Influence of dietary fatty acids and cholesterol on the growth and survival of the Argentine prawn, Artemesia longinaris Bate

The influence of essential fatty acids and cholesterol on the growth and survival of the Argentine shrimp Artemesia longinaris, was tested using experimental pelleted diets based on a standard diet. A series of diets were designed and prepared by adding cholesterol, pure oleic acid, raw linseed oil and fish oil (rich in fatty acids of the ω 3 series). After 30 days, no significant differences in growth were registered among the animals fed different rations, although significant differences in survival were found. The best survival was obtained with the diet supplemented with fish oil (87.3%). Survival of prawns fed the other diets was significantly lower (53.3–56.7%). Animals fed low fat diet, showed the lowest survival (30%). The results indicated the importance of cholesterol in the diet, and stressed the dietary necessity of highly unsaturated fetty acids of the linolenic acid series for the optimal survival of A. longinaris.