LibX;y 

Nat!x?ii Wetlands Research Center 

I!. S. Fish and Wildlife Servfce 

700 Cajundome i3oulevard 

Lafayette, La. 70506 

Biological Report 82(11.90) 

January 1989 

TR EL-82-4 

Species Profiles: Life Histories and 

Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes 

and Invertebrates (South Atlantic) 

BROWN SHRIMP 

QL 

155 

.S63 

no. 82- 

11.90 

Coastal Ecology Group 

y;c Fish and Wildlife Service Waterways Experiment Station 

U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
Biological Report 82(11.90) 

TR EL-82-4 

January 1989 

Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements 

of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (South Atlantic) 

BROWN SHRIMP 

Scott C. Larson, Michael J, Van Den Avyle, and 

Earl L. Bozeman, Jr. 

Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit 

School of Forest Resources 

University of Georgia 

Athens, GA 30602 

Project Officer 

David Moran 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

National Wetlands Research Center 

1010 Gause Boulevard 

Slidell, LA 70458 

Performed for 

Coastal Ecology Group 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

Waterways Experiment Station 

Vicksburg, MS 39180 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

Research and Development 

I\!ational Wetlands Research Center 

Washington, DC 20240 
This series can be referenced as follows: 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983-19 . Species Profiles: life histories 

and environmental requirements of coasG1 fishes and invertebrates. U.S. Fish 

Wildl. Serv. Biol. Rep. 82(11). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers TR EL-82-4. 

This profile can be cited as follows: 

Larson, S.C., M.J. Van Den Avyle, and E.L. Bozeman, Jr. 1989. Species profiles: 

life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Atlantic)--brown shrimp. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Biol. Rep. 

82(11.90). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers TR EL-82-4. 14 pp. 
PREFACE 

This species profile is one of a series on coastal aquatic organisms, 

principally fish, of sport, commercial, or ecological importance. The profiles 

are designed to provide coastal managers, engineers, and biologists with a brief 

comprehensive sketch of the biological characteristics and environmental 

requirements of the species and to describe how populations of the species may be 

expected to react to environmental changes caused by coastal development. Each 

profile has sections on taxonomy, life history! ecological role, environmental 

requirements, and economic importance, if applicable. A three-ring binder is 

used for this series so that new profiles can be added as they are prepared. 

This project is jointly planned and financed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Suggestions or questions regarding this report should be directed to one Of 

the following addresses. 

Information Transfer Specialist 

National Wetlands Research Center 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

NASA-Slide11 Computer Complex 

1010 Gause Boulevard 

Slidell, LA 70458 

or 

U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station 

Attention: WESER-C 

Post Office Box 631 

Vicksburg, MS 39180 

iii 
ADDEmJM--m SHEUMP 

Parasites and Diseases 

E3acteriaisolated fmm 

(SOWI'H XCL?NTIC). BIOL. REF'. 82(11.90). 

blood of brown shrimp were predominantly Vibrio, _ ._ ._. * Aermonas,andFseudomonas. Pxitrichous ciliate and suctormn protozoans my 

be attached to the gills. Gregarine sporozoanprotozoansmayoccur inthe 

digestive tract. Bmwnshrimpmaybeinfectedwithlarvalnematodesand 

larval cestodes (Fontaine 1985). Diseases and parasites probably do not cause 

significant direct mortality but may reduce vigor and increase predation rates 

(Mine110 and z imnmman 1989). 

VW 

Temperature and salinity 

Postlarvae (8-13 mm) have been collect& at 13-31 "C. After acclimation at 

24 'C, temperatures of 36.6-36.8 "C were lethal. Juveniles have ken 

collected at 2-38 "C; they were stressed at greater than 32 "C and less than 

10 "C. Grmth was slower below 18 "C. Juvenilesmayleave estuaries early if 

largefreshwaterinflowsoccur (Zein-Eldin and F&mud 1986). Adverse 

temperature orsalinitylevelsmaynot causedirectrmrtalitybutmy reduce 

vigor and hcrease vulnerability to predation (Minello and Zhnermn 1989). 

Dissolved Oxmen 

Brown shrimp can detect and avoid oxygen-depleted water (Mine110 and Zimmerman 

1989). Juveniles 65-86 mm long avoid 1.5-2 ~FNI dissolved oxygen (D.O.). Mean 

lethal D.O. for juveniles of this size was 0.8 pp after 1.4 ppm/h reduction, 

and it was 0.5 ppm after 2.6 ppq/h reduction. Adults are unstressed at 

greater than 4.0 ppm D.O. (Zein-Eldin and Renaud 1986). 

SystemFeatures 

Extend& periods of law water will concentrate shrimp and their predators over 

unvegetatedbottom (without cover) and inmease predation rates (Mine110 and 

Zimnenmn 1989). 

More information is needed on brown shrimp habitat functions and values (Klima 

1989). 

Fontaine, C.T. 1985. Asurveyofpotential disease -causing organisms inbait 

shrimp fromWest GalvestonBay, Texas. NOAA-. Memo. NMFS-SEFC-169. 25 

Gleason, D.F. 1986. Utilization of salt marsh plants by 

shrimp: carbon assimilation rates and food preferences. 

Ser. 31:151-158. 

postlawal brown 

Mar. Ecol. prog. 

_* 

_ -__ 

2 
AImENmM-- SHRIMe (ScurH ATLANTIC). BIOL. REP. 82(11.90). 

MoRPHoLoGYAND1DENTIFIcATImAIES 

Fostlarvalpinkshriq3(Fenaeusduorarum )andbmwnshrixqxanbe 

distinguished frcun postlamal white shrimp (_P. setiferus) by spines along the 

dorsalcarina (kel-likridge) ofthesixthabdominal segmentwhichare 

absentin~~shrimppostlanme(RingoandZamora1968). 

