Shrimp Feed: A Comprehensive Guide for Optimal Growth

Shrimp feed is one of the most critical aspects of shrimp farming, directly impacting the health, growth rate, and productivity of the stock. For vannamei shrimp, the choice and management of feed play a pivotal role in achieving desired harvest sizes efficiently. In this article, we will explore the types of vannamei shrimp feed, their characteristics, and best practices for feeding to maximize growth while minimizing costs.

Types of Vannamei Shrimp Feed

Vannamei shrimp feed is broadly categorized into two types: natural feed and artificial feed. This distinction is significant because natural feed supports the ecological balance in traditional or semi-intensive farming, while artificial feed provides consistent and tailored nutrition essential for intensive and super-intensive farming systems. Each type serves distinct purposes depending on the farming method and shrimp growth stage.

1. Natural Feed

Natural feed originates directly from nature without processing. Common examples include phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic organisms, and plant matter. In traditional shrimp farming, natural feed is the primary food source, while in semi-intensive, intensive, and super-intensive farms, it serves as a supplement to artificial feed.

Key Sources of Natural Feed:

• Phytoplankton: Microscopic plants fertilized in ponds, promoting the growth of zooplankton and benthic organisms. A yellow-green tint in pond water indicates healthy plankton growth beneficial for shrimp.
• Lablab: A mix of blue-green algae, diatoms, and microbenthos, which thrives in brackishwater ponds. It is ideal for post-larvae and juvenile shrimp.
• Lumut: Filamentous algae like Chaetomorpha, suitable for low-salinity ponds.
• Macrophytes: Plants such as Najas graminea and Ruppia maritima that support benthic organisms and provide decaying matter for shrimp.

Nutrient composition of these natural feeds varies, offering crude protein, fiber, ash, and nitrogen-free extracts essential for shrimp development.

2. Artificial Feed

Artificial feed undergoes processing to meet specific nutritional requirements and is available in three forms: pellets, granules, and powders.

Types of Artificial Feed:

• Pellets: Tubular-shaped feed designed for juvenile shrimp to grow until harvest. Pellets contain essential nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber.
• Granules (Crumble): Coarse granules suitable for shrimp aged 16-45 days. Made by crushing pellets or agglomerated powder, granules are nutritionally tailored for younger shrimp.
• Powder: Fine-grain feed for shrimp less than 16 days old, ensuring easy consumption for smaller mouths.

Artificial feed is indispensable in intensive farming, where shrimp growth relies entirely on these diets. It ensures consistent nutrition and faster growth, reducing the reliance on natural feed.

Types of Vannamei Shrimp Feed

Standards for High-quality Vannamei Shrimp Feed

Using high-quality feed is crucial for shrimp development. Characteristics of good feed include:

• Dry, mold-free, and clump-free appearance
• Uniform shape and undamaged packaging
• A strong, distinct attractant smell
• Water stability of 2-3 hours to prevent feed loss

Characteristics of Damaged Feed: Moldy, wet, clumping, with a faint attractant smell and water stability less than 2-3 hours. Such feed negatively impacts shrimp health and growth.

Feeding Behavior of Vannamei Shrimp

Vannamei shrimp are omnivorous scavengers, feeding on small crustaceans, mollusks, and benthic organisms. This feeding behavior allows them to utilize a wide range of food sources available in their habitat, influencing the choice of feed types and feeding strategies in farming practices. For instance, diets must include ingredients that mimic their natural preferences to enhance feed acceptance and growth efficiency. They use their pereiopods to catch food and nibble slowly. When food is scarce or of poor quality, shrimp may resort to cannibalism, highlighting the importance of consistent feeding.

In ponds, fertilized organic and inorganic substances promote the growth of natural food like algae and plankton. Supplemental feeding becomes necessary as shrimp grow, consuming more than the natural food supply.

Feeding Behavior of Vannamei Shrimp

Supplemental Feeding Practices

Supplemental feeds fall into two categories:

1. Moist/Wet Feeds: Locally sourced ingredients like rice bran, trash fish, or snail meat. These are freshly prepared or frozen for later use.
2. Dry Pelleted Feeds: Commercially available pellets that meet shrimp’s nutritional needs and ensure water stability. Proper storage is crucial to avoid fungal growth and insect infestation.

Feeding Methods

Optimal feeding ensures minimal waste and maximum growth: To bridge the discussion of feeding behavior with specific feeding methods, it’s essential to consider how shrimp's natural scavenging habits and dietary preferences influence the development and application of these strategies. For instance, the choice of feeding method should align with shrimp behavior to ensure efficient feed delivery and reduced waste.

• Broadcasting: Evenly spreads feed across the pond surface. Suitable for large ponds.
• Feeding Trays: Monitors shrimp consumption and prevents wastage. Trays are placed at different pond locations to distribute feed evenly.
• Automatic Feeders: Dispense small quantities of feed multiple times daily, reducing labor but requiring significant investment.

Feeding Rate and Frequency

The feeding rate depends on shrimp biomass and density. Common methods to determine feeding rates include:

• Visual Observation: Monitoring leftover feed in trays. Adjust feed quantities based on consumption.
• Stock Density Estimation: Sampling shrimp at regular intervals using cast nets to calculate feed requirements.
• Assumed Density: Estimating survival rates to determine feed rations. For example, 10% of shrimp biomass in the first month, decreasing to 4% by the fourth month.

Feeding frequency typically ranges from 2-5 times daily, with a preference for nighttime feeding as shrimp are more active in the dark. Dividing feed into smaller portions improves efficiency and reduces waste.

Feeding Rate and Frequency

Best Practices for Shrimp Feed Management

To optimize shrimp feed utilization:

1. Use high-quality feed with appropriate nutritional content.
2. Regularly monitor water quality and feed stability.
3. Implement feeding methods suited to pond size and shrimp behavior.
4. Store feed properly to maintain quality and prevent contamination.

Conclusion

The right shrimp feed strategy is essential for successful vannamei shrimp farming. Combining natural and artificial feeds, adhering to quality standards, and implementing efficient feeding practices ensures healthy shrimp growth and optimal harvests. By understanding what do shrimp feed on, how do shrimp feed, and the attributes of the best shrimp feed, farmers can achieve sustainable and profitable shrimp cultivation.