Osmoregulatory capacity of the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei at different temperatures and salinities, and optimal culture environment

Osmoregulation in Litopenaeus vannamei was studied in a factorial experiment at four temperatures (20, 24, 28 and 32 degrees C) and six salinities (10, 16, 22, 28, 34 and 40 per thousand). The isosmotic related points for 20, 24, 28, and 32 degrees C were 754, 711, 822, and 763 mmol/kg, respectively. This species hyperregulates between at salinities of 10 and 20 per thousand and hyporegulates between 20 and 40 per thousand. The isosmotic point in L. vannamei exposed to constant salinities changed in relation to temperature from 717 to 823 mmol/kg. For these experimental conditions, the T-S combination of 32 degrees C and 28 per thousand produced the best growth.