LIFEHISTORY 

Recentevidem=eshcrwsthatbraJnshrimpdonotdieasaresultofspawning 

(AusbonBmwn, NationalMarine Fisheries Service, Miami, FL; pers. cormn.). 

ECOLGGICALRoLE 

Feeding 

Stamationmaybeunlikely inestuarinen urseriesbecause food supplies seem 

adequate. However, reduced food availability may reduce vigor and increase 

predation rates. Rapid gmwth permitted by an optimal diet may allow shrimp 

togrowtoolaqe formanypredatorstoeat. Inthelaboratory, postlarval 

brom shrimp (about lo-12 mm total length) had positive grmth when fed 

Soartinaepiphytesora species ofplanktonicdiatm. However, grmthwas 

slm, and in the field animal foods may be necessary for normal growth. Algae 

mayprovidemaintemnce foodwhen animal food is not available. Detritus 

derived from Smrtina alterniflora did not cause positive growth in postlarvae 

(Gleason and Zimmermn 1984; Gleason 1986). Juvenile brmn shrimp grow faster 

onvegetatedthanonnonvegetatedbottom. Smallbenthic animals aremre 

abundantinthevegetatedhabitat, andthe shrimp can feed efficiently onthem 

(Mine110 and z ixmeman 1989). 

predators 

Juvenilebrownshrimpmayescape fishpredationbyb urrcwing into the 

sediment. Ineitherclearorturbidwater, the presence of sand inwhichto 

-decreased predation by southern flounder but not by Atlantic croaker. 

The latter fish appears well-adapted to feeding upon b urrowedorganisms. The 

effects of clear versus turbid water on predation rates is more complex. 

Whethersamdforburrowingwasp resent or not, turbid water (compared to clear 

water) increased predation by southern flour&r but decreased predation by 

Atlantic croaker. In clear water, sand reduced predation by pinfish. In 

turbidwater, hmever, thepresence of sand did not reduce predation by 

pinfish; shrimp burrmed less when the water was not clear (Mine110 et al. 

1987). Predation by fishes may be the major cause of natural mortality to 

brown shrimp in estuaries (Mine110 and Zimermn 1989). 

postlarvaeandjwenilesprefervegetatedoverurnregetatedbottam for 

protection frompreiiatozsand forfoodmsoumes (Zein-Eldin and Renaud 1986). 

Library 

~i~.~~~tl~~l WMinds Rcaeatch Cent@ 

1 I,!. s. nsh and Wlldilfe Servlce 

720 ~tijm?~m boulevard 

Lafayette, La. 70506 
ADDENmJM-BROWN SHRIMP 

FarasitesandDiseases 

Bacteria isolated fxan 

(SOUTH ATLANITC). BIOL. REF'. 82 (11.90). 

blood of brown shrimp were pr&minantly Vibrio, _ ._ ._. . 

Aermonas, and Pseudomonas. Feritrichous ciliate and suctorlan protozoans my 

be attached to the gills. Gregarine sporozoanpmtozoansmayoccur inthe 

digestive tract. Brownshrimpmaybeinfectedwithlarvalnematodesand 

larval cestodes (Fontaine 1985). Diseases and parasites probably do not cause 

significant direct mortality but may reduce vigor and increase predation rates 

(Mine110 and z immermm 1989). 

-7 

T~tureandSalinity 

Postlarvae (8-13 mm) have been collected at 13-31 "C. After acclimation at 

24 'C, temperatures of 36.6-36.8 "C were lethal. Juveniles have ken 

collected at 2-38 "C; they were stressed at greater than 32 "C and less than 

10 "C. Grmth was slmer below 18 "C. Juvenilesmayleave estuaries early if 

largefreshwaterinflowsoccur (Zein-Eldin and Renaud 1986). Adverse 

teqerature or salinity levelsmaynotcausedirectmortality but my reduce 

vigor and hcrease vulnerability to predation (Mine110 and Zimnerman 1989). 

Dissolved Oxmen 

Brown shrimp can detect and avoid oxygen-depleted water (Mine110 and Zimmerman 

1989). Juveniles 65-86 mm long avoid 1.5-2 m dissolved oxygen (D.O.). Mean 

lethal D.O. for juveniles of this size was 0.8 pp after 1.4 ppm/h reduction, 

and it was 0.5 pp after 2.6 pExn/h reduction. Adults are unstressed at 

greater than 4.0 p&m D.O. (Zein-Eldin and Fknaud 1986). 

SystemFeatures 

Extended periods of law water will concentrate shrimp and their predators over 

unvegetatedbottom (withoutcmer) and im;rease predation rates (Mine110 and 

Zhnerman 1989). 

More information is need& on brum shrimp habitat functions and values (Lima 

1989). 

Fontaine, C.T. 1985. Asuweyofpotential disease -causingoqanisms inbait 

shrimp fromWest GalvestonBay, Texas. NOAATech.Memo. NMFS-SEFC-169. 25 

pP* 

Gleason, D.F. 1986. Utilization of salt marsh plants by 

shrimp: car3xm assimilation rates and focd preferences. 

Ser. 31:151-158. 

postlarval brown 

Mar. Ecol. Prog. 

_* 

- 

- - 

2 
. 

Librarv 

Nabs Wetlands Research Center 

U. S. Ffsh and Wfldlifs &MCC 

700 Cajundome BouIevard 

tafayette, La.70508 

. 

ADDENmM-BEttxdN SBRIMP (sourH ATLANTIC). BIOL. REP. 82(11.90). 

