16 Key Rules for Effective Shrimp/Prawn Farm Management: From Planning to Reduce Production Cost

Shrimp farming business is a profitable business in the aquaculture industry. Successful Shrimp farming mainly depends on the selection of suitable locations. To achieve success, it is essential to produce quality products. So you should take the resources into your hands to get enough information about Shrimp farming. Below are some important rules for effective shrimp farming.

Key Rules for Effective Shrimp/Prawn Farm Management
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Key rules for effective Shrimp/Prawn farm management

Key rules for best management practices in Shrimp farming

Biosecurity in Shrimp farming includes storage of disease-free seed, pond preparation, water screening, prevention of entry of disease-carrying individuals, personal hygiene, and sanitation. 

Effective rules for increasing Shrimp growth 

  • Providing quality feed and proper care and management. Shrimp must be fed a quality and reliable diet to ensure rapid growth. 
  • Proper water management. 
  • Offering the best supplements.
  • Using the best aeration solutions. 

Key rules for selecting Shrimp varieties and their suitability 

Due to their large size and high value, Penaeus monodon and P. indicus are commonly considered for Shrimp cultivation. It has also been observed that both these species are suitable for cultivation. Apart from these candidates, other commercially important species like Metapenaeus ensis, M. monoceros, M. brevicornis, Penaeus semisulcatus, and P. merguiensis are also potential species be grown in India.

Another potential candidate species flooding the international market is the white-legged Shrimp, Penaeus vinami. Although the Indian government has not yet banned its culture in the country, many Asian countries have already started cultivating this breed. 

Selection of site for Shrimp culture to reduce the production cost

The selection of suitable sites always plays a vital role in Shrimp farming. The location for Shrimp farming is determined only after analyzing information on topography, ecosystem, climate, and socio-economic conditions to farm design, species compatibility, and economic viability. Criteria are presented here that can serve as guidelines in evaluating the suitability of a site. Site selection is an essential process in Shrimp farming as it can often decide the success or failure of a Shrimp farm, small or large.

Apart from the technical (biological, physical, and chemical) aspects of aquaculture, environmental and socio-economic aspects covering social, economic, and legal issues should be considered while finalizing the site for setting up a Shrimp farm. It is important to look at the site’s previous use(s) and topography to determine its suitability and the cost of building the farm. Large-scale Shrimp aquaculture can place excessive demands on land resources, leading to multi-user conflicts.

The construction of Shrimp farms may encroach on agricultural land. States should conduct a detailed survey to identify the lands/areas suitable for various purposes and allocate suitable areas for Shrimp farming. They should discourage the conversion of agricultural land to aquaculture. Construction of Shrimp ponds should be allowed on marginal land, which is not suitable for cultivation. However, the cooperative and competitive activities of the concerned sectors should also be considered when approving Shrimp farms’ establishment.

Generally, loamy loam is preferred. Maintaining a farm in a sandy area would involve high capital and operational costs because of the high water runoff through sandy soils and the potential environmental damage this may cause. Moreover, the topography of the soil and its contours should be considered for the amount of water and drainage points and the construction cost. A better site involves less capital to construct fully drainable ponds.

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Prawn Farming
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Ways to increase the growth rate of Shrimp 

  1. Providing quality feed and proper care and management – Shrimp must be fed a quality and reliable diet to ensure rapid growth. It would be best if you offered high-quality feed, and using natural feed is a good option. A given feed contains all the nutrients required to maintain good Shrimp health and achieve expected growth performance. If you employ some workforce, you must ensure they are dedicated and disciplined. To increase Shrimp production per unit and area, you need an upgraded level of management skills. 
  2. Proper water management – You should keep the water at specific levels to promote optimal fish growth. Not only is depth, but water quality is essential to help Shrimp thrive quickly. In intensive farming systems, large amounts of metabolites are released into the water, and unused feed also reaches the bottom of the pond, contaminating the water. To prevent water quality from deteriorating, you must constantly refresh the pool water. Fresh water should be allowed to flow into the pond from the water source, and the old water should be adequately drained with the help of an outlet gate. Extensive cleaning methods should also be used between cycles to maintain optimal cleanliness. 
  3. Offering the best supplements – A wide range of feed ingredients can be used to create your supplemental feeds. The simplest fish feed can be made at the pond site with the help of locally available raw materials. You must combine the right ingredients to ensure the proper distribution of all the nutrients. You can use rice mill dust, copra meal, and corn or rice bran as sources of carbohydrates and supplement them with animal proteins such as snail meat, Shrimp heads, slaughterhouse scraps, and fish waste. This combination meets the needs of all Shrimp species, and awareness of the right feed promotes rapid growth.

