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The Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) is the most important shrimp species cultivated in the Americas. More than 90% of the shrimp cultivated in 1998 on the American continent (132000 tons) was L. vannamei. L. vannamei is the species cultivated especially in Ecuador and Mexico. Its growth potential is quite good and it is a hardy species in spite of virus diseases, such as IHHN or, to a certain extent, other pathogens such as WSSv (depending on pond management). Regarding feed, it represents the species with the best opportunity at reduced protein level; plant protein and carbohydrates available in their habitat to be channeled into tissue. A review of some requirements of juveniles is provided while emphasis is put on cost reduction, pond utilization and, generally speaking, on sustainable production. From an experimental point of view, nutritional requirements for protein, copper, zinc …