Abstract
This project aims to add an alternative protocol for the algae feed requirements of Litopenaeus vannamei (White leg shrimp). Maintaining a continuous culture of healthy live algae throughout the larviculture period can be difficult and fraught with failures. During these trials, frozen dead algae are used as a partial (50%) and complete replacement for live algae. The algae being used is Thalassiosira Weissflogii. The live algae are provided by the algae department at Shrimp Improvement Systems and the dead algae are provided by Reed Mariculture (TW 1200). The trials are graded based on their survivals throughout the larviculture process as well as a final survival taken at the Postlarvae-6 stage. Additionally the animals will be judged using a post larvae health check developed at Shrimp Improvement Systems. The results of the trials were statistically insignificant. The 50% algae replacement trial returned survivals higher than previous commercial trials with the same algae paste replacement as well as higher survivals than the 100% replacement trials. In both trials, the animals in the trial tanks were comparatively underdeveloped compared to the control tanks. This includes under developed gills, gill fouling, decreased size and increased size disparity.