Gleason, D.F., and R.J. Zimnermm. 1984. Be&ivory potential of postlarval 

brownshrimpassociatedwitbsaltmarshes. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 84:235- 

246. 

Klima, E.F. 1989. Approaches to m 

for penaeid shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico. 

and management of U.S. fisheries 

Marine invertebrate fisheries: their 

Pages 87-113 b J.F. Caddy, ed. 

and Sons, New York. 

assessment and management. John Wiley 

Minello, T.J., and R.J. Zimmeman. 1989. The roleof estuarinehabitats in 

regulating growth and survival of juvenile penaeid shrimp. 

obrimpmeearcb. Elmier. Inpress. 

In Frontiers of 

Minello, T.J., R.J. Zimerman, and E.X. Martinez. 1987. Fish predation on 

juvenile brown shriq, Ienaeus aztecus Ives: effects of turbidity and 

substratum on predation rates. U.S. Natl. Mar. Fish. Serv. Fish. Bull. 

85:59-70. 

Ringo, R.D., and G. Zamora. 1968. 

taxammic value. 

A penaeid postlarval character of 

Bull. Mar. Sci. 18:471-476. 

Zein-Eldin, Z.P., and M.L. Renaud. 1986. Insboreenvironmentaleffects on 

brown shrimp, Penaeus a&ecus, andtite shrimp,_P. setiferus, populations 

in coastal waters, particularly of Texas. Mar. Fish. Rev. 48:9-19. 

3 
CONVERSION TABLE 

Multiply 

millimeters (mm) 

centimeters (cm) 

meters (m) 

meters (m) 

kilometers (km) 

kilometers (km) 

!!Y 

0.03937 

0.3937 

3.281 

0.5468 

0.6214 

0.5396 

To Obtain 

inches 

inches 

feet 

fathoms 

statute miles 

nautical miles 

square meters (m*) 10.76 square feet 

square kilometers (km*) 0.3861 square miles 

hectares (ha) 2.471 acres 

liters (1) 0.2642 gallons 

cubic meters (m3) 35.31 cubic feet 

cubic meters (m3) 0.0008110 acre-feet 

milligrams (mg) 0.00003527 ounces 

grams (9) 0.03527 ounces 

kilograms (kg) 2.205 pounds 

metric tons (t.) 2205.0 pounds 

metric tons (t) 1.102 short tons 

kilocalories (kcal) 3.968 British thermal units 

Celsius degrees ("C) 1.8('(I) + 32 Fahrenheit degrees 

inches 25.40 millimeters 

inches 2.54 centimeters 

feet (ft) 0.3048 meters 

fathoms 1.829 meters 

statute miles (mi) 1.609 kilometers 

nautical miles (nmi) 1.852 kilometers 

square feet (ft*) 0.0929 square meters 

square miles (mi*) 2.590 square kilometers 

acres 0.4047 hectares 

gallons (gal) 3.785 liters 

cubic feet (ft3) 0.02831 cubic meters 

acre-feet 1233.0 cubic meters 

ounces (oz) 28350.0 milligrams 

ounces (oz) 28.35 grams 

pounds (lb) 0.4536 kilograms 

pounds (lb) 0.00045 metric tons 

short tons (ton) 0.9072 metric tons 

Metric to U.S. Customary 

U.S. Customary to Metric 

British thermal units (Btu) 

Fahrenheit degrees (OF) 

0.2520 

0.5556 (OF 

iv 

32) 

kilocalories 

Celsius degrees 
CONTENTS 

Page 

PREFACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii 

CONVERSION TABLEiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii;;~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ iv 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi 

NOMENCLATURE/TAXONOMY/RANGE .............................................. 1 

MORPHOLOGY AND IDENTIFICATION AIDS ....................................... 

REASON FOR INCLUSION IN SERIES ........................................... i 

LIFE HISTORY ............................................................. 3 

Spawning and Larvae .................................................... 

Postlarvae ............................................................. ; 

Juveniles and Adults...............~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~=~~ . 4 

GROWTH ................................................................... 4 

THE FISHERY .............................................................. 5 

ECOLOGICAL ROLE .......................................................... 6 

ENVIKONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................... 7 

Temperature and Salinity ............................................... 

Substrate and System Features .......................................... : 

flthor Fnuirnnmnntal Dnn,,irnmantc "LllCl Lll" .. ",I,,IC,ILU . I\ryuII ClllC.1CJ ....................................... 8 

LITERATURE CITED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II 

V 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

We thank Dennis Spitzbergen, North Carolina Division of Marine Fisherses, 

Morehead City, and David Whitaker, South Carolina Marine Resources Center, 

Charleston, for reviewing this manuscript. Sue Anthony and Tam Fields typed 

and formatted this species profile. 

vi 
Figure 1. Brown shrimp. 

BROWN SHRIMP 

NOMENCLATURE/TAXONOMY/RANGE 

Scientific name . . . . . . ..Penaeus aztecus 

Ives 

Preferred common name.....Brown shrimp 

(Figure 1) 

Other common names . . . . ..Brownie. green 

lake shrimp, redtail shrimp, red 

shrimp, golden shrimp, native 

shrimp, summer shrimp 

Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Crustacea 

Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Decapoda 

Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Penaeidae 

Geographic range: Brown shrimp occur 

from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, to the Florida Keys and then 

westward and southward in the Gulf 

of Mexico from Apalachicola Bay, 

Florida, to the northwest coast of 

the Yucatan Peninsula. In the South 

Atlantic Region, brown shrimp are 

most abundant along the North 

1 

Carolina coast and are moderately 

abundant from South Carolina to 

Florida (Figure 2). 

MORPHOLOGY AND IDENTIFICATION AIDS 

Detailed descriptions of brown 

shrimp have been published by PerezFarfante (1969) and Williams (1984). 

