When shrimp performance drops, farmers often immediately suspect disease. Shrimp that eat less, appear less active, or grow more slowly are not always sick. In many cases, this condition happens because the shrimp are working harder to adapt to environmental changes in the pond, especially shifts in water quality that are not always visible at first glance.
Why Shrimp May Appear Weakened
Shrimp live and function entirely in water. To maintain fluid balance between their bodies and the surrounding environment, they rely on a physiological process called osmoregulation, which takes place through their gills. When the composition of minerals and ions in the water changes, such as after heavy rainfall, salinity fluctuations, chemical treatments, handling activities such as sampling or partial harvesting that make shrimp more prone to stress, shrimp must use extra energy to maintain internal stability.
Interestingly, this can happen even when commonly measured water quality parameters like pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity, temperature, or Total Ammonia Nitrogen (TAN) appear normal. The energy that would normally support growth is redirected to maintaining internal balance. This is one of the key reasons shrimp performance can decline even when there is no disease present.
How Minerals and Ions Help Restore Balance
Farmers often add minerals when shrimp appear weak, hoping for a quick recovery. However, minerals are not a direct cure. Instead, minerals and ions help stabilize the shrimp’s internal condition so that their physiological functions can continue to operate properly.
