Status of shrimp nutrition and feed development in Southeast Asia.

Abstract

World demand for shrimp has increased significantly in the last decade. Of the 32 species investigated, the most commonly cultured in Southeast Asia is the Penaeus monodon . Formulated feed constituted around 50% of the operational costs in shrimp culture and hence there is a need to develop low, cost effective feeds. However, due to limited information on feeding habits and nutritional requirements, development of feeds for P. monodon has been mainly dependent on data derived from other penaeid species. Studies on P. monodon nutrition and feed development and constraints to shrimp culture common to the Southeast Asian region are reviewed. Standardization of methodologies for nutrition research and husbandry to hasten collection of data is recommended.