Shrimp Pond Care & Environmental Management | Whiteleg Shrimp Farming Protocol in Liner Ponds (Part 6 & 7)
WHITELEG SHRIMP FARMING PROTOCOL IN LINER PONDS
V. Pond Management & Shrimp Care – Pond Environment Control
II. Stage 2: Grow-out Phase
The grow-out phase is typically divided into two sub-stages:
Stage 1: From 30 to 60 days of age
Stage 2: From 60 days of age until harvest
1. Stage 1: From 30–60 Days of Age
1.1. Culture Duration
The grow-out phase usually begins after shrimp are transferred from the nursery (veo) pond to the main grow-out pond, typically when shrimp reach 30–60 days of age.
1.2. Shrimp Transfer Methods
When moving shrimp from the nursery pond to the grow-out pond, farmers may use either of the two transfer methods:
| Transfer Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Drag-net transfer | Allows farmers to check the remaining shrimp quantity in the pond and remove weak individuals. | May cause stress or physical abrasion to shrimp. |
| Pipe discharge transfer | Does not cause stress or injury to shrimp during transfer. | Cannot check the remaining shrimp quantity; weak shrimp and accumulated waste from the nursery pond may be transferred into the grow-out pond. |
1.3. Important Notes During Shrimp Transfer
Carefully evaluate shrimp health before transferring: shrimp must be strong, active, not in the molting cycle, with firm shells, no deformities, and no signs of muscle opacity when checking feeding trays.
To reduce stress and early mortality, apply SITTO C-SPARK at 0.5–1 kg per nursery tank before transfer.
Ensure the water in the grow-out pond is well-prepared, with stable environmental parameters within the ideal range.
Before transferring, compare environmental parameters between nursery and grow-out ponds (pH, alkalinity, temperature). Differences should not be too large to avoid shrimp shock.
During transfer, apply SITTO C-SPARK at 1–2 kg per 1,000 m³ in the grow-out pond to minimize stress and reduce post-transfer mortality.
1.4. Managing Water Quality Parameters
a. Daily Monitoring
During nursery and early grow-out periods, farmers must regularly monitor key water quality parameters:
pH, alkalinity, temperature: at least twice daily (7:00 and 15:00)
Toxic gases (NH₃, NO₂) and mineral levels: once daily
| ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS TO BE MAINTAINED | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Parameter | Ideal Value | Monitoring Frequency | Notes |
| pH | 7.8 – 8.2 | At least 2×/day | Strict requirement |
| Alkalinity | 100 – 120 mg/L | At least 2×/day | Strict requirement |
| Salinity | > 5‰ | At least 1×/day | Strict requirement |
| Dissolved oxygen | > 5 mg/L | At least 1×/day | Strict requirement |
| NH₃ | < 0.02 ppm | At least 1×/day | Depends on pH |
| NO₂ | < 0.5 ppm | At least 1×/day | Depends on salinity |
| H₂S | < 0.03 ppm | Every 3 days | Depends on pH |
| Calcium | > 60 mg/L | At least 1×/day | Depends on salinity |
| Magnesium | > 200 mg/L | At least 1×/day | Depends on salinity |
| Potassium | > 55 mg/L | Every 7 days | Depends on salinity |
| Iron (Fe) | < 0.1 ppm | Every 7 days | Strict requirement |
| Temperature | 28 – 32°C | At least 1×/day | Strict requirement |
b. Adjustments for Abnormal Water Quality Conditions
| Water Quality Adjustment Table | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parameter | Condition | Treatment (per 2,000 m³) | Method | Dosage | Application Time |
| pH | High | Ferment 500 g BACILLUS SUBTILIS 1090 + 4 kg molasses + 50 L water (ferment 6–8 hours) OR SITTO EM OR SITTO TAKE OFF | Apply directly | SITTO EM: 3 LSITTO TAKE OFF: 1 L | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM |
| pH | Low | Calcium Oxide (CaO) OR ULTRA-GREEN | Apply directly | CaO: 3–5 kgULTRA-GREEN: 4 kg | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM |
| Alkalinity | Low | Calcium Oxide + Dolomite OR ALK-BALANCE OR ULTRA-GREEN | Apply directly | CaO + Dolomite: 3–5 kgALK-BALANCE: 5 kgULTRA-GREEN: 4 kg | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM |
| Salinity | Low | Crystal salt OR SEA-MINER | Apply directly | Salt: 300–500 kgSEA-MINER: 5 kg | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM |
| Dissolved Oxygen (DO) | Low | Increase aeration | Mechanical | – | – |
| NH₃ | High | BACILLUS SUBTILIS 1090 OR RHODO BACCIL OR SITTO YUCCA | Apply directly | BACILLUS: 500 gRHODO BACCIL: 3 LSITTO YUCCA: 1 L | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM |
| NO₂ | High | RHODO BACCIL + clean water exchange | Apply directly | RHODO BACCIL: 3 L | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM |
| H₂S | High | BACILLUS SUBTILIS 1090 OR RHODO BACCIL OR SITTO YUCCA | Apply directly | BACILLUS: 500 gRHODO BACCIL: 3 LSITTO YUCCA: 1 L | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM |
| Minerals (Ca, Mg, K) | Low | SEA-MINER OR SITTO KALI-PHAST | Apply directly | SEA-MINER: 5 kgSITTO KALI-PHAST: 3 kg | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM |
| Iron (Fe) | High | SITTO POND MAGIC OR SITTO TAKE OFF | Apply directly | POND MAGIC: 2 kgTAKE OFF: 1 L | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM |
| Temperature | High | Adjust feeding level; increase aeration | Operational | – | – |
| Temperature | Low | Reduce or skip feedings; increase aeration | Operational | – | – |
2. Feed Management & Feeding Practices
a. Feed
Choose high-quality, nutrient-rich, easily digestible feed from reputable brands.
