Mediterranean shrimp

The Mediterranean shrimp (Penaeus kerathurus) belongs to the order Decapoda and the family Penaeidae. It is a crustacean native to the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic.

The species is characterized by a striped carapace, a serrated rostrum, and a robust body structure. As a large marine decapod, it is primarily of interest to commercial fisheries.

It is crucial to classify this organism correctly; it is a marine inhabitant and not a terrestrial pest that attacks crops.

Morphological identification is based on the rostrum's teeth count and the specific coloration of the abdominal segments.

In aquaculture, their identification is straightforward due to their distinct biological features and typical crustacean swimming behavior.

The Mediterranean shrimp causes no direct damage to conventional agricultural crops as it cannot survive outside aquatic environments.

In aquaponics systems, however, they can occasionally damage plant roots while searching for food, leading to mechanical disruption of the root system.

They do not consume foliage or stems and do not possess the mouthparts necessary for traditional phytophagy.

The damage is purely accidental, resulting from their burrowing or foraging behavior in substrate-based aquatic plant modules.

No agricultural economic losses have been attributed to this species, as it is not a recognized plant pest.

Activity levels for Penaeus kerathurus are highly dependent on water temperature, with peak activity occurring during the warmer summer months.

During colder periods, these shrimp exhibit reduced metabolic rates and often bury themselves in the substrate to conserve energy.

In closed-system aquaculture, environmental parameters are artificially managed, negating natural seasonal fluctuations.

The spawning period typically coincides with the spring and summer seasons, facilitating larval development in the plankton layer.

Operators of aquatic systems should monitor population levels consistently, regardless of external seasons.

Primary signs of presence include direct observation of the shrimp within filtration units or root zones of hydroponic beds.

Mechanical trauma to plant roots, such as frayed tips or uprooted seedlings, indicates the presence of burrowing organisms.

Turbid water conditions resulting from constant substrate disturbance can also be a diagnostic sign of crustacean activity.

A lack of foliar damage or systemic plant diseases helps rule out other common biological pests.

Frequent discovery of molted carapaces (exuviae) is a definitive indicator of an established shrimp population.

No agricultural control measures are required as the species is not a pest to terrestrial farming.

In aquaponics, control is achieved through physical exclusion, using fine-mesh screens to prevent shrimp migration into plant growth areas.

Maintaining adequate nutrition for the shrimp within the fish-rearing zone will significantly reduce their interest in foraging among plant roots.

The use of chemical pesticides is strictly prohibited as it will destabilize the ecosystem and kill beneficial aquatic organisms.

• Installation of physical barriers
• Optimized feeding schedules
• Water filtration systems
• Zonal segregation of species