Shrimp Stocking & From Post-Larvae to Harvest

Shrimp such as vannamei and tiger are stocked as post-larvae (PL) at a chosen density per square metre. Post-larvae needed = pond area × density. Expected harvest number = PL stocked × survival %, and harvest biomass = harvest number × harvest weight. So from area, density, survival and target weight you can plan the whole crop before you buy a single PL.

Post-larvae are the young shrimp stage bought from a hatchery and stocked into the grow-out pond — usually counted as PL10, PL12 and so on by their age in days. They are stocked at a density per square metre, and the count you need is simply the pond area multiplied by that density.

Density is post-larvae per square metre and depends on the system and your water management. Extensive ponds run low densities, semi-intensive ponds moderate ones, and intensive vannamei systems can run high densities — but higher density needs much stronger aeration and water management. Pick a density your aeration and water exchange can actually support.

More shrimp per square metre means more oxygen demand and more waste in the same water, so dissolved oxygen falls faster and ammonia builds up. Without enough aeration and water management at high density, oxygen crashes and disease spread, killing shrimp. That is why intensive stocking only works with aerators, monitoring and good pond management.

Not every post-larva reaches harvest, so survival % converts PL stocked into expected harvest number: harvest number = PL × survival %. A survival of 70–85% is common in well-run ponds, lower if disease or water problems hit. Using a realistic survival keeps your harvest-number and biomass estimates honest.

Harvest biomass = harvest number × average harvest weight. So if survival leaves you 700,000 shrimp and you grow them to 25 g each, that is 17,500 kg of shrimp. Choosing a higher harvest weight means fewer animals per kilo and a longer grow-out, which the biomass figure lets you plan against.

Yes — the area × density, survival and biomass maths is the same for vannamei (Litopenaeus vannamei), tiger (Penaeus monodon) and freshwater prawns. Just enter the density, survival and harvest weight that suit your species and system; the calculator handles the arithmetic.

Use the water-surface area of the grow-out pond in square metres (or convert from hectares, acres or other units). Stocking density is applied per square metre of water, so use the actual ponded area, not the total plot including bunds and channels, or you will over-order post-larvae.

No — they are planning estimates. Real survival and growth depend on PL quality, water management, feed, disease and weather, all of which vary. Use the calculator to set stocking and forecast harvest, then track actuals through the crop and adjust feeding and aeration as you go.

Yes. Everything is computed in your browser; nothing about your pond, stocking or harvest plans is uploaded or stored. Change any input and the post-larvae, harvest number and biomass update instantly.