Select feed size appropriate for each growth stage (can be based on the shrimp’s “eye size”).
b. Feeding Practices
When transferring shrimp to the grow-out phase, feeding should be done entirely by automatic feeders. Adjust feed amount based on feeding trays (For a 1,000 m² pond: install 1–2 trays).
Check feeding trays frequently (every 1 hour) to fine-tune feeding schedules on the automatic feeder.
Medicated feed should be mixed daily and divided into 4 feeding sessions:
| Feeding Session | Additives | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 (6:00) | SITTO MIX + SITTO VIZYM | 5 g + 5 g/kg feed |
| Session 2 (9:00) | VIVAX + SITTO LIVER DETOX L | 3 ml + 5 ml/kg feed |
| Session 3 (12:00) | SITTO BERLAA + SITTO C-SPARK | 5 g + 5 g/kg feed |
| Session 4 (15:00) | SITTO VIZYM + D-MAX SHRIMP | 5 g + 5 ml/kg feed |
Stop feeding (turn off automatic feeders) at 18:00.
Methods for checking consumption and adjusting feed:
Use feeding trays
Use siphon inspection (after shrimp are >1 week old)
- Principle: “Little – Enough – Evenly – On time.”
- Never leave excess feed; if leftover feed is detected, adjust immediately.
3. Use of Probiotics & Disinfectants
| Probiotics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Functions | Dosage (per 2,000 m³) | Application Time |
| BACILLUS SUBTILIS 1090 | Water color development; organic waste degradation; stabilizes water; reduces NH₃ & H₂S | 500 g | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM (every 2–3 days) |
| SITTO LBB | Inhibits pathogenic bacteria; removes foam/scum; controls algae collapse & toxins | 250 g | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM (every 2–3 days) |
| SITTOZYME | Cleans pond bottom; removes biofilm on liners; stabilizes water | 250 g | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM (every 3–5 days) |
| SITTO EM | Suppresses and destroys harmful bacteria; cleans & stabilizes pond environment | 3 L | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM (every 2–3 days) |
| RHODO BACCIL | Rapid bottom cleaning; balances pH; increases DO availability | 3 L | 9:00 AM or 3:00 PM (every 2–3 days) |
| SITTO VIZYM | Prevents white feces; improves gut health | 5 g/kg feed | Mixed daily, fed 2 meals/day |
| Disinfectant | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Functions | Dosage (per 2,000 m³) | Application Time |
| SITTO-IODINE COMPLEX | Water disinfection; kills bacteria; prevents disease | 1 L | Evening (18:00–20:00), every 7–10 days |
| WANWAY | Rapid and powerful disinfection | 1 L | Morning (8:00–10:00), every 2–3 days |
4. Shrimp Health Management
a. Daily Activity Monitoring
Shrimp must swim actively, feed aggressively, and produce clean feces.
Check shrimp via trays and observe pond bottom (feces, dead shrimp, gas bubbles, scum).
b. Routine Health Checks
Examine shrimp under a microscope (hepatopancreas, gut, gills, muscle).
Send samples to a laboratory if abnormalities are detected.
c. Handling Abnormal Conditions
Shrimp require high mineral levels; maintain alkalinity at ≥120 mg/L.
Maintain Ca, Mg, K levels by applying:
SEA-MINER 5 kg/2,000 m³ (early morning or late afternoon).If shrimp show curved body or muscle opacity:
SITTO KALI-PHAST 3 kg/2,000 m³, applied morning or late afternoon, every 5–7 days.Every 5–7 days, apply SITTO THIO 5000 – 5 L/2,000 m³ to decompose organic waste & detoxify.
If foam and water slime appear:
SIREN 5 L/2,000 m³, every 3–5 days for water cleaning.Every 3–5 days, apply SITTOZYME 250 g/2,000 m³ to clean liners and prevent “dollar spot fungus”.
When adding water, pump from a settling pond treated with Chlorine 30 kg/1,000 m³ (ensure zero residual chlorine), filtered through a net bag before entering the nursery/grow-out pond.
5. Aeration, Water Exchange & Siphoning
Use both bottom aerators and paddlewheel aerators, distributed evenly across the pond.
Maintain an oval water flow pattern, no dead corners, directing waste to the siphon pit.
Increase aeration according to shrimp age:
| Shrimp Age | Aeration Time |
|---|---|
| 30–45 days | 12–18 hours/day |
| 45–60 days | 18–20 hours/day |
Siphoning: 2 times per day (morning & afternoon).
Water Exchange: Perform water exchange during late afternoon for more stable water temperature.
| Shrimp Age | Daily Water Exchange Rate | Adjustments |
|---|---|---|
| 30–45 days | 20%/day | If algae density is too high or water is too turbid → replace an additional 10% |
| 45–60 days | 30%/day | If algae density is too high or water is too turbid → replace an additional 15% |
