Undersized shrimp are shrimp that are noticeably smaller than the average population in the same pond. They tend to grow slowly and often show signs of weakness or poor health. These shrimp may appear due to various causes, such as feed competition, poor-quality shrimp fry, disease infections (like EHP), or unstable water quality.
The presence of undersized shrimp in a pond can result in losses for shrimp farmers. What kind of losses are those? Discover the answer below.
Characteristics of Undersized Shrimp
If you find shrimp in your pond that show the following signs, they are likely undersized:
- Significantly smaller than the rest of the population in the pond.
- Slow growth despite being the same age.
- Thin and disproportionate body shape.
- Pale or less vibrant than healthy shrimp.
- Sluggish movement, often seen idle at the pond bottom.
- Low appetite or little to no response during feeding.
- Sometimes infected with diseases like EHP or other visible symptoms.
Losses Caused by Undersized Shrimp
Uneven Harvests
Undersized shrimp lead to uneven harvests. This affects pricing, as buyers typically prefer uniform sizes, such as size 100, 70, or 50. A mixed-size harvest can downgrade shrimp and result in lower grading.
Lower Selling Prices
Smaller shrimp from the undersized group are usually priced much lower, even be rejected by buyers if they fall too far below market standards. The accumulation of these small shrimp can significantly reduce the total value of your harvest.
