Aurantiochytrium sp. and Nannochloropsis spp. meals as substitutes for fish oil in practical diets for Pacific white shrimp.

This study evaluated the use of microalgae (Aurantiochytrium sp. and Nannochloropsis) meals as substitutes for fish oil in the diet of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared in a clear water system. Dietary treatments tested five replacement levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) in triplicate. Performance parameters and fatty acid composition of the animals' muscle were analyzed. After 49 days, the final weight obtained was, on average, 16.59 g, and the animals' growth was around 1.89 g/week. Feed conversion was, on average, 1.47, and survival was above 97%. Fatty acid composition remained balanced, regardless of the replacement levels, as well as their amount within groups, such as n-6 and n-3. Thus, in view of the results obtained, it is clear that the formulation of a high-performance diet without any ingredients of marine origin (fish oil or fish meal) and that contributes to the sustainability of aquaculture, is indeed possible.