Six key considerations for stocking shrimp fry in shrimp farming

As shrimp enter the peak harvest period in various regions, most shrimp farmers have by now finished the first crop of production, and many have entered the fry stocking stage for the second crop of shrimp farming. The author introduces the current key considerations for shrimp fry stocking as follows, for reference by peers.

1. Selection of the shrimp fry farm: When purchasing shrimp fry, choose fry produced by a farm with a high technical level, large scale, complete equipment, preferably one that has broodstock spawning, a good reputation, convenient transportation, and is relatively close by.

2. Measurement of water quality in the shrimp fry pond and disease testing

(1) Measure the water temperature, salinity, and pH value of the shrimp fry pond; these must not differ too greatly from the water quality indicators of the pond to be stocked.

(2) Randomly sample shrimp fry for virus testing; fry carrying viruses must not be used.

3. Standards for high-quality shrimp fry

(1) Size and body color. For black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), a body length of about 1.2 cm with a black color is good; for whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), a body length of about 0.8 cm with a transparent color is good.

(2) The shrimp fry should be plump and sturdy, complete in form, with a smooth body surface, no attachments anywhere on the body, no injuries or deformities, and the population should develop uniformly and evenly.

(3) The shrimp fry should have full body muscle, with food filling the stomach and intestines, and should jump and move agilely, responding very quickly to external stimuli.

(4) The edge of the shrimp fry's carapace should not curl up, the eyes should be clear and symmetrical, the eyestalks forked, the antennae held together, and the tail fan spread open.

(5) The shrimp fry should have a strong ability to swim against the current, show wall-clinging behavior, and disperse quickly and evenly when placed in a water ladle.

4. Purchasing shrimp fry

(1) Two days before purchasing fry, place 30-50 healthy shrimp fry in a 1 sq m, 40-mesh net cage in the pond for a water test. If the survival rate after 24 hours of stocking is above 90%, the fry can be stocked; otherwise, it indicates that the pond water quality is not yet suitable for stocking.

(2) When purchasing shrimp fry, choose fry from the same batch, preferably from the same pond. Count the number of fry as accurately as possible and buy enough in one go.

5. Transporting shrimp fry

(1) Before transporting fry, understand the weather changes; transporting on a sunny day is best.