Effect of dietary pigment on growth performance and disease resistance in black tiger shrimp post larva (Penaeus monodon, Fabricius)

Effects of dietary pigment on survival and disease (white spot syndrome virus: WSSV) resistance in black tiger shrimp post larva (Penaeus monodon, Fabricius) (PL15) for a 30-day period were studied. The results showed that not only was mean survival of black tiger shrimp (PL15) fed with supplementation of Lucarotene or Betatene at 125 mg/kg diet significantly higher (P<0.05) but also the body color was increased. There were no effects of dietary pigment on mean weight, percent weight gain and WSSV resistance. However, mean WSSV resistance of black tiger shrimp (PL15) fed diet containing Lucantin pink 50 mg/kg diet, Spirulina 30 g/kg diet or Betatene 125 mg/kg diet was higher than that of control.