Ghost shrimp (Callianassidae)

Affected crops and industries: These crustaceans are considered pests in the aquaculture industry, specifically affecting shellfish farming operations like oysters and clams. Their burrowing habits compromise the physical integrity of the seabed, which is critical for bottom-culture techniques, leading to high mortality rates among young stocks.

Biology and life cycle: Callianassidae are renowned for their extensive tunnel systems, which can reach depths of two meters. They exhibit complex social behaviors and maintain their burrows by continuously removing sediment. Their life cycle includes planktonic larval stages that settle in favorable sediment, where they grow and reproduce, often reaching high population densities.

Nature of damage and pest status: The primary damage is caused by intense bioturbation. This activity mixes the sediment, releasing trapped hydrogen sulfide and other toxic chemicals into the water column. Furthermore, their relentless digging behavior physically destabilizes the ground, making it impossible to maintain a stable environment for cultivated shellfish.

Protection and control measures: Controlling ghost shrimp populations is challenging due to their subterranean habitat. Effective management strategies include:

• Installation of exclusion barriers such as mesh nets to prevent shrimp colonization in farming zones.
• Mechanical soil cultivation or deep raking before stocking to disrupt tunnel systems.
• Managing nutrient loading in aquaculture ponds to reduce organic matter accumulation that supports high shrimp densities.