el1icient is the
feed.

U"e ofalltibiotic feeds alld withdrawal.

When more and more people resort to intensive fanning system

without proper management, there is more chance of shrimps getting disease.
To prevent disease sometimes antibiotic incorporated feed is used. Constant
use of antibiotics and the presence of antibiotics above a particular limit in the
shrimp is not acccptable for human consumption. Whenever antibiotic feeds
are used, towards cnd of culture period, feed free of antibiotics is to be used.
The following table gives the withdrawal period for a few antibiotics

112
 Table 8.5: Recommenced witbdrawal periods for the administration of
various drugs in different rearing water temperatures.

Temperature

Drug Less than 12"C 12"C-22 C Greater than

22°

Days

Ox tetracycline 60 40 15

Oxolinic aeid 60 40 15

Furazolidone 40 20 10

Sulfamonomethoxine 60 30 15

Sufludimethoxine 60 30 15

N com ycin 40 30 15

Nalidixic acid 40 20 10

'I Piromidic acid 40 20 10

1

Nifurpirinol 40 20 10

Selectioll of good quality feed

Pellets / crumbles should be of uniform SIze, shape and colour. A

proper mixing and grinding with micro pulverize result in uniform distribution
of each and every component of the feed. Fish meal, being the major
ingredient is the colour of the feed. It should be almost similar to the colour of
the fish meal. Change in the colour may be due to bad quality ingredients or
improper drying. Take the small quantity of feed in a glass of water, the pellcts
should swell on putting in water and become soft and maintain its shape in
water for 2-3 hrs enabling the shrimps to cat fi·cc1y.

113
Criteria to be considered ji,r selections ()ffeed brand

I. Having the capacity to produce sufficient quantity of feed to supply in

time.

2. The reputation of the manufacturer/dealer in the trade or their previous

tradc.

3. The quality control procedure practiced by the manufacturer.

4. The raw material and the quality of raw material used by the
manufacturer.

5. Storage facility available with the dealers and type of storage so as to

keep the quality offeed. Normally longer storage of more than 3 months
is not advisable as the quality feed is likely to deteriorate.

Feed purchase and >forage

I. Feed should be purchased as far as possible as per the requirement with

keeping a little buffer. Purchase of fecd at a time should be strictcd to
one erop requirement.

2. It is always advisable to eheck the freshness of the feed by looking at

the date of manufacture. The bag should not be damaged and should
not be wet.

3. Feed bags should be stored on wooden platfoml in clean dry and cool
(temp. 24-25° C) store room with good ventilation and less than 75 %
humidity.

4. The store room windows should be provided with metal screens to

prevent entry of rats, birds and other animals. Doors and wall should
be free from holes to prevent entry of rats.

5. During unloading and stocking, bags should be handled gently to

prevent powder formation.

114
6. The store room should be used exclusively for storing feeds only and
not for any othcr purpose.

7. Stocking should be in such manner so as to enable rotation of stock

that first received be used first.

Probiotics:

Metchnikoff was fitst observed the beneficial ctTects of Lactobacillus

l"/dgaris in 1907, a lactic acid bactaria (LAB) that is responsible for souring of
milk. The modern concept of probiotics was formulated only 30 years ago.
Several definitions were lucidly proposed by the scientists. In 1974, Parker
otiginally refen-ed to "Organisms and substances which contribute to intestinal
microbial balance" as probiotics (Rao V.A., 2006). Later, Fuller (1989)
described probiotics as "A live microbial feed supplement which beneficially
affects the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance". FUl1her,
Tannock (1997) pur forth the definition "Living microbial cells administrated
as dietary supplements with the aim of improving health".

"Probiotics" generally includes bacteria, cyanobacteria, micro algae

fungi, etc. Some Chinese researchers translate it into English as "Normal
micro biota" or "Effective micro biotu". It includcs Photosynthetic bactclia,
Lactobacillus. ActiJlomycctcs. Nitrobactcria. DCllitri(yillg bacteria,
Bifidobacterillnl and yeast, etc. Usually, it does not include micro algae. In
English literature, probiotic bacteria are generally called the bacteria which
can improve the water quality of aquaculture, andlor inhibit the pathogens in
water and thereby increasing production. "Probiotics", "Probiont", "Probiotie
bacteria" or "Beneficial bacteria" are the tem1S synonymously used for
probiotic bacteria.

