To compare the zootechnical performance of the Brazilian native shrimp Penaeus schmitti and the exotic shrimp Penaeus vannamei, juveniles were grown under controlled conditions. Both species were simultaneously cultivated (monoculture) in separate 70 L plastic tanks at two different densities: 30 and 50 ind m-2. Also, in the other two treatments, both species were cultivated together (mixed), with and without feeding, at 30 ind m-2. During the experiment, P. vannamei generally showed a greater interest in food and voracity than P. schmitti. At harvest, for both stocking densities of monoculture treatments, the mean growth rate observed for P. vannamei was 1.0 g week-1, while P. schmitti achieved only 0.1 g week-1. The mean final weight was 10.4 ± 2.0 g; 10.7 ± 2.1 g for P. vannamei and 2.8 ± 0.3 g; 3.2 ± 0.3 g for P. schmitti, for respective densities of 50 and 30 ind m-2. In the mixed treatment with feeding, while P. vannamei reached 11.9 ± 1.4 g, P. schmitti reached only 2.6 ± 0.4 g in the same tank. The observed differences were 3.7 and 3.4 higher in favor of P. vannamei in the monoculture treatment, and up 4.5 times higher in the mixed treatment. Under strict fasting conditions, both species practiced predation/cannibalism among themselves. The results reflected the zootechnical advantages of P. vannamei, but also corroborated the negative effect that high densities and lack of natural food can exert over native species. The potential for P. schmitti cultivation and the possible impact of the escape of P. vannamei into the natural environment is discussed.