In order to study nutritional characteristics of 5 strains of Penaeus vannamei under culture conditions of circulating water system in ponds, nutritional components in the muscle were determined with conventional method for determination of biochemical component, analyzed and evaluated. The results showed that the flesh content of Penaeus vannamei ranged from 50.57% to56.13%. In normal nutritional components, Strain A contained the most protein (20.27%), fat (0.57%) and ash content (1.32%). The essential amino acid (EAA)/total amino acid (TAA) for the muscle of 5 strains of Penaeus vannamei was about 35%, and the structure conformed to the standard requirement of FAO/WHO. The essential amino acid index (EAAI) from high to low was Strain A (71.54%), Strain E (71.10%), Strain D (70.00%), Strain C (69.31%) and Strain B (69.17%). A total of 16 fatty acids were identified in the muscle, and there were differences in the types and contents of fatty acids in each strain. Monounsaturated fatty acids (ΣMUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (ΣPUFA) and EPA+DHA were the highest in Strain B and lowest in Strain C. For microelement, the iron (7.62 mg/kg) and copper (4.05 mg/kg) contents of Strain D were the highest; the highest selenium content (0.24mg/kg) was found in Strain E. It was indicated that the 5 strains cultured in circulating water in ponds all belonged to high protein and low fat food, and had balanced amino acid composition, abundant microelements and high nutritional values, where A and Strain C respectively had the highest and lowest nutritional value.