Effect of dietary phosphorus on growth and phosphorus excretion in Indian white shrimp

Ambasankar, K.; Ali, S. A. amad

Six semi-purified diets were formulated with supplemented phosphorus levels of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5% at a fixed calcium level of 1.25% and studied the effect of dietary phosphorus on growth, FCR, body phosphorus and its excretion in shrimp Fennero Penaeus indicus. The results of a 45-day feeding trial, in triplicate, on the juveniles of Fennero Penaeus indicus had shown that phosphorus is indispensable in the diet and the best performance was recorded by the diet supplemented with 1.0% phosphorus which was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the performance of 0% phosphorus supplemented diet. Higher phosphorus supplementation had no beneficial effect, rather suppressed growth and increased FCR. The shrimp maintained the body phosphorus and calcium levels in the ratio of 1:2 irrespective of dietary levels of phosphorus. Phosphorus excretion in faeces of Fennero Penaeus indicus increased proportionately with dietary phosphorus and the excretion level far exceeded the body phosphorus levels in the shrimp fed with diets having supplemented phosphorus level above 1%. The phosphorus levels in shrimp feeds vis-a-vis its excretion into aquaculture environment have been discussed.