Abstract
Over the past two decades, the aquaculture production of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) has increased by 623%, reflecting the species’ growing importance in global aquaculture. FAO reports indicate that global production of whiteleg shrimp has surpassed seven million tons per year, with China and Ecuador emerging as the primary producing countries. As market demand continues to rise, shrimp production is projected to exceed current margins, prompting the feed industry to place greater emphasis on refining nutritional strategies for this economically important species. Phosphorus (P) is an essential mineral in aquafeeds, playing a critical role in energy metabolism, nucleic acid synthesis, skeletal development , and exoskeleton in crustaceans. In whiteleg shrimp, efficient phosphorus nutrition is particularly important due to their fast growth rates, low tolerance to P deficiency, and the ecological implications of P leaching in intensive/extensive farming systems. Over the past two decades, considerable progress has been made in defining dietary phosphorus requirements, identifying available phosphorus sources, and improving assessment methodologies—including apparent digestibility studies and predictive modeling. However, major gaps remain, particularly in understanding phosphorus bioavailability from alternative and plant-based ingredients, the interaction of dietary P with other minerals, and the implications of high dietary P levels on shrimp health and water quality. Moreover, standardization of digestibility methods, especially under varying salinity and environmental conditions, remains a key challenge. This review synthesizes current knowledge on phosphorus nutrition in L. vannamei, identifies critical research gaps, and highlights opportunities for advancing precision nutrition and sustainability in shrimp aquaculture.