Hatchery and seed sourcing
Shrimp Post-Larvae Buying Guide: Choosing a Hatchery, Checking Quality, Transport and Acclimation
Updated: · FishMatch Group editorial team
Not reviewed by an independent expert. Check every assumption with qualified local advisers.
Cover image: original illustration generated for FishMatch Group (AI-generated, not a photo of a real farm).
Short answer
Buy shrimp post-larvae from a hatchery that can document broodstock origin, pathogen testing by an accredited laboratory and its biosecurity practice; agree the PL stage, size, quantity, testing and delivery terms in writing; inspect and test a sample before shipment; and acclimate the PL gradually to your pond's temperature and salinity. Seed quality cannot be corrected after stocking.
1. Key terms
- Post-larvae (PL): the stage after the larval phases; the number (for example PL10 or PL12) is the days since metamorphosis to PL and should be stated in the contract.
- SPF (specific pathogen free): animals from a population shown free of listed pathogens through a documented surveillance programme. It does not mean resistant to disease.
- SPR (specific pathogen resistant): lines selected for resistance to a specific pathogen; ask what was tested and under which conditions.
- Nursery: an intermediate phase where PL grow before transfer to grow-out.
2. Hatchery due diligence
- Ask for broodstock origin and genetic line documentation and import permits where applicable.
- Request recent PCR results from an accredited laboratory for pathogens relevant in your region (WOAH-listed diseases such as white spot disease, AHPND and IHHN; many buyers also screen for EHP).
- Ask about the hatchery's biosecurity: water treatment, separation of batches, visitor rules and records.
- Check whether your country requires import or movement permits and health certificates.
- Ask for references from farms that have stocked the same line in similar conditions.
3. Quality checks before purchase
Agree acceptance criteria and what happens if a batch fails before you pay.
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Activity | Active swimming, response to light or tapping, swimming against a current |
| Uniformity | Similar size and stage within the batch |
| Gut and hepatopancreas | Full gut, normal colouration under a microscope |
| Deformities and fouling | Few deformed, discoloured or fouled animals |
| Stress test | Survival after a salinity or other stress challenge agreed in advance |
| Laboratory results | PCR results for the agreed pathogens on the batch to be shipped |
4. Plan the supply chain
- Match the stocking calendar to hatchery production schedules and book batches in advance.
- Calculate how many PL you need from your stocking plan and expected survival, and keep an approved second source.
- Decide whether a nursery phase will be used; it changes the stage and quantity you order.
5. Transport
PL are usually shipped in oxygenated bags inside insulated boxes, often cooled to reduce activity. Agree packing density, water parameters, maximum transit time and who is responsible for losses in transit. Record temperature and salinity at packing and arrival.
6. Acclimation and acceptance at the farm
- Measure temperature, salinity and pH in the bags and in the receiving water.
- Equalise temperature and salinity gradually; large differences require a longer acclimation.
- Sample a group to count and check condition on arrival; record mortality.
- Stock in the coolest part of the day and monitor the first days closely.
Frequently asked questions
- What does SPF mean for shrimp post-larvae?
- Specific pathogen free: the population was shown free of listed pathogens through documented surveillance. It is not a guarantee against disease on the farm.
- Which PL stage should I buy?
- It depends on your nursery and grow-out plan; state the stage (for example PL10 or PL12) and size in the contract.
- How do I check post-larvae quality?
- Combine visual checks (activity, uniformity, gut), a microscope check, an agreed stress test and PCR results for the shipped batch.
- Can FishMatch recommend a hatchery?
- FishMatch can include seed supply in a reviewed project request; we do not present any hatchery as verified unless it has been checked.
Summary and next step
Choose the hatchery on evidence, write testing and acceptance into the contract, and control transport and acclimation — these steps protect the most important input of a shrimp cycle.
Add seed supply to your hatchery or project request, and plan the nursery phase.
Need help defining the project or requesting quotes?
FishMatch reviews shrimp project requests from USD 250,000 upward and helps you prepare a comparable RFQ. Requests are reviewed by our team; no supplier, price or offer is shown as verified until it has been checked. The calculators and guides stay free for smaller projects.