[Editor's Note] In 2004, for most South American white shrimp farmers, it was an extremely challenging year. Due to low breeding survival rates, high production costs, and unstable market prices, traditional shrimp farming areas such as Guangdong in China, which had a significant share of white shrimp culture, suffered heavy losses. Shrimp farmers faced serious financial setbacks, prompting many to seek new shrimp species that could replace the white shrimp in cultivation. In response to this demand, we have prepared this special article on the culture of South American blue shrimp.
*Litopenaeus stylirostris*, commonly known as the South American blue shrimp, belongs to the order Arthropoda, class Crustacea, suborder Decapoda, family Penaeidae, and genus *Penaeus*. It is a widely cultivated tropical prawn native to the Pacific coast of Latin America. This species can be farmed year-round in its native region and is often raised alongside white shrimp. It offers several advantages, including a fast growth rate, low feed cost, wide tolerance to temperature and salinity, good resistance to low dissolved oxygen levels, strong disease resistance, and a high meat yield. With continuous improvements in breeding techniques and the availability of SPF (specific pathogen-free) shrimp, artificial breeding has gradually become more common. China began introducing and popularizing the species after 2000, achieving successful breeding, and it is now a key cultured species in the country.
**1. Variety Characteristics**
**1.1 Biological Features**
The South American blue shrimp has a thin shell, with a pale white or slightly yellow body and small round black spots. Its two long antennae are pink, and the rostrum is long, pointed, and slightly upturned. The upper edge has eight teeth, while the lower edge has four.
**1.2 Living Habits**
The optimal growth temperature for this species is between 20°C and 28°C. At 10°C, feeding becomes abnormal, and at 8°C, they stop eating altogether. Growth is hindered when water temperatures exceed 32°C. It is a euryhaline species, capable of surviving in both saltwater and freshwater, with an optimal salinity range of 5‰ to 25‰. It prefers a pH of 7.6 to 8.6, and dissolved oxygen should be above 4 mg/L but not less than 2 mg/L. Ammonia levels must remain below 0.2 mg/L, and hydrogen sulfide below 0.1 mg/L. Water clarity should be maintained between 30 cm and 60 cm.
**1.3 Shell Growth and Larval Rearing**
Larval rearing takes about 4 to 6 days. Shrimps molt monthly, especially around the first month. They begin to grow oyster shells during this period, reaching commercial size in 60 to 80 days.
**1.4 Feeding Habits**
The blue shrimp is an omnivore with a lower protein requirement compared to Japanese shrimp (*Penaeus japonicus*) and *P. monodon*. It tends to feed both day and night, preferring group activity.
**2. Breeding and Management**
**2.1 Pond Selection**
Ponds should be approximately 10 mu (about 0.67 hectares) in area, with a depth of 1.8 to 2.5 meters. The bottom should have some sediment, and drainage should be efficient and pollution-free. An average of 4 acres of pond requires one 1 kW aerator.
**2.2 Disinfection**
Before stocking, the pond must be thoroughly cleaned. After removing sludge, 150 kg of quicklime is evenly spread over the pond, then soaked for 2–5 days before draining. Two weeks prior to stocking, the pond is filled with 0.8–1.0 m of water and disinfected with 0.5–1 ppm chlorine dioxide. Inlet nets with 80 mesh should be used to prevent unwanted fish and shrimp from entering.
**2.3 Feed Cultivation**
After clearing the pond, basic food organisms are introduced 5 days before seedlings are released. Organic or inorganic fertilizers can be used. Organic options include fermented chicken manure, applied at 30–50 kg per mu. Inorganic fertilizers like urea (2 kg/mu) and superphosphate (3 kg/mu) are also effective. Adjustments can be made based on water conditions and weather. After 7–10 days, the water turns yellow-green or dark brown, with a clarity of 30–40 cm. Bio-fertilizers like Pei Shui Po and Fei Shui Su have proven effective in improving water quality.
**2.4 Seedling Selection and Stocking**
Healthy, virus-free seedlings are essential for successful breeding. Untested seedlings should not be stocked blindly. Seedlings should be 0.6–0.8 cm in length, with salinity reduced to about 0.5‰ in nursery ponds. Water temperature should be above 19°C. Unlike white shrimp, blue shrimp do not thrive under high-density conditions. A recommended stocking density is 10,000–15,000 per acre. Temperature differences during stocking should not exceed 5°C, preferably within 2°C, and salinity differences no more than 5‰. Ensure uniform distribution and sufficient acclimation time.
**2.5 Daily Management**
Regular monitoring of water and sediment parameters is crucial. During early growth, maintain optimal water temperature (24°C–32°C), salinity (5‰–50‰), pH (7.3–8.6), dissolved oxygen (≥5 mg/L), ammonia nitrogen (≤0.2 mg/L), and transparency (30–40 cm). For pre-cultivation (before 6 cm), add new water and top-dress as needed to maintain plankton density. Avoid frequent water changes; instead, gradually increase water level to 1.5–2 m. During mid-growth (6–10 cm), increase aeration and water exchange as organic matter rises. Introduce small organisms like clams and planktivorous fish to improve water quality. In the later stage (over 10 cm), increase water exchange, keep aeration running, and add beneficial bacteria every two weeks to enhance water quality.
**2.6 Feeding Management**
In early stages, natural food may be sufficient. As the shrimp grow, supplement with artificial feed. Currently, there is no specific feed for blue shrimp, so white shrimp feed can be used. In late stages, offer clean live food to boost growth and reduce costs. Feed management should be balanced, ensuring shrimps eat well without waste. Follow these guidelines: feed less than four times daily, avoid feeding during peak sunlight, check for empty stomachs after 1.5 hours, reduce feeding when temperatures are extreme, skip feeding during storms or cold currents, adjust feeding based on water quality, and monitor bio-food levels closely.
**2.7 Disease Prevention**
South American blue shrimp are naturally disease-resistant. Proper prevention measures can ensure survival. However, poor environmental conditions can still lead to infections. Focus on water quality control, regular disinfection with lime water (10–15 kg/mu), and microbial preparations like photosynthetic bacteria every 20 days. Add vitamins and allicin to feed to strengthen immunity. Bacterial diseases, particularly those caused by *Vibrio*, are common. Treat by adjusting environment, using external disinfectants, or oral antibiotics. Nutritional issues like slow growth or soft shells are due to imbalances or sudden changes. Improve feeding with high-quality feed. Other potential issues include protozoan infections, algae toxicity, and environmental stress. Early detection and prompt action are critical.
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