A ¹³C/¹²C Tracer Study of the Utilization of Presented Feed by a Commercially Important Shrimp <i>Penaeus vannamei</i> in a Pond Growout System¹

Abstract

Abstract A study of added feed utilization by pond grown shrimp was done using seven feeds with different 1 3C/ 12 C ratios, as expressed by δ 13 C. The pond shrimp did not track the δ 13 C value of the feed to the extent that tank grown shrimp did. For the seven pond experiments the δ 13 C data indicate that the added feed supplied between 23 and 47% of the growth carbon. This implies that between 53 and 77% of the growth is due to the grazing on pond biota. It is suggested that this experimental approach can be used to evaluate the relative contribution of presented dried feeds versus natural productivity in ponds as an aid to developing pond management strategies and optimum feeds.