Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 1998
Zero-water exchange culture tanks were stocked with Penaeus vannamei postlarvae to compare the effects of (i) three dietary phosphorus levels: 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 %, and (ii) three dietary inorganic phosphorus sources: CaHPO4, Na2HPO4 and NaH2PO4, on postlarvae biological performance, and total reactive phosphorus accumulation in the water (TRPAW). Dietary Ca:P ratio was maintained within a 1:1 to 1:2 ratio. Postlarvae survival was high and not significantly different among treatments. Postlarvae growth was not significantly different, regardless of dietary phosphorus level. TRPAW was significantly higher with increasing level of dietary phosphorus. Dietary inorganic phosphorus source did not have a significant effect on postlarvae growth. No significant differences were found on TRPAW between diets with Na2HPO4 and NaH2PO4 supplementation at equal dietary phosphorus level. TRPAW was significantly lower with CaHPO4 than with Na2HPO4 or NaH2PO4 supplementation at equal dietary phosphorus level. Environmental quality of culture water may be greatly modified through nutritional strategies without negatively affecting shrimp biological performance.