EFFICACY OF FRESH FEEDS ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF LAB REARED Litopenaeus vannamei (BOONE, 1931)

In recent years, the aquaculture industries are focusing on natural/fresh feed to obtain the healthy products without adulteration. In the present study, the efficacy of different animal/fresh feeds (Polychaete, Clam and Trash fish) on the growth performance and proximate composition of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei was investigated comparing pellet feed as control. The results revealed that the shrimps fed with polychaete feed showed the higher growth performance (Length: 12.3 cm; Weight: 16.5 g) and better survival rate (90 days) than the other animal feeds. The higher growth performance and better survival rate in polychaete fed shrimps may be attributed to high level of proteins (52.71%), lipids (21.28%) and carbohydrate (14.08%) than the other animal feeds (clam and trash fish). This study proved the efficiency of polychaete on the growth and survival of L. vannamei, which will serve as benchmark data for the aqua-farmer to improve their livelihood.