AquaSetu™ | Aquaculture Knowledge Hub

Shrimp mortality is a warning that requires investigation. The cause may involve water quality, infectious disease, environmental stress, toxic exposure or a combination of factors. The appearance of dead shrimp alone is not enough to identify the cause. A structured response can help farmers avoid unnecessary interventions and provide useful information to technical professionals. Step 1: Check immediate pond conditions Measure dissolved oxygen promptly and assess other relevant water-quality parameters. Review recent weather, power interruptions, water exchange, feeding changes and any unusual events. If there is an immediate oxygen or equipment emergency, follow the farm's established response plan. Step 2: Record what has changed Document when mortality started, which ponds are affected, approximate numbers or trends, recent feed consumption and any changes in shrimp behaviour. Record observations before making major management changes where it is safe to do so. Step 3: Seek a ...

Water quality is central to shrimp farming because shrimp depend on their surrounding water for respiration and other essential physiological functions. Poor water conditions can affect feeding, growth, health and survival. The challenge is that pond water changes throughout the day and across the crop cycle. A single reading cannot describe the full condition of a pond. Which parameters should farmers monitor? Dissolved oxygen: Oxygen availability can change with time of day, weather, pond productivity and the respiration of shrimp and other organisms. Temperature: Temperature influences shrimp metabolism, feeding activity and oxygen demand. pH: pH affects the chemical environment of the pond and can influence the proportion of unionised ammonia in water. Salinity: Changes in salinity may affect shrimp osmoregulation, particularly when changes occur rapidly. Nitrogen compounds: Ammonia and nitrite should be assessed as part of a broader water-quality management programme. Risk depends...

 Shrimp seed selection is one of the earliest decisions that can influence crop performance. Poor stocking decisions may create problems that become difficult or expensive to manage later. A farmer should evaluate more than the quoted price or the apparent activity of post-larvae. Seed selection should include source verification, health information, transport planning and appropriate acclimatisation. 1. Verify the source Obtain the hatchery's identity, relevant registration details, batch information and available health documentation. Confirm applicable requirements with the Coastal Aquaculture Authority and other competent authorities. 2. Review health information Ask for relevant test results and documentation for the batch. Where applicable, verify the meaning and scope of claims such as SPF—specific pathogen free. SPF status refers to specified pathogens under defined testing and biosecurity conditions; it does not mean shrimp are immune to every disease. 3. Observe seed cond...

 A successful shrimp crop begins before the first post-larvae enters the pond. Pond preparation creates the conditions for effective water management, responsible stocking and better control of production risks. However, pond preparation is not simply a matter of drying the pond, applying inputs and filling it again. The right approach depends on pond design, soil condition, previous crop performance, water source and the farming system. 1. Review the previous crop Before starting preparation, review the previous crop's performance. Record the harvest result, feed consumption, mortality observations, water-quality problems and any disease investigation. These records can help identify issues that need attention before the next stocking. 2. Inspect the pond bottom After draining, inspect the pond bottom for accumulated organic matter, sludge pockets, damaged liners, erosion and blocked drainage points. Remove waste appropriately and assess whether drying or other corrective measures...

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the oxygen available in water for aquatic organisms. In shrimp farming, oxygen management is a daily operational priority because both shrimp and other organisms in the pond consume oxygen. During daylight, photosynthetic organisms can produce oxygen when light is available. At night, photosynthesis stops while respiration continues. As a result, dissolved oxygen can decline overnight and may reach a low point near dawn, although actual patterns depend on pond conditions. Why early-morning checks matter An afternoon reading may look satisfactory while the pond experiences a much lower oxygen level before sunrise. Measuring at useful times—including early morning—helps farmers understand daily variation rather than relying on a single measurement. Monitor more carefully when there is cloudy weather, heavy plankton growth, elevated organic matter, unusually high feeding, increased shrimp biomass or equipment failure. How aeration helps Aerators transfer oxygen in...