Brown shrimp may be distinguished from 

white shrimp (P. setiferus) and pink 

shrimp (P. duorarum duorarum) by the 

followin<features. 

Brown shrimp: Adrostral grooves 

and crests long, extending almost to 

hind margin of carapace; postrostral 

crest well developed as far back as 

adrostral grooves; gastrofrontal 

crests present; dorso-lateral sulcus 

on sixth abdominal segment well 
NORTH CAROLINA 

SOUTH CAROLINA ‘\ JleM 

ATLANTIC OCEAN 

................ 

iiiii~iiii;iiii; Coastal range 

................ 

................ 

................ 

MILES 

ow 

0 

KILOMETERS 

Figure 2. Range of brown shrimp in the South Atlantic Region. Major center of 

abundance is along the North Carolina coast. 

2 
defined and broad; ratio of height of 

dorsal keel to width of dorso-lateral 

sulcus usually less than 2.25; dark 

lateral spot at junction of third and 

fourth abdominal segments usually 

absent. 

White shrimp: Adrostral grooves 

and crests short, not exceeding 

anterior half of the carapace; postrostra1 crest scarcely defined 

posteriorly; gastrofrontal crests 

absent. 

Pink shrimp: Dorso-lateral sulcus on sixth abdominal segment well 

defined and narrow; ratio of height of 

dorsal keel to width of dorso-lateral 

sulcus usually 4.5 or greater, with 

sharp lips nearly closed; usually a 

dark spot at junction of third and 

fourth abdominal segments. 

REASON FOR INCLUSION IN SERIES 

Brown shrimp account for about 

one third of the commercial shrimp 

harvest in the South Atlantic Region. 

In 1982, the landings were worth $20 

million. The species is an important 

component of estuarine ecosystems, 

serving as prey for many fish and 

larger crustaceans. Detritivores such 

as postlarval and juvenile brown 

shrimp are essential for converting 

primary production in estuaries to 

forms available to higher consumers in 

the ecosystems. 

LIFE HISTORY 

Spawning and Larvae 

Surface ocean currents transport 

postlarvae to coastal areas during 

late winter and spring (Whitaker 

1981a). Bearden (1961) collected 

large postlarvae off South Carolina 

during late winter and early spring, 

suggesting that postlarvae overwinter 

offshore waters in 

Atlantic Region. 

the South 

Postlarvae begin to 

Brown shrimp spawn offshore at move from coastal areas into estuaries 

depths usually exceeding 18 m (Pearson when water temperatures rise above 11 

1939; Gunter 1956; St. Amant et al. “C (St. Amant et al. 1965; Christmas 

1965; Christmas et al. 1966; Baxter et al. 1966; Williams and Deubler 

and Renfro 1967; Temple and Fischer 1968). They immigrate to nursery 

1967; Perez-Farfante 1969; Anderson areas in March through June in North 

1970; Shipman et al. 1983). Spawning Carolina, March and April in South 

occurs in the South Atlantic Region Carolina, and March to June in Georgia 

from North Carolina to northeast 

Florida (Perez-Farfante 1969; Anderson 

1970) during most of the year. 

Shipman et al. (1983) suggested that 

the major spawning period may extend 

into early fall in the southern 

portion of the South Atlantic Region. 

Subrahmanyam (1971) reported that 

brown shrimp spawn in the Gulf of 

Mexico in spring and summer when 

bottom water temperatures are between 

17 and 29 "C, and cease spawning when 

water temperatures begin to decline in 

fall. Adults apparently die after 

spawning once (St. Amant et al. 1966). 

Eggs are demersal, nonadhesive, 

spherical, and 0.26-0.28 mm in diameter (Pearson 1939; Temple and 

Fischer 1967; Perez-Farfante 1969). 

Hatching usually occurs within 24 

hours, but is inhibited at salinities 

below 27 parts per thousand (ppt) or 

above 35 ppt (Cook and Murphy 1969). 

Planktonic larvae develop offshore 

through five naupliar, three protozoeal, and three mysis stages before 

metamorphosis to postlarvae (Pearson 

1939; Baxter and Renfro 1967; Kutkuhn 

1966; Temple and Fischer 1967). 

Larval development takes about 11 days 

at 32 “C or 17 days at 24 “C, and 

development stops at temperatures 

below 24 "C (Cook and Murphy 1969). 

Postlarvae 

3 
and Florida. Some may immigrate 

during fall in Georqia and northeast 

Florida (Williams 1964, 1965; Shipman 

et al. 1983). Postlarvae are transported into estuaries by incoming 

tides. Williams (1964) reported that 

more postlarvae entered North Carolina 

sounds at night than during the day, 

and during a new moon than during a 

full moon. Postlarvae inhabit shallow, low-salinity areas in marsh-grass 

communities (Gunter 1956; St. Amant et 

al. 1965; Williams 1965; Kutkuhn 

1966). Growth and metamorphosis to 

the juvenile stage is rapid due to the 

abundance of food available in this 

habitat (St. Amant et al. 1965). 

Juveniles and Adults 

Juvenile brown shrimp occupy 

estuarine nursery grounds in the South 

Atlantic Region from March through 

July, moving to larger bays as they 

grow. They eventually emigrate to 

deeper, more saline waters to mature 

[kI;;:;ams 1965). St. Amant et al. 

indicated that increased 

temperature or crowding may initiate 

the offshore movement. Reductions in 

salinity cause migration in North 

Carolina. Jackson (1974) observed 

juvenile brown shrimp emigrating from 

Cedar Bayou, Texas, when they were 

100-120 mm in total length (TL). 