The theory of ecological prcvention and curc in controlling the insect

pest of ten-estrial higher h'l"ade animals and plants has been in practice for long
time, and has achieved remarkable success. The use of benclicial digestive
bactcria in human amI animal nutrition is well documented. Lactobacilills
acidophillls is used commonly to control and prevent infections by pathogenic
micro organisms in the intestinal tract of many terrestrial animals. Recently,

lIS
the bio-controlling theory has been applied to aquaculture. Many researchers
attempt to use some kind of probiotics in aquaculture water to regulate the
micro flora of aquaculture water, control pathogenic micro-organisms, to
enhance decomposition of the undesirable organic substances in aquaculture
water, and improve ecological environment of aquaculture. In addition, the use
of probiotics can increase the population of food organisms, improve the
nutrition level of aquacultural animals and improve immunity of cultured
animals to pathogenic micro-organisms. In addition, the use of antibiotics and
chemicals can be reduced and frequent outbreaks of diseases can be prevented.

Jiravanichpaisal and Chuaychuwong et al (1997) reported the use of

Lactobacillus sp. as the probiotic bacteria in the giant tiger shrimp (1'.
mOllodol7 Fabricius). They designed to investigate an effective treatment of
Lactobacillus sp. against vibriosis and white spot diseases in P. mOllodoll.
They investigated the growth of some probiotic bacteria, and their survival in
the 20 ppt sea water for at least 7 days. Inhibiting activity of two Lactobacillus
sp. against Vibrio 5p., E. coli, Staphylococclls 5p. and Bacillus subtilis was
detennined. Direkbusarakom and Yoshimizu ct al (1997) reported Vibrio spp.
which dominate in shrimp hatchery against some fish pathogens. Two isolates
of T'ibrio spp. which are the dominant composition of the flora in shrimp
hatchery were studied ttlr antiviral activity against infectious haemutopoictic
necrosis vims (IIINV) ancl Oncorhynchus masou vims (OM V). Both strains of
bacteria showed the antiviral activities against IHNV and OMV by reducing
the number of plaque. Their results demonstrate the possibility of using the
Vibrio !lora against the pathogenic viruses in shrimp culture.

Maeda and Liao (1992) reported on the effect of bacterial strains

obtained from soil extracts on the growth of shrimp larvae of P. mOllodoll.
Higher survival and moult rates of shrimp larvae were observed in the
experiment treated with soil extract, and the bacterial strain which promoted
the growth of shrimp larvae was isolated. They have assumed that if a specific
bacterium is cultured and added to the shrimp ecosystem to the level of 10
million cell/ml, other bacteria may hardly inhibit the same biotype because of

I 16
protozoan activity which shall be one of the way to biologically control the
aquaculture watcr biotype and ecosystem.

Recently, some research was done work on probiotic bacteria in

shrimp aquaculture. On the basis of studies on intcstinal micro flora of wild
adult shrimp P. chinensis, some probiotie bacteria were chosen from shrimp
intestinal flora. When the two probiotic bacterial strains were added to the
larval culture water, the survival rate, the abilities of disease resistance and
low salinity tolerancc were improved; average body length and weight were
increased. In addition, the probiotic bacteria, when added to the larval culture
water were found not to int1uence the total bactcrial number and water quality
of the sea water. It was also found that some probiotic bacteria can produce
some digestive enzymes; these enzymes may improve the digestion of shrimp
larvae, thus cnhancing the ability of stress resistance and health of the larvae
(Wang Xianghong ct al 1997).

Mechanism of action of the probiotic bacteria:-

The mechanism of action of the probiotic bacteria has not been studied
systematically. According to some recent publications, in the aquaculture the
mcchanism of action of the probiotic bacteria may have several aspects viz;

• Probiotic bacteria may competitively exclude the pathogenic bacteria

or produce substances that inhibit the growth of the pathogenic
bacteria.

• Provide essential nutrients to enhance the nutrition of the cultured

animals.

• Provide digestive enzymes to enhance the digestion of the cultured

animals.

• Probiotic bactcria directly uptake or decompose the organic matter or

toxic material in the water improving the quality of the water.

Chinese researchers have done some studies on the probiotic bacteria

to improve the shrimp culture water, and achieved rcmarkable results (Li

117
Zhuojia et al 1997). For example, when photosynthetic bacteria were added
into the water, it could eliminate the NHJ-N, H2 S and organic acids, and other
hannful materials rapidly, improve the water quality and balance the pH. The
heterotrophic probiotic bacteria may have chemical actions such as oxidation,
ammoniafication, nitrification, denitrification, sulphurication and nitrogen
fixation. When these bacteria were added into the water, they could
decompose the excreta of fish or shrimps, remaining food materials, remains
of the plankton and other organic materials to C02, nitrate and phosphate.
These inorganic salts provide the nutrition for the growth of micro algae,
while the bacteria grow rapidly and become the dominant group in the water,
inhibiting the growth of the pathogenic micro-organisms. The photosynthesis
of the micro algae provide dissolved oxygen for oxidation and decomposition
of the organic materials and for the respiration of the microhes and cultured
animals. This kind of cycle may improve the nutrient cycle, and it can create a
balance between bacteria and micro algae, and maintaining a good water
quality environment for the cultured animals.

