The implementation of a regular shrimp health monitoring schedule is a crucial part of biosecurity Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in shrimp farms. This step not only ensures that shrimp remain healthy but also serves as a preventive measure against various diseases that can threaten farm productivity, potentially leading to significant losses. By maintaining a consistent monitoring schedule, farmers can detect diseases early, allowing preventive actions to be taken before the disease spreads widely. This article will discuss the guidelines and recommendations for creating a shrimp health monitoring schedule in shrimp farms.
 

Shrimp Health Monitoring

The shrimp health monitoring process aims to ensure that shrimp remain healthy, leading to optimal harvests.

Shrimp health monitoring involves observing various factors that affect shrimp survival, such as water quality and signs of disease outbreaks. The data collected from this monitoring process serves as a basis for implementing preventive measures, such as administering minerals, probiotics, or even conducting partial harvesting. To ensure better shrimp health monitoring, farmers need to establish a routine shrimp health monitoring schedule.
 

Shrimp Health Monitoring Schedule

This schedule can be determined based on the specific health monitoring activities to be carried out.
 

Anco Check

This activity can be performed daily as it also helps monitor water quality and shrimp appetite. Shrimp health monitoring during the anco check focuses on shrimp body color, the presence of wounds or spots, the completeness of shrimp body parts, and differences in body size.

Farmers are expected to recognize various symptoms of deadly shrimp diseases such as Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND), White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP). When specific symptoms of these diseases appear, the shrimp are considered to be showing signs of infection.
 

PCR Check

When there are indications of disease, a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test is required to identify the type of pathogen infecting the shrimp and its abundance. PCR testing is a method for detecting disease samples with molecular-level accuracy, ensuring precise results. PCR tests can be conducted every two to four weeks. This interval may vary depending on the level of disease indications and its impact on the shrimp farm. Additionally, PCR testing frequency can be increased during critical phases of shrimp cultivation, such as during the early DOC 1–30 period.
 

Additional Data on Shrimp Health Monitoring Schedule

Below is data from CeKolam, a company specializing in disease detection for vannamei shrimp. This data presents the prevalence of several shrimp diseases in farms from January to November 2024.


Key Findings:

• EHP disease occurred most frequently in January and November.
• AHPND disease peaked in July and November.
• IMNV disease had the highest occurrence in March and September.
• WSSV cases remained relatively low compared to other diseases.