Female brown shrimp reach sexual 

maturity at about 140 mm TL (Renfro 

1964; Cook and Lindner 1970). Burkenroad (1939) reported that female brown 

shrimp attain gonadal ripeness at 

about 145 mm TL. Anderson (1970) 

collected gravid females of 143-153 mm 

TL from South Carolina to northeast 

Florida during fall. 

Seasonal movements of adult brown 

shrimp are apparently related to 

water temperature patterns (Zein-Eldin 

and Aldrich 1965). Distribution 

patterns during the winter are poorly 

understood (McCoy 1972; Shipman 1980; 

Shipman et al. 1983). White shrimp 

from the Carolinas and Georgia 

overwinter off the northeast coast of 

Florida, and Anderson (1970) suggested 

that brown shrimp might do likewise. 

There is no conclusive evidence, however, that the Florida coast is an 

overwintering area for adult brown 

shrimp. 

GROWTH 

Growth rates of brown shrimp may 

vary considerably due to differences 

in water temperature, salinity, and 

food availability. Nearly all 

published brown shrimp growth data 

relate to postlarvae and juveniles 

because of their availability for 

study and because such data are useful 

for predicting commercial harvests. 

Daily growth rates of postlarvae 

and juveniles determined from field 

studies ranged from 0.52 to 1.67 mm, 

and averaged 1.0-l-5 mm during the 

major growth period in late spring and 

early summer (Williams 1955; St. Amant 

et al. 1966; McCoy 1968; Knudsen et 

al. 1977). Average daily growth 

(total length) of juveniles reared in 

ponds receiving heated water from an 

electric power plant was 1.1-1.5 mm in 

spring, and 1.0-1.4 mm in summer 

(Gould 1973). Zein-Eldin and Griffeth 

(1966) indicated that postlarval 

growth rates increased when temperatures exceded 15 “C. St. Amant et al. 

(1965) observed that growth from the 

postlarval to the juvenile stage took 

less than 4 weeks in estuarine waters 

of temperatures above 20 "C; when 

postlarvae moved into water at temperatures lower than 20 "C, however, 

growth was delayed, mortality was 

high, and the subsequent commercial 

harvest was low. St. Amant et al. 

(1965) reported daily juvenile growth 

rates of 0.1, 1.0, and 1.5 mm at 

temperatures of 16, 20, and 25 "C, 

respectively. Venkataramaiah et al. 

(1972) found that growth and food 

conversion were highest at 26 "C. 

- 

4 
Sexual differentiation in brown 

shrimp typically begins at about 50 mm 

TL (Fontaine and Neal 1971). Growth 

slows markedly as shrimp reach 100 mm 

TL (Gould 1973), beyond which males 

usually grow slower than females 

(Williams 1955). In the Gulf of 

Mexico, male brown shrimp reach about 

60% of the weight and 83% of the 

length of females (Parrack 1979). 

McCoy (1968, 1972) provided brown 

shrimp growth estimates for the New 

River Inlet and Pamlico Sound, North 

Carolina (Table 1). The New River 

Inlet estimates predicted more rapid 

growth and larger maximum size for 

females. The Pamlico Sound growth 

estimate was for combined sexes, with 

a theoretical maximum of 178 mm TL. 

Relationships between wet weight and 

total length, weight and carapace 

length, and total length and carapace 

length, developed by McCoy (1972) and 

Fontaine and Neal (1971), are shown in 

Table 2. 

THE FISHERY 

McKenzie (1981) and Shipman et 

al. (1983) provided descriptions of 

fishing methods, catch statistics, 

management objectives, and social, 

Table 2. Relationships between wet 

weight (g), total length (nun), and 

carapace length (mm) for brown 

shrimp. 

Weight (W) versus total length (TL)a 

Males W = 11 . 61 x 10-6TL2*g1 

Females W = 9 . 53 x 10-6TL2*g4 

Combined W = 10.52 x 10'6TL2*g4 

Weight versus carapace length (CL)b 

Males W = 8.2 x 10-4CL2’g4 

Females w = 11 . 3 x 10-4cL2*84 

Total length versus carapace lengthb 

Males TL = 3.50 + 4.16 CL 

Females TL = 10.50 + 3.83 CL 

aData from Texas (Fontaine and Neal 

b1971). 

Data from North Carolina (McCoy 

1972). 

Table 1. Equations for predicting total length (TL) in millimeters from age (t-- 

in weeks) for brown shrimp in North Carolina. 

Equationa Location Source 

Males TLt = 128(1-e -0.317[t+5.98]) New River inlet McCoy (1972) 

Females TLt 

= ,,,(,_,-0.171~t+7.201~ New River inlet McCoy (1972) 

Sexes combined TLt = 178(1-e-0*073t) Pamlico Sound McCoy (1968) 

aThe number to the immediate right of the equal sign is an estimate of the maximum total length attained. 

5 
economic, and political aspects of the 

South Atlantic Region shrimp fishery. 

Most information in this section is 

taken from their reports. 

The penaeid shrimp fishery is the 

most valuable commercial fishery in 

North America. United States penaeid 

shrimp landings in 1982 had an 

exvessel value of more than $590 

million. About 10% of the landings 

were from the South Atlantic Region 

(National Marine Fisheries Service 

[NMFS] 1983). Annual penaeid shrimp 

landings from 1970 to 1979 in the 

South Atlantic Re ion averaged about 

15.5 million lb a 7,030 metric tons) 

(heads-off); brown shrimp composed 

about 35% (McKenzieafad81). The values 

of recreational bait shrimp 

fisheries throughout the region are 

unknown. 

