Nutritional requirements of commercially important shrimps in the tropics

The culture of tropical shrimps has gained greater economic importance particularly among Southeast Asian countries. As shrimp fanning moves from low-input, low-technology operation to the intensive and even highly intensive scales of operation, farmers are increasingly seeking ways to achieve more efficient means of production. Feed takes up the major portion of the cost of production. It also has a significant effect on the health of cultured species. Therefore, nutritional adequacy and cost-effectiveness of feeds are critical to the growth of the aquaculture industry. This paper discusses the nutritional requirements for growth as well as for health of some commercially important shrimp species in the tropics with emphasis on P. monodon