The feasibility alld jilfltre of the applicatioll ofprobiotics ill aquaculture

Based on the observation and previous research results on probiotics it

is suggested that the use of probiotic bacteria in aquaculture has tremendous
scope and the study of the application of probiotics in aquaculture has a
glorious future. At present, the probiotics arc widely applied in United States
of America, Japan, European countries, Indonesia and Thailand, with
commendable results.

China is a large country in aquaculture, but the application and

development of the probiotics in Chinese aquaculture is very meagre when
compared to other countries. In recent years, the discases of shrimps hindered
the development of shrimp culture. The Chinese government has realizcd the
economic value and potential social benclits of the application of probiotics in
aquaculture, and has, recently, paid more attention to the study and
development of probiotics in a4uaculture. Thus the government has increased
the research tUIH.jS tor it. Probiotics principally inhibit the growth and decrease
the pathogenicity of the pathogenic bacteria, enhance the nutrition of the

liS
aquacultured animals, Improve the quality of the aquaculture water and
decrease the usc of antibiotics and other chemicals; thus decreasing
environmental contamination by the residual antibiotics and chcmicals. This
benefit of probiotics will be long lasting, and the application of probiotics will
becomc a major field in (he development of aquaculture in the future.

The .• Iudy ~ile (Diu):-

Feed plays an important role in shrimp culture. The feeding for (he first
month aner stocking is almost '"blind"' feeding and (he fanner was dependent
on the survival of seed in the hapa and regular observation of the seed in the
ponds to estimated feeding rate.

Natural food plays an important role in shrimp aquaculture. The food

chain is established in the ponds, based on the growth of phytoplankton.
Fertilizers and mineral conditioncrs arc used to boost the growth of the
phytoplankton to accelerate the growth of the shrimps. Waste hom the
artificial food pellets and excremcnts of the shrimps can lead to the
eutrophication of the ponds.

Leber and Pruder (1988). Moss et a1. (1992) and Moss (1995)
discussed the growth-enhancing effect of unfiltered shrimp pond water on
laboratory-reared shrimp (I'. \'ol1lwmei). The shrimp reared in plastic-lined
microcosm tanks receiving !low through pond water and fed at1itieial diets
grew over 50% faster than comparable animals receiving clear well water and
fed identical diets.

Cam et aI. (1991) reported that natural productivity accounted for 86,7,
42.7, 41.7 and 34.4% of the growth carbon of pond reared shrimp (I',
japollicllS; stocking density 201m2 PL20-22: 25mg initial body weight) alier
30, W, 90 and 120 days, respectively. All cultured shrimp were fed a 57,4%
protein pellet from day 15 aner stocking until the end of the 120-day
experiment.

119
 Bostock (1991) reported no diflcrenee in the growth of pond-reared
shrimp (P. 1I101/0dol/; stocking density 101m2) in India fed a high-nutrient
pelleted diet or a locally produced dough-ball costing 113 as much.

Akiyama (1993) reported that feed ingredient costs could be reduced

by 30-45% for shrimp (P. mOl/odol/; stocking density 10-19/m2) reared in
semi-extensive ponds by reducing dietary protein levels (to a minimum of
30% crude protein) and reducing dietary phosphorus and vitamin levels with
no loss in growth or shrimp performance; shrimp production and FeR
averaged 2.1 MT/ha/cycle and 1.55 at a stocking density of 101m2 and 3.5
MT/ha/cycle and 1.59 at a stocking density of 151m2, respectively.

As mentioned, the tenn "protein requirement" is often mistakenly used

to denote feed protein content or level. Nutritionists recognize that the real
issue in providing adequate protein in feeds regards three factors: (1) essential
amino acid requircments; (2) overall digestibility of dietary proteins; and (3)
feed consumption level.

Generally, observed that I - 1.5 kg of feed for a stocking density

80,000 PLIO. SO ha at day one and a gradual increase of 200 - 400 g each day
till 30 days. Later fecding can be calculated dcpenuing upon the survival rate
and avcrage body weight. The feed was regularly observed in check trays and
depending on this fanner, adjusted feeu at regular intervals. If feeding is
concct, pond and water management will be easy because there is not much
deposition of unconsumed feed on the pond bottom.

Ovcr feeding leads to spoilage of the pond bottom with more

unconsumed feed leading to increase of toxic gases like thS and ammonia
whieh are dangerous to shrimp health. Over feeding also changes the water
quality badly and the investment cost will thereby increase after the harvest of
the pond. In addition, the pond bottom gets deposited with a thick blaek
substrate.

Under feeding can also be a problem leading to abnormal sIze

variation, high cannibalism, low survival rate, soft shell formation in small

120
shrimps due to malnutrition etc. Feeding should therefore, be very watchfully
monitored in shrimp culture.