Shrimp culture techniques are influenced by Shrimp culture

  • Climate 
  • Location 
  • Land, water, electricity availability, and cost 
  • Transportation and cost 
  • Credit availability and cost and payment terms 
  • Labor availability and cost 
  • Feed/fertilizer /Availability and cost of probiotics 
  • National planning regulations and environmental control 
  • Import/export costs 
  • Proximity to existing market 

Effective rules for selection of Shrimp seed 

Selection and storage of good quality and adequate quantity of Shrimp seed (PL) in the pond are essential. All farmers in the area should stock Shrimp seed under the contract hatchery system at the same time as per the harvest calendar (within one to two weeks)—certified Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) stock from registered hatcheries or sources selling high-health disease-free seed. PCR tested healthy seed.

Healthy, disease-free broodstock should be procured from approved hatcheries that comply with the norms. Shrimp seed must pass salinity stress tests for salinity and formalin. The seedlings of the same batch should be adequately oxygenated based on the distance, time, and temperature maintenance necessary for adequate quantity in a hatchery format. 

Seed stocking – The seed should be released into the pond after proper acclimatization. This is usually during the cool hours of the day – Either after 8 pm or before 8 am. Make sure the plankton bloom is nice and stable (green-colored water). Avoid stocking if the pond has clear water or dark green water. 

Adopt better management practices for Shrimp farming

Pond preparation methods: Provide Shrimp with clean pond bottoms and good, stable water quality. 

Increase the water storage capacity of ponds – To reduce disease risks and over-reliance on water exchange, the pond’s water storage capacity should be maintained by maintaining a minimum water level of 1.2 meters in the middle of the pond. 

Drain the water completely from the pond – Thorough drainage of water helps remove disease-carrying fish and crustaceans from previous crops in the pond. If draining is not possible, follow the wet preparation method. 

Remove organic waste from the bottom of the pond – Organic matter releases toxic gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide into the pond, which kills the Shrimp. Organic waste occurs as a black layer on the soil in the feeding area, corners, trenches, and ponds with aerators in the center and should be checked for the presence of the black layer when wet. In addition, ensure that displaced organic waste does not re-enter the pond through rainwater. 

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Shrimp Farming
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Factors that influence the Shrimp production

In turn, the success of stock-recruitment depends on climatic factors, levels of predation, food supply, and habitat quality. Although not definitively defined for penaeid Shrimp, habitat is considered the primary factor influencing long-term sustained Shrimp harvest.

Water Quality – Water quality includes all water’s inherent Physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics. At any selected site, the pH of the water is preferably from 7.5 to 8.5. Another equally important chemical characteristic of water is the level of oxygen saturation in the water column. Fluctuations in dissolved oxygen levels should be predetermined, and oxygen levels should preferably not be less than four ppm. 

The water should not be too cloudy. Water with very high silt loads can cause siltation problems in water supply systems, such as clogging filter nets or trap walls and increased sedimentation at the bottom of ponds. The water should preferably be rich in microorganisms. Salinity variability is considered an essential factor in Shrimp production. The optimal level varies by species. Ideally, salinity should remain constant during normal weather and not drop suddenly during rainy days. 

Soil – The types and composition of the area should be analyzed before settling on a site for mud crab farming. Soil samples should be taken randomly, preferably to a depth of 0.5 meters, and subjected to physical and chemical tests to determine acidity, amount of organic load, fertility level, and physical composition. 

