Evaluating Artemia biomass and gut weed (Ulva intestinalis) meal as a dietary protein source for black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) postlarvae

A 45-day feeding trial was conducted to assess the influence of Artemia (Artemia franciscana Vinh Chau) biomass and gut weed (Ulva intestinalis) meal as replacement protein sources for fishmeal (FM) and soybean (SB) protein on the performance of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) postlarvae (PL). The control diet did not include Artemia biomass or gut weed meal, and the experimental feeds were formulated to replace 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of the FM protein with Artemia biomass meal, combined with the replacement of 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60% of SB protein with gut weed meal. All the experimental feeds were similar in crude protein (40%) and lipid (7%) content, with three replicates per treatment. Shrimp PL with an average weight of 0.019 ± 0.001 g and length of 1.17 ± 0.02 cm were reared at a salinity of 10 ppt. The results showed that the survival of the shrimp was not significantly influenced by the feeding treatments (P > 0.05) and ranged from 81.1% to 86.7%. Interestingly, the growth rates in terms of the weight, feed efficiency, and resistance to formalin shock of the shrimp that were fed Artemia biomass and gut weed meal were superior to those that received the control feed. The study findings demonstrated that Artemia biomass combined with gut weed meal can replace up to 80% FM protein and 60% SB protein in the P. monodon PL diet. Notably, optimal shrimp performance was obtained using a 40% Artemia biomass and 30% gut weed protein replacement diet.