In the South Atlantic Region, 

commercially important brown shrimp 

fishing grounds extend from Fort 

Pierce, Florida, to Pamlico Sound and 

Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina. Most 

of the commercial harvest is taken 

inside the lo-fathom contour. This 

shallow area is widest along north and 

central Georgia, and narrowest along 

Florida and North Carolina. Trawling 

deeper than 10 fathoms may be limited 

in some areas by rough bottoms and 

sparsity of shrimp. 

The brown shrimp harvest peaks in 

July and August and continues into 

late fall in North Carolina, extends 

from mid-June to early fall in most of 

South Carolina, is primarily in July 

and August in Georgia, and extends 

from the opening of the night trawling 

season (June 1) through late August in 

Florida. 

The shrimp fishery in the South 

Atlantic Region is regulated by local 

and Federal laws that are based on 

biological, economical, and sociopolitical concerns. The South 

Atlantic Fishery Management Council 

has assumed responsibility for a 

6 

shrimp management plan for the Federal 

Conservation Zone, but the plan is 

still in the preliminary stage. Most 

shrimp fishery management actions are 

intended to protect undersized 

(precommercial) shrimp or overwintering stocks in order to maximize economic yield. These actions include 

establishing closed seasons, prohibiting commercial fishing in certain 

estuaries, and limiting the size of 

shrimp that can be harvested. 

Management efforts have been hampered 

by the lack of accurate data on 

natural mortality, fishing mortality, 

and other population parameters of 

shrimp stocks. Management approaches, 

economic concerns, and further data 

needs for effective management 

were discussed in McKenzie (1981), 

Purvis et al. (1976), and Shipman et 

al. (1983). 

ECOLOGICAL ROLE 

Brown shrimp are omnivorous and 

eat food items ranging from detritus 

to small invertebrates and fish during 

their life cycle (Hunt et al. 1980). 

Williams (1955), who examined the stomach contents of juvenile and adult 

brown shrimp from North Carolina, 

found that the most abundant material 

was an unrecognizable mixture of 

partly digested organic matter and 

bottom debris. He also found chitin 

fragments, setae and jaws from annelid 

worms, foraminiferans, minute 

gastropod and lamellibranch shells, 

squid suckers, small fishes, muscle 

fibers, !3ut fragments, mandibles, 

ribs, eye lenses, unidentifiable eggs, 

and plant fragments and seed-pods. 

Jones (1973) found a shift in the diet 

and habitat of juvenile brown shrimp 

in Louisiana as they increased in 

size. The smallest shrimp examined 

(24-44 mm TL) fed nonselectively on 

the top sediment layer; shrimp 45-64 

mm TL selected the organic fraction of 

the top sediment layer, and shrimp 

65-104 mm TL were active predators 

that ate polychaetes, amphipods, 

nematodes, and chironomid larvae. 

d 
A host of predators, including 

carnivorous fishes and crustaceans, 

feed on brown shrimp, but the role of 

predation * regulating shrimp 

populations i's" unknown (Gunter 1945; 

Darnell 1958; Hunt et al. 1980). 

Competition between brown shrimp and 

the two other commercially important 

penaeid species (pink and white 

shrimp) is probably minor due to differences in substrate and salinity 

preferences and temporal differences 

in the use of estuaries (Williams 

1958; Gunter 1961). Other species, 

k;:everio!ay compete with brown shrimp 

. Gould (1973) reported 

competition for food between brown 

shrimp and small fish in a culture 

pond. 

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS 

Temperature and Salinity 

Adverse temperatures or salinities reduce brown shrimp survival 

(Copeland and Bechtel 1974). Under 

laboratory conditions, larvae did not 

complete development at temperatures 

below 24 "C (Cook and Murphy 1969). 

The survival rate of brown shrimp 

nauplii was higher at 24 "C than at 

20, 28, or 32 "C, and both protozoeal 

and mysis survival rates increased 

with temperature from 24 to 32 "C. 

Survival rates of postlarvae increased 

with temperature from 15 to 20 'C, 

remained above 90% from 20 to 25 "C, 

and decreased at temperatures greater 

than 25 "C (Zein-Eldin and Griffeth 

1966). At salinities below 27 ppt or 

above 35 ppt, hatching was inhibited 

and survival of larvae decreased (Cook 

and Murphy 1969). 

Brown shrimp burrow in response 

to low temperatures. Shrimp in 

aquaria burrowed at temperatures of 

12-17 "C and emerged at temperatures 

of 18-21.5 'C (Venkatamariah et al. 

1972). Aldrich et al. (1968) reported 

that adults offshore burrowed during 

winter, and juveniles in estuaries 

burrowed during cold-weather periods 

in the spring. Burrowing may serve to 

moderate temperature extremes and act 

as a predator avoidance mechanism. 

Venkatamariah et al. (1972) 

observed convulsions and disoriented 

movements of brown shrimp at salinities less than 2 ppt. Brown shrimp 

have been collected, however, at 

salinities as low as 0.2 ppt in 

Alabama estuaries (Swingle 1971). 

Zein-Eldin (1963) found that survival 

rates of postlarvae were high at 

salinites of Z-40 PPt under 

conditions of restricted diet, and 

Williams (1960) reported that brown 

shrimp could maintain their ionic 

balance at salinities up to 69 ppt, 

indicating that they can survive 

salinities higher than those tested by 

Zein-Eldin (1963). 

Although brown shrimp can 

tolerate wide ranges of salinity and 

temperature, interactive effects occur 

when one or both of these factors are 

unfavorable. Venkatamariah et al. 

(1972) reported that brown shrimp 

survived temperature changes best at 

salinities of 8.5-17 ppt, and tolerated the widest range of salinity at 

26 "C. The salinity tolerance of 

brown shrimp was reduced at temperatures below 20 "C (Copeland and 

Bechtel 1974), and tolerance to 

salinities below 10 ppt was markedly 

reduced at temperatures below 15 "C 

(Zein-Eldin and Aldrich 1965). 

