Partial Replacement of Fishmeal by Lyophylized Powder of the Microalgae Spirulina platensis in Pacific White Shrimp Diets

An eleven-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the growth effect of partial replacement of fishmeal by the microalga Spirulina platensis in the diet of juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone). The results clearly indicate that Spirulina platensis constitutes an effective food ingredient for shrimp. Growth rates of a Spirulina-fed group differed highly significantly (p < 0,001) compared to two groups fed to less suitable diets and were slightly, even though not significantly superior to that based on an optimal commercial reference fish diet. As a side effect, Spirulinafed shrimps showed measurable differences in pigmentation.