Growth rate, soluble-protein content, oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion, and digestiveenzyme
activity were studied in Litopenaeus setiferus early postlarvae under four feeding
regimens that included combinations of freshly hatched Artemia nauplii, microparticulate
commercial diet, and algae. Growth and of postlarvae fed a mixed diet were significantly higher.
Artificial diet used alone caused the lowest growth, lowest soluble-protein content, higher
ammonia excretion, lowest O:N ratio, and higher proteolytic and amylase activities. The artificial
diet stimulated proteolytic activity and ammonia excretion of postlarvae, apparently in response to
some deficiency in protein composition of the diet. Based on results in growth, soluble-protein
content, enzymatic activity, and metabolic substrate, we determined that partial substitution of
Artemia nauplii by artificial diet, with or without addition of algae when rearing early postlarval
stages, will benefit the growth and nutritional state of L. setiferus postlarvae.