Shrimp Tank Stocking

Shrimp stocking density in tanks (Litopenaeus vannamei)

The Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) runs the show in Brazilian carcinoculture. It makes up more than 95% of national output, most of which comes out of Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará. How densely you stock depends on the system you run. Extensive ponds sit at 5-15 post-larvae per square meter (PL/m²), semi-intensive setups at 15-150 PL/m², and intensive systems with aeration push to 200-300 PL/m². To convert that to a tank volume, use PL = volume_L × density / 1000, which assumes 1 m² for every 1000 L of water column at 1 m depth.

A grow-out cycle usually runs 90-120 days and brings the shrimp to a harvest weight of 12-18 g. Keep water temperature in the 26-30°C band for the best growth; drop below 22°C and metabolism slows to a crawl. The wide salinity tolerance (5-35‰) is what makes inland low-salinity farming possible. Brazilian operations work under MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture) and IBAMA environmental licensing, and ANVISA regulates the feed and additives.

Applications

Planning how many PL to buy from the hatchery, sizing aeration gear like paddle wheels and blowers, budgeting feed against the FCR (feed conversion ratio of 1.4-1.8), and scheduling harvests for processors. Cooperatives in the Northeast lean on density planners to match production with export contracts and the domestic market.

FAQ

How many shrimp fit in a 1000 L tank? At a semi-intensive density of 50 PL/m² you are looking at roughly 50 post-larvae; at an intensive 200 PL/m² it climbs to about 200 PL. Check it against your aeration capacity before committing.

Does temperature affect stocking? It does. Cooler water below 25°C eases oxygen demand but also stunts growth, so winter ponds do better at lower densities.

What is the survival rate? Grow-out ponds that are managed well land around 70-85%, and intensive raceways running biofloc can clear 90%.