Shrimps, like other animals, feed primarily to satisfy their energy requirement. Assuming adequate nutrient balance, the shrimp compensates for a low energy diet (i.e. calories per gram) by eating more. Weight gain in this regard may be similar between shrimps fed diets high or low in energy, but those on a high energy diet require less feed per unit gain in weight. Up to a point, increasing levels of fat (a concentrated energy store) in the feed tend to have this effect. Very high levels however depress feeding; the exact mechanism is obscure. This may be related to the lesser consumption of displaced essential nutrients in the ration (Cruz, 1991).

Amino acids are also believed to play a key role in feed intake and regulation. Feeding may drop when the total level of amino acids (i.e. protein level) and its relative quantities fall short of the animal's requirement (Cruz, 1991).

Feed attractability and palatability affect feeding. Feeds high in attractants and palatable ingredients are consumed more. Satiation is apparently reached less quickly on such diets. The high consumption of feeds however do not necessarily produce faster growth. The nutritional profile of the feed prevails. On a long term basis, food intake is thought to be influenced by some sort of feedback mechanism. Appetite is eventually depressed on diets not conforming to the nutritional needs of the shrimp (Cruz, 1991).