How to Start a Shrimp Farm
Shrimp are grown largely in Asia. In the U.S., they are raised under conditions that are highly controlled. What does intensive shrimp farming require? What conditions should be met? What equipments are needed? What can you expect under this type of shrimp farming? Find out the answers to these questions from our guide.
Much of the world’s demand for shrimp worldwide is supplied by farms from Asia, where they are grown in ponds, near a coast, in mangrove areas and rice paddies.
Shrimp farms in these regions can be grown in small tanks using low technology. In the U.S., shrimps are grown in highly controlled conditions.
Shrimp Farming Basics
Shrimp are typically grown in brackish water. A female shrimp lays thousands to millions of eggs, which hatch after about a day. The nauplii, as the hatched shrimp is called, are fed algae and brine shrimp nauplii. The nauplii develop into young shrimps after about 12 days. Some farms put the nauplii or postlarvae in nurseries before transferring them to grownout ponds, others use acclimation tanks to prepare the shrimp for transfer to grownout ponds. The transfer usually occurs around the 25th day. The young shrimp stays in the pond until they are harvested after about three to six months after hatching. Shrimp are harvested by net fishing or by draining the pond. Harvests are done once a year, but in tropical climates, where water temperature is higher, a farm could harvest two to three times a year.
Shrimps can be grown using minimum intervention or with the use of ultra-high technology. In low-technology farming, natural saltwater is used by situating the farm in coasts or mangrove areas. Shrimp density is kept low, which is 2-3 shrimp per square meter. No pumps are employed, and water exchange is left to tidal action.
Intensive Fish Farming
To hasten the shrimp growing cycle or to produce shrimp that are of uniform size, conditions must be controlled (size uniformity is one criteria with which shrimps are graded). A farming technology developed in Texas, called Galveston or “clear water” hatchery employs intensive control to breed shrimp in industrial scale. Large-scale hatcheries like this usually augment young shrimp diet of algae with commercial feed. They use big tanks that could hold up to 30 tons.
As conditions are highly controlled, it is possible to produce seedstock whole year round and to stock shrimp at higher densities. As it is possible to stock more shrimp per unit area, the pond used could be smaller. In this setup, aeration is needed to keep oxygen supply at the desired level. High water exchange is also necessary to clean the water of wastes. And so is twenty-four hour monitoring. Survival rates and yield are higher for this kind of farming. Understandably, production cost is also higher.
For resources, visit the Web site of the US Marine Shrimp Farming Program.
- Starting Salt Water Fish Business
It appears that it is not difficult to search for inexpensive salt water fish tanks. Since starting salt water fish business is not simple for newbies, make sure that you know all things about it. - Cost of Fish Farming
Are you looking for some ideas on the costs for fish farming? Here is some important information you should consider to deal with the fish farming costs.
- Franchise Opportunities
- Wholesale Business Opportunities
- Small Manufacturing Business
- Farming Business Ideas
- Unique Business Opportunities
- Shop Business Ideas
- Small Business Opportunities
- Startup Company Ideas
- Home Based Business Opportunity
- Rural Business Opportunities
- Tips for Buying and Selling
- Starting Rental Business
- Ideas for Small Business
- Free Business Ideas
- Internet Business Ideas
- Store Business Opportunities
- Entrepreneur Business Idea
- Retail Store Ideas
- Service Business Ideas
- Advice for Small Business
- Financing a Small Business
- Restaurant Business Opportunities
- Small Business Articles
- Business Marketing and Advertising
- Repair Business Opportunity
- Professional Career Opportunities
- Business Insurance Information
- Instructor Guides
#1. Daily Range of rain falls for the past 3 months.
#2. Daily Range pH water and water temperature for the past 1 Week. (day and Night)
#3. Tested soil pH on the area, take about 10 samples 15 - 20 cm below the surface soil.
#4. The Map Location of your going to be Shrimp Farm.
#5. Design layout of your proposed shrimp farming. for i.e. Inlet, outlet, reservoir, & shrimp production area, etc.
#6. Cost of Electricity Bill per 1 Watts of Electricity.
#7. Cost of labor per 1 Person.
#8. Cost of Technical Support per 1 Person.
#9. The selling prices for prawn in your country.
#10. Tested water parameters for Heavy metals, such as Ferous, Alluminum, & Mangan, etc.
#11. What do you want to make out of your shrimp farm?
I will assess these answers and will try to help you trouble shoots. Thanks. email@example.com <--- my email.