Shrimp Aquaculture

Marine Aquaculture 2014By Casey Phillips

Taxonomy of the Major Players

Family Penaeidae Whiteleg Shrimp Penaeus vannamei

Giant Tiger Prawn Penaeus monodon

Economy of the Shrimp

In 2005, global shrimp production was 2.5 million tonnes which equated to 42% of the world total shrimp production (cultured and caught)

The top markets for the shrimp are the US, Japan, and the EU

The per unit price fluctuates wildly due to issues with the aquaculture affecting supply

Life Cycle

Shrimp eggs hatch 24 hrs after deposition into nauplii larvae that feed on internal yolk

They then metamorphose to zoeze that feed on algae Next is the myses stage in which they feed on algae and

zooplankton The last stage is a postlarvae with adult characteristics The whole process takes about 12 days

Reproduction in Captivity

This can be an issue as female shrimp tend to not become reproductive in captivity

One method to induce this is “eyestalk ablation” or the removal of the eyestalk

Some hatcheries harvest gravid females from the wild and induce them to spawn

Production Methods

Hatcheries Grow nauplii larvae Range from low to high densities And appropriately low to high survival rates Eat algae and later some zooplankton

Nurseries Used to raise postlarvae for 3 weeks Then transferred to grow-out ponds Also acclimate salinity to match grow-out

ponds

Production Methods

Grow-out Ponds Used to grow shrimp to marketable size (3-6

months) When full grown, harvest using either net or

draining pond 2-3 harvest can be had a year (3 in warmer

climates)

Feeding

Zoeae larvae feed on algae so most ponds are fertilized to assist in the growth of phytoplankton

Myses larvae will also feed on zooplankton so some systems add Artemia as a food source

The postlarvae can feed on these food sources but at times will be fed an artificial feed to assist in their nutritional needs

Water Chemistry

PH range 7-9

Dissolved Oxygen 5-15 ppm

Temperature range 26-29 C

5-35 ppt salinity

100-500 water hardness For calcification of shells

Advantages and Disadvantages

Relatively short generation time (around 6 months)

FCR from 1.2:1 – 2.5:1 Minimal extra feed to

purchase Very popular food item

Need different care for different larvae types

High densities of monoculture increase risk of disease

Has a bad name from China and Taiwans irresponsibility to the environment (Mangrove destruction)

THE END

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