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

<p>This study evaluated the use of microalgae (<em>Aurantiochytrium</em> sp. and <em>Nannochloropsis</em>) meals as substitutes for fish oil in the diet of Pacific white shrimp (<em>Litopenaeus vannamei</em>) 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&#39; muscle were analyzed. After 49 days, the final weight obtained was, on average, 16.59 g, and the animals&#39; 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.</p>