The effect of varying levels of tibcr, protein, and lipid feed component
levels on gut passage timc (GPT) and gut passage rate (GPR) of
Fm/alltepcnaclis aztccils (Perez Farfante & Kensley 1997), L;lopcnaclls
sctiferus (Perez Farfante & Kensley 1997), and Litopcnaells l'annaI1lC; (Perez
Farfante & Kensley 1997), was examined in field feeding trials in a tidal creek
and shrimp culture pond. Feeding trials were conducted to observed that fiber,
protein, or lipid, did not cause any large differences is GPT within any of the
three species. Mean GPTs ranged from 65.7-90.5 min in F. azleclis and L.
seli/erus and from 48.3-66.6 min in L. vanname;. GPRs were not constant,
ranging from 5-16 mm/min when GPTs were short and from 0.1-2 mm/min
for longer GPTs. Generally the shrimp requires about four hours for digestion
of feed. So the feed frequency can be arranged 4-6 times in a day. Since
sluimp are nocturnal, more than 60 percent of the feed should be fed during
night. The study ponds have started to feed four times a day Ii·om the 21 day
of culture. The feeding schedule was arranged four times as 6.00, 11.00, 18.00
and 23.00. The feed were broadcast cd manually by using rope feeding
methods. Thc study ponds have used the CP Food for shrimp culture. The
following arc the specification and feeding programme suggest cd by CP food
pvt ltd.

CP FoodS used by shrimp farmer (study ponds)

Illgrediellts

The ingredients used for shrimp feed are contained fish meal, shrimp
head meal, squid meal, soybean, cod liver oil, broken rice, wheat flour,
cholesterol, phospholipids, vitamins and minerals.

Water stability

The feed is produced in the pellet [om1, with sinking ability and water
stability for more than 4 hours. Therefore, it will not spoil water or damage the
pond bottom and this helps cut the production cost.

~ Pwduct name CP F(l()t.! Pvt Ltd., Prcpan.xj artificial pellet feeds for shrimp, scampi and fish.

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"'lItritio/ll/1 cO/ltents

The ked which has excellent attractants is composed of high quality

raw materials for the shrimps to grow at a faster rate with high disease
resistance.

FeR 1.2-J..I

The high quality of this feed promotes excellent growth by minimal

feed cost. Depending on pond management and the environmental quality of
the pond, the conversion ratio is excellent.

Stringent Iflll/lity cO/ltrol

To maintain its standard and quality, the feed is tested in the modern
laboratory by stringent high quality system to ensure the best quality of the
new raw materials and fInished product.

Table 8.6: Composition of Shrimp Feed

Net
Fecd Size Weight Protein Fat Fiber Moisture
Types
Code (mill ) per bag min(°l.,) l11in(o\,) max(O'o) m<lx(%)
(Kg)

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 -----

Table 8.7: Feeding Program (CP food)

Fced per Day per

Feed Increase per
Age (days) 100,000 PL 15 Feed Code
Day (gm)
(Kg.)

1 -- 2.0 #01
I II II II I
2 - 10 400 2.4 - 5.6 #01 & #02
I II II I I
II - 30 600 6.2 - 17.6 #02 & #03
I II II I
31 - 50 500 18.1-27.6 #03 & #045
I II II I I

Table 8.8: Feeding Scheme for Shrimp Farming (CP Food)

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 Trino et al. (1992) reported that dietary vitamin fortification was not
essential for shrimp (P. mOllodoll; stocking (lcnsity 5 juveniles/m2, initial body
weight 0.I-O.17g) reared in outdoor ponds. Shrimp were fed a diet containing
34% crude protein and 8% lipid over a 135-day trial period.

Cruz-Suarez, Ricque and Aquacop (I (),)2) reported that pond penreared

shrimp (P. lIlonodol1) grew 70-80% luster and had a bettcr food eonvcrsion
ratio (FCR of 2.2 for the reference did and 1.7 ft)!" a 10% squid meal-
supplemented diet). The respeetivc data tel[ shrimp reared in tanks: FCR of 3.4
fllr the rderence diet and 2.8 fllr the squid meal diet.

Trino and Sarroza (1995) found no difference in the growth or survival

rates or apparent food conversion efficiency of shrimp (P. mOl/odoll: stocking
density 7.5/m2. initial body weight () mg) rcared in a modified extensive pond-
based culture system and fed a high-quality shrimp pellet (40--42% crude
protein, 7-9% lipid) with or without a dietary vitamin/mineral premix over a
120-day rcaring cycle. The vitamin and mincral supplements represented 20-
30% of total shrimp feed ingredient costs.

The supplementary feed and probiotics were started to all the ponds
(2006) li'om 35 day of culture onwards. The supplementary feeds balance the
minerals, vitamin and growth promoter enzymes in the pond water to enhance
the healthy growth of shrimp.

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