The ability of

Litopenaeus vannamei

(initial mean weight: (0.96±0.02) g) to utilize different levels of cornstarch was examined in terms of growth indices

body composition

microscopic structure and lipogenic enzyme of the hapetopancreas. Six isonitrogenous semipurified diets were fed to shrimp to satiation for 8 weeks in triplicate tanks (30 shrimps per tank) connected to a natural brackish water (salinity: 6‰~14‰) recirculating system. Diets contained different levels of cornstarch (w

10%、15%、20%、25%、30%、35%) as the source of carbohydrate. Weight gain (WG)

survival rate and SGR were considerably affected by cornstarch levels of diets. The highest weight gain (453.6％) and best SGR was observed in shrimp fed the 150 g·kg

-1

(cornstarch level) diet

and was significantly （P

<

0.05） higher than those fed diets containing 25% to 35% cornstarch. However

the survival rate reached maximum in shrimp fed the 10% diets（96.7％）

some 300 g·kg

-1

 diets higher than the lowest rate

which was found in shrimp fed the 250 g·kg

-1

 diets. Body lipid tended to be higher in shrimp fed diets with higher cornstarch levels. Besides

histological study on shrimp fed 10 to 35% diets exhibited no histological changes. Hepatopancreatic lipogenic enzyme activities (6PGDH

ME

IDH) in shrimp fed with different diets were very low; ME increased while carbohydrate levels increased. In a word

it is suitable for shrimp fed 10%~20% carbohydrate when the diets containing 38% protein.