Notes when raising whiteleg shrimp

(Baonghean) - Currently, white-leg shrimp has been raised in many coastal districts in the province. Compared to the area of ​​tiger shrimp, the area of ​​white-leg shrimp accounts for the majority. There are areas where tiger shrimp farming is not effective, but when white-leg shrimp is introduced, it achieves high results. To help white-leg shrimp farmers achieve high results in 2013, we would like to recommend the following issues:

1. Pond: Whiteleg shrimp ponds have the same structure as black tiger shrimp ponds. If farming on an industrial scale, it is also required to have a settling pond. The pond renovation process also follows the same steps as black tiger shrimp ponds. If farming at high density (over 30 shrimp/m2), it is advisable to follow the process of using microorganisms because the amount of waste produced by whiteleg shrimp is higher than that of black tiger shrimp. In areas where shrimp are raised on sand with tarpaulin-lined pond bottoms, whiteleg shrimp farming is more effective than black tiger shrimp farming.



Shrimp farming model of Mr. Dai's family in Dien Trung (Dien Chau). Photo: Tran Canh Yen

2. Selecting breeds: This is the most important step that determines the success or failure of the entire farming season. Currently in Vietnam, most of the breeds on the market are of unclear origin, so the risk is very high. When buying breeds, in addition to selecting breeds based on sensory factors such as size, color, shape, etc., breeders should also choose reputable breed sellers.

- Before stocking, shrimp seeds must be tested like black tiger shrimp (white spot, yellow head, MBV...).

- The best age to post is 10-12 years old, about 1cm long.

3. Stocking density: The stocking density of whiteleg shrimp is very high, but in Nghe An area, it should reach 70-80 shrimp/m2. The seed should be released early in the morning, 5m from the shore, in the direction of the wind, and released gently to avoid making the water cloudy.

4. Care and management: Whiteleg shrimp have a high growth rate in the first 80 days, then it will slow down.

- In raising whiteleg shrimp, it is necessary to use high quality feed, the feed coefficient used is as low as possible. There are many feed brands, so you should use feed that has been announced for quality, with enough protein content for each stage of shrimp development.

- Do not buy too much food at once, only buy enough for each stage of raising.

- The body needs a lot of vitamins and minerals. If lacking, shrimp will easily become stressed and have cloudy bodies. It is necessary to add Aqua C, Grow Shrimp to the food, and Customix Stom to the pond.

- Suitable temperature is 27 - 30oC, when the weather is hot, high temperature shrimp will eat less.

- Water is the living environment of shrimp, so water quality is related to the success or failure of the farming season. Although its resistance to some factors is higher than that of black tiger shrimp, whiteleg shrimp is very sensitive to the environment. When shocked, whiteleg shrimp will not float but die at the bottom. That is why many farmers think the shrimp is fine, only when harvesting do they see that the loss is too high.

- The most suitable water pH is from 7.5 - 9.0, but the daily fluctuation should not exceed 0.5 units.

- Whiteleg shrimp grow fast and molt continuously, so they require high alkalinity. Always keep the alkalinity at no lower than 80 ppm using Dolomite or Alkalite.

- When the temperature is too high, the shrimp cannot eat and will lie at the bottom. If left for a long time, many will die. Therefore, in the hot season, the pond water level must reach 1.5 - 2 m. Do not feed during hot hours.

- Toxic gases such as NH3, H2S are often present in the pond from the second month (because white-leg shrimp excrete a lot of feces). If the concentration of toxic gases is high, the shrimp will stop eating, grow slowly and die at the bottom. The best and most effective way to handle this is to control the feed and use biological products to handle it.

5. Harvesting: Whiteleg shrimp is harvested differently from black tiger shrimp, because it is very sensitive, so if harvested incorrectly, many shrimp will die, reducing quality.

After 3 months of rearing, harvest. Shrimp size at harvest is about 60-80 shrimp/kg.

- Should harvest early in the morning, shrimp will die less and molt less.

- White leg shrimp go upstream so we can't catch them all by draining them and have to use nets.

LH (Agricultural Extension Center)