Litopenaeus vannamei [(0.14 ±0.01) g average weight] were fed with seven diets for 56 d to observe the effects of different carbohydrates on the growth performance, body composition and related metabolism in triplicate tanks (50 shrimps/tank) connected to a natural seawater (29) recirculating system. Seven formulated diets all contained about 20% carbohydrate content with different carbohydrate sources: glucose, fructose, glucose+fructose (1:1 weight ratio), sucrose, maltose, cornstarch and dextrin. Different carbohydrate sources had significant influence on the growth performance of shrimp when other requirements were met. The results showed that the shrimp fed polysaccharide are better than sucrose and others on the SGR and PER. And there was the lowest SGR and PER in glucose group. Different carbohydrate sources had no significant influence on the crude protein, moisture and ash of body, but had influence on the crude fat and glycogen of shrimp. Meanwhile, glycometabolism instead of fat and protein metabolism was affected by different carbohydrate sources in L. vannamei.