Farmers need to know the differences between male and female shrimp before hatching. This aims to ensure that the spawned parent shrimp have different sexes with the correct amount ratio.

However, determining the difference between male and female shrimp is sometimes tricky because the two look very similar at first glance. However, some traits can be observed to find the difference.

What are these characteristics? Here we have summarized it for you in this article. So, make sure to read it all the way through.

Also Read: The Organ System and Morphology of Vannamei Shrimp that You Should Know

The Difference between Male and Female Shrimp

The difference between male and female shrimp can be identified from their genitals. In male shrimp, the genitals are in the form of petasma, located on the first swimming leg, which transfers sperm.

Meanwhile, the female shrimp’s genitals are known as thelycum, which is located between the fourth and fifth leg of the road and functions to store sperm.

The female reproductive system uses a pair of ovaries, oviducts, genital openings, and thelycum. While the male reproductive system uses the testes, vasa deferensia, petasma, and masculine appendix.

In addition, the difference between male and female shrimp can also be seen in their body size. The female shrimp parent usually has a larger size than the male parent.

Also Read: Get to Know the Vannamei Shrimp as a Farmers’ Favorite

Criteria for Ideal Shrimp Brood

The ideal female shrimp parent is a parent that has mature eggs. The maturity of the eggs is measured based on the development of the ovaries, which are located on the dorsal side of the shrimp’s body. The ovaries are green the more mature they are, the darker the color.

While the development of perfect petasma determines male shrimp. Usually, this petasma contains a spermatophore.

From the physical condition, the shrimp chosen as broodstock must have at least a minimum weight of 100 grams for females and 80 grams for males. Also, ensure the parents do not have defects or injuries, especially on the reproductive organs, to produce high-quality shrimp seeds.

To determine whether the eggs in the parent have matured, it is usually done in two ways: lifting the female and facing the lower body (ventral) towards the sun. In addition, you can also use a waterproof light beam to observe it.

Also Read: Getting to Know the DOC Term in Shrimp Farming

Choose DELOS as Your Shrimp Cultivation Partner!

That is the difference between male and female shrimp that farmers should know before spawning. This is because it is important to ensure that the parent shrimp spawned have the same number of different sexes.

DELOS can be the right cultivation companion for your shrimp pond for those who want to know more about vannamei shrimp farming management, including the primary spawning process.

DELOS is the best science, technology, and operational management-based aqua-tech company that can help you explore new opportunities in the aquaculture field.

DELOS pond management is also integrated with AquaHero, making it easy for farm owners and farm personnel to monitor real-time shrimp pond conditions through gadgets daily.

Immediately contact the DELOS Team to get cultivation assistance via contact@delosaqua.com or submit via the contact column on our website www.delosaqua.com. Choose DELOS as your shrimp farming partner!

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Source: Pratiwi, Rianta. 2018. Aspek Biologi dan Ablasi Mata Pada Udang Windu penaeus monodon Suku Penaeidae (Deapoda: Malcostraca). Oseana. 43(2): 34-47

Setiawan, Arief, dkk.,. 2004. Pemilihan dan Pemeliharaan Induk Udang. Departemen Pendidikan Nasional