ABSTRACT
Studies were carried out to investigate the effect of temperature, salinity, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate on food consumption of pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis. Juveniles (0.2 - 0.4 g) were acclimated for 15 days in seawater with different temperatures, salinities and concentrations of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. After the acclimation period, 20 shrimps per treatment were individualized in order to have their ration intake analyzed through the amount of ration offered and left over within a 24-hour period. Mean food consumption presented significant alterations (P<0.05) for the tested temperatures and nitrite concentrations, whereas for the salinity, ammonia and nitrate treatments, shrimp presented no alteration on food intake (P>0.05). According to the results obtained, temperature and nitrite affected F. paulensis food consumption. On the other hand, variables as salinity, ammonia and nitrate did not affect shrimp appetite. However, the possibility of this to happen over long periods, prejudicing the species culture in captivity, reinforced the necessity of regular water quality management