The soil of the proposed site should have sufficient soil resistance. It is to ensure that there will be water in the ponds created. Good quality dikes are usually made of sandy clay or sandy loam material that is hard and easily compacted. Dykes will not collapse in dry weather. A clay loam or silty loam at the bottom of the pond promotes the growth of natural nutrient organisms. Diking material made from non-decomposing plant matter and charred sediments should be avoided. 

Most ponds developed along coastal areas with dense mangrove vegetation often have an acid sulfate problem during the first few years of farming. The disintegration of pyrites in waterlogged soil is minimal. During pond construction, the subsoil is excavated for dikes, and the bottom of the pond is leveled; the pyrites oxidize to produce sulfuric acid that acidifies the soil.

The pH of the water becomes extremely low, and hence the water quality is affected; thus, the natural product is also reduced. Alleviating acid sulfate conditions in ponds requires lime application, acid extraction, and leaching.

Key rules for Shrimp aquaculture practices 

The technology and intensity of Shrimp farming determine production, productivity, and ecological and socio-cultural impacts on the coastal environment. Currently, traditional/improved traditional and scientific large-scale Shrimp farming practices are most common and adopted by farmers in coastal areas of the country. Conventional/improved conventional systems have low stocking density and limited use of additional feed or fertilizers.

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Shrimp Farming Setup
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In extensive farming, supplementary feed and seeds are encouraged to more efficiently coordinate the use of land and water resources in coastal areas. However, other Shrimp farming technologies, such as semi-intensive and intensive, are not recommended because they involve a high stocking density of seed and large amounts of feed and fertilizers.

Such processes generally place great demands on natural resources and result in high organic loads, resulting in pollution and social impacts in coastal areas. Therefore, only traditional/improved traditional and scientifically based Shrimp farming systems will be allowed in coastal areas. 

Best practices for Shrimp farming 

  1. External nursery – External nurseries allow Shrimp farmers to monitor baby Shrimp closely. This best practice improves Shrimp survival rates, farm sustainability, and farmers’ incomes. It is the most important process for raising Shrimp, and farmers who incorporate outdoor nurseries are far more successful and reduce their risk quickly.
  2. Central drain system – Farmers have realized the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy farming environment to avoid disease. Central drainage systems clean sediment and detritus material from the bottom of the pond. Farm workers run the central drain several times a day to remove this waste, helping to create a cleaner environment. This method keeps the pond water clean, improves viability, and increases the sustainability of the Shrimp farm. As a result, central drain farms are more successful and more sustainable.
  3. Crab and bird nets – Crab and bird nets are safety nets that keep predatory species away from Shrimp farms. Rogue Shrimp from local waterways can destroy pond infrastructure, carry diseases, and force emergency harvests of Shrimp before they reach optimal size. Additionally, native waterfowl may eat crabs. Farms with this infrastructure can raise Shrimp and have high survival rates. 
  4. Aerators – Aerators usually consist of rotating paddle wheels or oxygen lines that increase the dissolved oxygen in the pond. This equipment is essential to Shrimp farming because it enables us to grow Shrimp more efficiently at higher densities. In addition, ponds with high levels of dissolved oxygen reduce overall Shrimp stress, minimize disease risk and increase growth rates. 
  5. Pond liners – Pond liners reduce erosion on Shrimp farms, particularly through a water-circulating aerator system. Fully lined ponds can also reduce runoff and the water needed to raise Shrimp. However, there is an ongoing debate among farmers as to whether partially lined or fully lined ponds are more sustainable – fully lined ponds reduce the amount of seepage into the ground. Still, partially Lined ponds allow crabs to eat algae and small insects that thrive on the bottom of the soil. The benefit of using pond liners is that it helps reduce edge erosion and maintenance costs.

Pond design and construction for Shrimp production

There is no standard design for Shrimp ponds. Farming practices today still depend heavily on individual farmers’ experience, financial ability, and on-site environmental conditions. From an engineering point of view, Shrimp ponds are essential for a better finfish culture pond. The refined structural design is largely due to the behavior of Penaeid Shrimps. P. monodon is a benthic animal and has a habit of congregating along tank walls.

