Improved performance of larval Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931 production fed with Thalassiosira pseudonana Hasle and Heimdal, 1970 cultured with light-emitting diodes (LED) compared to fluorescent light

The nutritional quality of microalgae used as feed in larviculture is essential to improve shrimp production. Penaeus vannamei larvae were fed with the microalga Thalassiosira pseudonana produced with irradiation by light-emitting diode (LED) or fluorescent lights and evaluated for survival, weight, and molting time from Nauplius V to Zoea III. At the harvest production level, the microalgae density and biomass were estimated, and total lipid content and fatty acids profile as nutritional quality were evaluated. The density of the microalgae did not differ significantly, but biomass and the content of lipids with LED lights were significantly higher (0.27±0.05 mg L-1, 17.11±7.30