The astaxanthin was added to the feed of black tiger shrimp

Penaeus monodon

(initial body weight(1.32±0.03) g)with different levels (0

10

20

40

80 and 160 mg·kg

-1

)for 30 days

which aim to determine the effects of astaxanthin on growth

survival and immunological parameters. The results show that astaxanthin increased the survival rate

but did not get regularization;weight gain rate and the specific growth rate(SGR)

which were significantly higher in the experimental groups than the control one(P

<

0.05); on the final body weight gain

were significantly difference in the experimental groups than the control (P

<

0.05)

but not significantly difference between the experimental groups(P

>

0.05)；astaxanthin significantly increased the activity of phenoloxidase (PO) in the shrimp serum(P

<

0.05) except for 10 and 20 mg·kg

-1

 groups

but did not significantly influence the activity of peroxidase (POD)

Superoxide dismutase(SOD) and alkaline phosphatas（ALP）in the shrimp serum. Based on weight gain rate

specific growth rate (SGR)and phenoloxidase (PO) capability

supplement of astaxanthin may be 40～80 mg·kg

-1

.