Therefore, any design to increase wall surface, e.g., adding substrates or raised mud platforms extending to the pond’s edges, can promote stocking density. An ideal Shrimp farm consists of a complex establishment: 

  1. Nursery and grow-out ponds of various sizes, 
  2. Water control structures, and 
  3. Auxiliary Facilities like roads, bridges, residential quarters, workshops, warehouses, etc. 

Size and Shape of Culture Ponds – Rectangular or square ponds are suitable for Shrimp culture. The longest axis of the pond should be parallel to the prevailing wind direction. It facilitates water movement caused by wind action, which increases dissolved oxygen in the water and reduces water temperature fluctuations during summer or warmer months. 

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Shrimp
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Feed management rules in Shrimp farming

Feed ingredients for Shrimps should not contain contaminants, anti-nutritional factors, microbial toxins, or prohibited antibiotics. Farmed wet food should not be used. However, crustaceans should be avoided as an ingredient when wet feed is used. 

  • An only dry, nutritionally balanced pelleted feed with optimum water stability should be used. 
  • The freshly obtained feed should be used as much as possible. Under no circumstances should feed stored for more than two months be used. 
  • Feed trays should be distributed widely throughout the pond. 
  • Overfeeding and underfeeding should be avoided. 

Key rules for disease control in Shrimps   

The introduction of pathogens can cause large disease outbreaks in Shrimp with devastating consequences. When Shrimp get sick with certain diseases, they float to the surface instead of the bottom of the production pond. The seagulls swoop down, eat the diseased Shrimp, and then defecate in ponds miles away, spreading the pathogen. 

When Shrimp farms are closed due to disease, there are socio-economic impacts, including loss of employment. About 80 percent of Shrimp species are farmed from just two species – Penaeus vannamei (Pacific white Shrimp) and Penaeus monodon (giant tiger Shrimp). Then, these monocultures are susceptible to disease. 

Care should be taken to collect all Shrimp in the pond to prevent the spread of disease. Do not stop feeding common ponds during disease outbreaks. Without feeding, crabs become weak and prone to disease. 

Harvesting for Shrimp farm growth

When the Shrimps have grown to the required market size, they are removed from the stocked ponds and sent for processing. There are different methods of harvesting. 

  • Harvesting using bag nets at outlets 
  • Harvesting using dragnet 
  • Harvesting using hand picking

Successful Shrimp harvesting can be achieved if the Shrimp are grown in good condition in a short period. Harvesting techniques should not damage the Shrimp or contaminate it with waste. Fast harvesting will reduce the risk of bacterial contamination and keep the Shrimp fresh when they reach the processor. 

Complete harvesting can be done by draining pond water using bag nets and handpicking. The average culture period is about 120-150 days, during which the prawns will grow to a size of 15-30 grams depending on the species type. A batch of farmed Shrimp can be placed between layers of crushed ice before being transported to the market.

Common mistakes avoided in Shrimp farming practices 

Poor pond preparation

Proper pond preparation is a must! We must have heard this often. It is equally important to analyze if there is any history of disease in the selected area. It will be the first baby step towards good farming practices. 

Best Practices: Pool cleaning and disinfection; proper pond preparation before stocking 

Overstocking

Shrimp are highly sensitive to many environmental factors, and stress is one of them. Overstocking can increase stress in Shrimp; a commonly observed effect is reduced growth. Also, it increases the chances of the crop being affected by various diseases. 

Best Practices: Stocking the pond with the right number of Shrimp. An ideal number would be 40-60 prawns/square meters. 

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Prawns
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3. Overfeeding

Accumulation of feed particles in the pond does more harm than good. It decomposes and gradually degrades the pond environment and makes it more toxic. Toxic compounds will poison the Shrimp in the pond. 

Best practice: Feed only the right amount of food. Constantly check the pond to see if the feed is being consumed, and increase/decrease the amount of feed accordingly. 

Conclusion 

These key rules help Shrimp farmers produce delicious Shrimp more efficiently and sustainably. Many of these farms are family-run, and using these improved practices improves their quality of life. Additionally, optimal handling improves the health and quality of Shrimp, which improves the flavor of the Shrimp on your dinner plate. These best practices help farmers by increasing Shrimp survival rates, minimizing natural resource use, and improving long-term sustainability.

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