The objectives of this study were: (1) Compare two
systems for pre-maturation of Litopenaeus vannamei
in terms of spermatophore and sperm quality, (2)
Compare the effect of feeds with different protein
levels on reproductive quality of males reared in
a biofloc-dominated system. Animals (36.40
3.13 g) reared under biofloc technology (BFT)
were used in the 30-day experiment, which
involved four treatments: one in a clear water sys-
tem (CW) and other three in a BFT system. The
BFT treatments were differentiated by feed: mix of
fish, squid and crab (BFT+FF) composed of 68.48%
dietary protein (DP); broodstock feed (BFT+BF)
composed of 52.51% DP; and juvenile feed
(BFT+JF) composed of 39.91% DP. Feed in the CW
was also the mix of fresh food. Spermatophore and
sperm quality were analyzed at the beginning and
end of the experiment. Higher normal sperm rate
was recorded in the CW compared with the
BFT+FF. Among the BFT treatments, the BFT+FF
had the lowest normal sperm rate. Thus, the use
of BFT for pre-maturation of L. vannamei allowed
the reduction in dietary protein levels from
68.48% (BFT+FF) to 39.91% (BFT+JF) and the
maintenance of spermatophore and sperm quality
compared to the system based on high daily
exchange rate.