The requirement of gross protein and energy and the optimal ratio of these in practical diets for pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus paulensis) juveniles in different salinities were determined. Shrimp with a mean initial weight of 0.353 g were stocked in 54 plastic tanks at initial densities of 40 ind m-2. The experiment was factorial, with three levels of gross protein (24, 35, 48%), three levels of salinities (10, 20, 30 psu), and two levels of gross energy (3200, 4200 kcal kg-1); the experiment lasted 25 days and considered three replicates. The results showed that salinity and protein had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on weight gain and the specific growth rate, but did not influence on survival. The energy had no significant effect on survival, growth rate, or weight gain. The response of the shrimp to the gross energy and protein level showed different requirements according to the different salinities tested. At salinity of 10 psu, the adequate level was 35% gross protein and 4200 kcal kg-1 (83.3 mg PB kcal-1), whereas at salinities of 20 and 30 psu, levels of 24% gross protein and 3200 kcal kg-1 (75.0 mg PB kcal-1) were appropriate.