Whiteleg Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) Farming: A Production Guide

Whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) is the world's dominant farmed shrimp. Production relies on SPF postlarvae, intensive ponds, and strict biosecurity against viral disease.

Overview

Whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei, also written Litopenaeus vannamei) is the most important farmed shrimp in the world. Native to the eastern Pacific from Mexico to Peru, it surpassed the giant tiger prawn in farmed volume in 2004 and by the late 2010s accounted for the large majority of farmed shrimp, with global farmed shrimp production around 5 million tonnes. Major producers include Ecuador, China, Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. Its fast growth, tolerance of a wide salinity range, and the availability of domesticated specific-pathogen-free (SPF) stock have driven its dominance.

Hatchery and seed production

Production begins in hatcheries that mature and spawn broodstock, then rear larvae through nauplius, zoea, and mysis stages to postlarvae. A defining feature of the industry is the use of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) broodstock and postlarvae, supported by quarantine and biosecurity, because stocking healthy postlarvae is a key factor for survival during grow-out. Larvae are fed cultured microalgae and live feeds such as Artemia. FAO has published hatchery health-management and biosecurity guidelines for the species.

Culture systems

• Semi-intensive and intensive brackish-water ponds, increasingly with plastic-lined bottoms
• Biofloc systems that recycle nutrients and support higher densities with limited water exchange
• Some recirculating (RAS) and super-intensive systems
• Tolerates salinity from about 0 to 40 parts per thousand, optimally around 15-25
• Requires aeration to maintain dissolved oxygen, with optimal temperatures roughly 22-35 degrees C

Grow-out, feed, and harvest

Stocking density depends on the system, from tens of postlarvae per square meter in semi-intensive ponds to far higher densities in intensive and biofloc systems; lower densities generally give better survival and growth, while intensive systems trade this for higher yield per area. Shrimp are fed formulated feeds, and the production cycle typically runs a few months to reach harvest size. Ponds are harvested by draining and netting or by partial harvests.

Disease and biosecurity

Viral and bacterial diseases are the main constraint on whiteleg shrimp farming, including white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), Taura syndrome virus, infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV), the microsporidian Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), and acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Because there are no cures for the viral diseases, control depends on SPF and disease-resistant stock, biosecurity, and pond and water management.