Landings records support these 

laboratory findings. Hunt et al. 

(1980) found that commercial brown 

shrimp harvests were low after periods 

of low temperature and salinity in 

Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, and 

high after periods of high salinity 

and temperature. St. Amant et al. 

(1965) reported that commercial brown 

shrimp production in Louisiana was low 

when postlarvae recruited early to 

areas of low salinity (less than 8 

ppt) and temperature (less than 20 

"C), but was higher when shrimp 

recruited at later dates to areas with 

7 
temperatures greater than 20 "C and 

salinities greater than 15 ppt. 

Substrate and System Features 

Adult and juvenile brown shrimp 

have been collected over muddy or 

peaty substrates by researchers and 

fishermen (Perez-Farfante 1969; Hunt 

et al. 1980). Williams (1958), who 

tested the preference of brown shrimp 

for different substrate types (including sand, shell-sand mixtures, silt, 

loose peat, muddy sand, and sandy mud) 

found that they prefer loose peat and 

sandy mud, although they frequent 

other substrates such as sand, silt, 

or clay mixed with rock fragments. 

Availability of cover is an 

essential requirement for brown shrimp 

nursery areas (Williams 1955; Kutkuhn 

1966). Turner (1977) reported that 

the abundance and type of commercially 

important penaeids is directly related 

to the amount of intertidal vegetation 

available for nursery habitats. The 

size of shrimp reaching commercial 

fishing grounds may be density 

dependent, and in years of high 

recruitment, there may not be enough 

nursery habitat for maximum production 

(McKenzie 1981). 

Bulkheading, ditching, disposal 

of dredged material, and drainage from 

agricultural or silvicultural areas 

may reduce the suitability of some 

estuaries as nursery areas (Kutkuhn 

1966; Jones and Sholar 1981; McKenzie 

1981). Bulkheading reduces the 

marsh-water interface that is critical 

habitat to postlarval and juvenile 

stages of brown shrimp. Excessive 

surface drainage into estuaries can 

affect salinity patterns, and 

contribute substantial amounts of 

pesticides and sediment to the ecosystem. Ditches and canals can also 

affect salinity patterns in estuaries 

and prevent the influx of shrimp 

(Jones and Sholar 1981). The disposal 

of dredged material covers nutritive 

substrates used by shrimp and may 

result in gill erosion and egg suffocation (Whitaker 198lb). Existing 

estuarine areas must be preserved to 

ensure the continued commercial 

production of brown shrimp. 

Other Environmental Requirements 

Other factors regulating the 

occurrence and development of brown 

shrimp are water circulation and turbidity. Currents generated by wind 

and tide govern the distribution of 

chemical components, temperature, 

suspended matter, and planktonic 

organisms in the water column. 

Although turbidity has not been 

conclusively linked with shrimp distribution, aerial photographs have 

shown a positive relation between 

turbid areas and concentrations of 

shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico (Lindner 

and Bailey 1969). Turbidity may 

reflect the nutritive potential of the 

water, and serve to protect shrimp 

from predation (Kutkuhn 1966). 

Few field studies have been 

conducted that relate the occurrence 

of brown shrimp to dissolved oxygen 

concentration. Trent et al. (1976) 

noted a decrease in brown shrimp 

abundance at altered marsh sites in 

Texas, where dissolved oxygen 

concentrations were below 3.0 mg/l. 

Bishop et al. (1980) reported that 

oxygen consumption rates of brown 

shrimp increased significantly with 

temperatures from 18 to 33 "C, but 

that differences in oxygen consumption 

rates at test salinities of 10 ppt, 20 

ppt, and 30 ppt were negligible. At 

20 ppt 3.7 - g brown shrimp used 

significantly more oxygen per gram 

than did 6.7-g brown shrimp; there was 

no significant difference between 

sizes at 10 ppt and 30 ppt. 

Sindermann and Rosenfield (1968) 

and Couch (1979) reviewed the major 

parasites and diseases affecting brown 

shrimp. Microsporidian protozoans, 

which destroy muscle tissue and 

8 
gonads, may be the most important brown shrimp were 

brown shrimp parasite. 

reported by 

Couch (1979) and Whitaker (1981b). 

Malathion, toxaphene, methyl parathThe effects of several environ- ion, and DDT are among the pesticides 

mental pollutants and pesticides on detrimental to brown shrimp. 
-. 
LITERATURE CITED 

Aldrich, D.V., C.E. Wood, and K.N. 

Baxter. 1968. An ecological 

interpretation of low temperature 

responses in Penaeus aztecus and P. 

setiferus postlarvae. Bull. Mar. 

Sci. 18:61-71. 

Anderson, W.W. 1970. Contributions 

to the life histories of several 

penaeid shrimp (Penaeidae) along the 

South Atlantic coast of the United 

States. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. 

Spec. Sci. Rep. Fish. No. 605. 24 

PP. 

Baxter, K.N., and W.C. Renfro. 1967. 

Seasonal occurrence and size 

distribution of postlarval brown and 

white shrimu near Galveston, Texas, 

with notes 

identification. 

Serv. Fish. Bull 

on species 

Fish Wildl. 

k?i49-158. 

1961. Notes on 

commercial shrimp 

(Penaeus) * South Carolina. 

Contrib. No.';3 Bears Bluff Lab 

S.C. Dep. Wildl. Mar. Res:: 

Charleston. 8 pp. 

Bearden, C.M. 

postlarvae of 

Bishop, J.M., J.G. Gosselink, and J.H. 

Stone. 1980. Oxygen consumption 

and hemolvmph osmolalitv of brown 

shrimp, Penaeus aztecus. "U.S. Natl. 

