- 1). Obtain proper permits and/or licenses if you intend to sell farmed shrimp. Laws will vary according to your location and the size of your operation.
- 2). Prepare your grow-out pond or ponds. Ponds must be in an area not prone to flooding and unaffected by runoff from areas utilizing pesticides. Ponds should have a depth of 2 to 5 feet and a surface area of 1 to 5 acres. Employ skimmers, filters and aerators to keep the water quality optimal. Fertilizing the pond will ensure plenty of natural food for the shrimp in the form of algae. The pond should maintain a temperature of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH between 6.5 and 9.5.
- 3). Purchase juvenile shrimp from a hatchery. Hatching is the most difficult part of shrimp farming and should not be attempted by individuals without extensive knowledge of shrimp biology and brackish water quality maintenance.
- 4). Acclimate the shrimp to their new environment. Slowly replace the water they were transported in with water from the grow-out pond.
- 5). Stock the first grow-out pond. M. rosenbergii are aggressive, and a hierarchy is formed among males. Stocking densities need to be kept low to prevent cannibalism and stunted growth. The pond should allow for at least 4 square meters per prawn. Lower densities result in larger shrimp.
- 6). Feed the shrimp once they reach 5 grams. Smaller shrimp will receive enough nourishment from small pond organisms. A pelleted feed of at least 38% protein works well. Shrimp can be fed twice daily, with a larger feeding at dusk, as shrimp are nocturnal.
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