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. Feed Requirements - Complete Diet For vannamei. Be aware shrimp do not swallow pellets but break them down. Bacterai also start helping from then on. Consider after 4 hours shrimp feed is just water bacterial or algal fertilizer. Regardless density. Vannamei shrimp are benthic detrital feeders by nature but graze easily in turbid nutrien rich estuaries until ocean bound (<25g). Under RAS consider accumulation potential. Buying a commercially prepared feed off-the-shelf the following should be preferably taken into consideration: Shrimp Size Feed Diameter Type of Feed and Process Daily Feed Amount (%Biomass) Feeding Frequency PL 10 to 0.1 gms 0.5-1 mm Cold Pelleted Crumble/Flakes 30% If possible continually on demand or, at least, every two hours / 24 hours 0.1 - 1.0 gms 1 - 2 mm Cold Pelleted Crumble 25% down to 11% If possible continually on demand or, at least, every three hours / 24 hours 1 -3 gms 2-3 mm Pellet 11% down to 7% If possible continually on demand. >3 gms 3 mm Pellet 7% down to 3% at 12 gms If possible continually on demand The daily feed amount is to calculate consumption for acquiring appropriate quantities of feed. Therefore with one million post larva seeded one could be starting off with approx. 450kg of the 0.5-1mm followed by 3600Kg of the 1-2mm then 2400Kg of the 2-3mm and the remaining feed (circa 10,000kg) at 3mm. The previous and above is only for reference as is the referencial feed table and guideline available in the feeding regime section for differing sizes but NOTE: ideally the feeding amount is dependant on the shrimp themselves and can be varied accordingly at each feeding depending on the observations taken. An automated feeder would help with the control of the feeding rates and frequency for the night. Go to Essential Nutrients for list of required nutrients as percentage of feed. Other Additional Nutritional Factors Other Important factors to be aware of from the feed manufacturer: Nutritional characteristics : Ingredient selection, nutrient level, digestibility and quality control. The raw materials used in the formulation (ingredient selection) so that the feed falls within the parameters also have maximal upper dietary inclusion levels that need to be considered. There can be antagonistic reactions and ingredients do have minimum and maximum constraints. The initial ingredients must be quality controlled (HACCP) especially if there is some sort of primary processing to avoid secondary influences on the compound feed (eg. chemical treatment in silage production, heavy metals). Manufacturing Process: Important to know the manufacturing process used for the feed. Expansion/conventional steam pelleting, extrusion, cold pelleting, straight mixing, flaking, crumbling. Handling and Storage: Important to be stored in a dry cool sealed room (preferably with air conditioning to maintain low humidity). If used anti-oxidants in the feed must be carefully regulated. At all stages of ingredient selection, storage, processing and manufacture the implementation of HACCP including access to relevant documentation must be assured. Feeding Application, Rates and Method Employed: Manufacturers recommended methods to compare. Knowledge Building: Development of optimal and specialized feeds .