ABSTRACTThe following experiments compared survival and growth of shrimp larvae fedArtemianauplii beginning at either the protozoea 2, protozoea 3 or mysis 1 substage. Experiment one compared survival and growth of larvalPenaeus setiferus, from the protozoea 2 substage to three‐day‐old postlarvae, fed algae and either freshly hatchedArtemianauplii, decapsulatedArtemiacysts or ultraviolet killedArtemianauplii beginning at the protozoea 2 or mysis 1 substage. Survival was better for those postlarvae fed all threeArtemiafood types beginning at the protozoea 2 rather than the mysis 1 substage. Post‐larval dry weights were similar, regardless ofArtemiafood type or the larval substage at whichArtemiawas introduced.Experiment two compared survival and growth of larvalP. aztecus, from the protozoea 2 substage to two‐day‐old postlarvae, fed algae and liveArtemianauplii beginning at either the protozoea 2, protozoea 3 or mysis 1 substage. Controls were only fed algae. Survival was significantly better for those postlarvae fedArtemiabeginning at the protozoea 2 substage. Post‐larval dry weights increased with the introduction ofArtemianauplii beginning at the protozoea 2 substage. The potential effects of these results on current hatchery procedures ar