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Vannamei (Litopenaeus vannamei) shrimp farming

Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), known commercially as vannamei, is a brackishwater shrimp native to the eastern Pacific that has become the dominant aquaculture shrimp in India. Since its legalisation in 2009 it has largely replaced the indigenous black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) in commercial farms along the east and west coasts.

Key characteristics

  • Family: Penaeidae
  • Salinity tolerance: euryhaline; cultured at salinity 9-11 ppt in most Indian farms, with year-round culture possible
  • Crop cycle: 90-130 days from post-larva to harvest
  • Water parameters: pH 7.5-8.5, dissolved oxygen 4-6 mg/L

Cultivation

ICAR-CIBA and NBFGR jointly conducted the risk analysis that led to vannamei being legalised for Indian commercial culture in 2009. The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA), established in 2005, regulates brood-stock import, hatcheries and farm registration. Ponds follow standard earthen-pond engineering (Fish Pond Construction) with mechanical paddle-wheel aeration (Shrimp Pond Aeration), accredited specific-pathogen-free seed (Fingerling Seed Quality), and predator-exclusion netting (Pond Biosecurity Bird Snake Netting). MPEDA publishes the standard cropping pattern and management advisories.

Health profile

Major pathogens of concern include white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), early mortality syndrome / AHPND, EHP (enterocytozoon hepatopenaei) and running mortality syndrome. Biosecurity practices — pond drying, lime treatment, certified seed, controlled water exchange and disinfection of equipment — are the principal disease-management tools. Farm registration with the CAA includes a disease-reporting requirement.

Adoption and use

India became the world's second-largest L. vannamei producer after legalisation, with national production reaching about 8.9 lakh tonnes in 2020. The species supports a major export-oriented seafood industry under the MPEDA. Pond development and biosecurity upgrades for shrimp farming are eligible for support under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (Pmmsy).

See also: Shrimp Pond Aeration, Fingerling Seed Quality, Fish Pond Construction, Pond Biosecurity Bird Snake Netting, Murrel Korameenu Farming.

References

  1. Shrimp (LV & BT). MPEDA Farmers portal.
  2. Shrimp Culture and Disease Management. ICAR-CIBA training manual.
  3. Farming practices of Litopenaeus vannamei. Journal of the Indian Fisheries Society of India.