Use of plant-based protein concentrates as replacement for fishmeal in practical diets for the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared under high stocking density and low salinity conditions

Two feeding trials were conducted to investigate the effect of replacing fishmeal with a combination of soy and corn protein concentrate (1:1 ratio) on growth performance of the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). A basal diet containing 200 g/kg fishmeal was systematically reduced (200, 150, 100, 50 and 0 g/kg) with protein concentrate on an isonitrogenous basis. Additionally, two diets containing 0 or 50 g/kg fishmeal were supplemented with lysine and methionine to evaluate possible limitations in EAAs. Each diet was randomly fed to five replicate tanks (15 shrimp per 75 L aquaria) reared in an indoor clear water system (Trial 1), or four replicate circular tanks (100 shrimp per 800 L) reared in outdoor green water system (Trial 2). In trial 1, results indicated a slight decrease in shrimp performance as fishmeal was replaced at the highest levels. Meanwhile, the supplementation of lysine and methionine to the diets did not result in shifts in survival, growth or FCR. In trial 2, there were no significant differences in growth performance across the tested diets. This study demonstrated that plant-based protein concentrates can be used to replace fishmeal in practical shrimp diet in clear and green water under high stocking density.