Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)
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Whiteleg Shrimp
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Whiteleg Shrimp
Litopenaeus vannamei
114 Litres (30 US G.)
20.3-23.1cm (8-9.1 ")
8.2 - 8.4
22.2-25.6°C (72 -78 °F)
8-12 °d
1:1 M:F
5-7 years
This animal is available captive bred
Contents
Additional names
Additional scientific names
- Penaeus vannamei
Alternative names
- King Prawn, Pacific White Shrimp
Origin
- Widespread From Sonora, Mexico to Peru. Widely farmed worldwide.
Sexing
- Females are larger than males.
Tank compatibility
- An avid predator. They will eat invertebrates, and fish.
Diet
- Eats a wide range of foodstuffs.
Feeding regime
- Daily.
Environment Specifics
- It will not tolerate copper or high levels of nitrates in the aquarium, but will require correct levels of iodine in the water to promote proper moulting.
Behaviour
- A predatory shrimp, may try to eat tankmates unless fish are too large to pick.
Identification
- A grey shrimp with a greyish-brown overall hue.
Notes
- This species is widely farmed for seafood, being the most farmed. This makes it easy to obtain them from seafood suppliers that sell live shrimp. As these are farmed for food, be diligent of potential diseases that can spread to other invertebrates in the aquarium.