Mar. Fish. Serv. Fish. Bull. 

78:741-757. 

Burkenroad, M.D. 1939. Further Fontaine, C.T., and R.A. Neal, 1971. 

observations on Penaeidae of the Length-weight relations for three 

Northern Gulf of Mexico. Bull. commercially important 

Bingham Oceanogr. 

penaeid 

Collect. Yale shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Univ. 6. Art. 6. 62 pp. Trans. Am. Fish. Sot. 100:584-586. 

Christmas, J.Y., G. Gunter, and P. 

Musgrave. 1966. Studies on the 

annual abundance of postlarval 

penaeid shrimp in the estuarine 

waters of Mississippi as related to 

subsequent commercial catches. Gulf 

Res. Rep. 2:117-212. 

Cook, H.L., and M.L. Lindner. 1970. 

Synopsis of biological data on the 

brown shrimp Penaeus aztecus aztecus 

Ives, 1891. FAO Fish. Rep. 

57:1471-1497. 

Cook, H.L., and M.A. Murphy. 1969. 

The culture of larval penaeid 

shrimp. Trans. Am. Fish. sot. 

98:751-754. 

Copeland, B.J., and T.J. Bechtel. 

1974. Some environmental limits of 

six gulf coast estuarine organisms. 

Contrib. Mar. Sci. 18:169-204. 

Couch, J.A. 1979. Diseases, parasites and toxic responses of commercial penaeid shrimps of the Gulf 

of Mexico and South Atlantic coasts. 

U.S. Natl. Mar. Fish . Serv. Fish. 

Bull. 76:1-44. 

Darnell, R.M. 1958. Food habits of 

fishes and larger invertebrates of 

Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, and 

estuarine community. Publ. Inst. 

Mar. Sci. Univ. Tex. 5:535-416. 

11 
Perez-Farfante, I. 1969. Western 

Atlantic shrimps of the genus 

Penaeus. U.S. Fish. Wildl. Serv. 

fishll. 67:461-591. 

Purvis, C.E,, J.R. Waters, L.S. 

Danielson, J.E. Easley, Jr. 1976. 

Completion Report for State-Federal 

Fisheries Management Program, Contract No. 03-5-042-6. N.C. Dept. 

Nat. and Econ. Resour., Div. Mar. 

Fish. 29 PP. 

Renfro, W.C. 1964. Life history 

stages of Gulf of Mexico brown 

shrimp. Pages 94-98 in Biological 

Laboratory, Galveston, fex., fishery 

research for the year ending June 

30, 1963. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. 

Circ. 183 pp. 

States Fish. Comm. Inf. Ser. No. 3. 

9 PP. 

Subrahmanyam, C.B. 1971. The 

relative abundance and distribution 

of penaeid shrimp larvae off the 

Mississippi coast. Gulf Res. Rep. 

3:291-345. 

Swingle, H.A. 1971. Biology of 

Alabama estuarine areas. 

Cooperative Gulf of Mexico estuarine 

inventory. Ala. Mar. Resour. Bull. 

5. 

Temple, R.F., and C.C. Fisher. 1967. 

Seasonal distribution and relative 

abundance of planktonic-stage shrimp 

(Penaeus spp.) in the northwestern 

Gulf of Mexico, 1961. U.S. Fish 

Wildl. Serv. Fish. Bull. 66:323-334. 

Shipman, S. 1980. Penaeid shrimp 

migration and growth along the 

Georgia coast. Annu. Rep. October 

1979-September 1980. Ga. Dep. Nat. 

Resour., Coastal Resour. Div., 

Brunswick, Ga. 46 pp. 

Trent, L., E.J. Pullen, and R. Proctor. 1976. Abundance of macrocrustaceans in a natural marsh and a 

marsh altered by dredging, bulkheading, and filling. U.S. Natl. Mar. 

Fish. Serv. Fish. Bull. 74:195-200. 

Shipman, S., V.W. Baisden, and H.L. 

Ansley. 1983. Studies and 

Assessment of Georgia's Marine 

Fisheries Resources 1977-1981. 

Completion Report, Project period 1 

October 1977-31 December 1981. Ga. 

Dep. Nat. Resour., Coastal Resour. 

Div., Brunswick, 513 pp. 

Sinderman, C.J., and A. Rosenfield. 

1968. Principal diseases of 

commercially important marine 

bivalve Mollusca and Crustacea. 

U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Fish. Bull. 

66:335-385. 

Turner, R.E. 1977. Intertidal 

vegetation and commercial yields of 

penaeid shrimp. Trans. Am. Fish. 

Sot. 106:411-416. 

Venkataramaiah, A., G.J. Lakshmi, and 

G. Gunter. 1972. The effects of 

salinity, temperature and feeding 

levels on the food conversion, 

growth and survival rates of the 

shrimp Penaeus aztecus. Proc. Mar. 

Tech. Sot., Food-Drugs from the Sea. 

St. Amant, L.S., and J.G. Broom, and 

T.B. Ford. 1965. Studies of the 

brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus, in 

Barataria Bay, Lmam965. 

Bull. Mar. Sci. Gulf Caribb. 

18:1-16. 

Whitaker, J.D. 1981a. Description 

of the stock comprising the 

management unit. Pages 5-l to 5-54 

in M.D. McKenzie (ed.). Profile of 

ae penaeid shrimp fishery in the 

South Atlantic. South Atlantic 

Fishery Management Council. 

Charleston, S.C. 

St. Amant, L.S., M.J. Lindner, G.W. Whitaker, J.D. 1981b. Description of 

Allen, R.M. Ingle, W.J. Demoran, and the habitat. Pages 6-1 to 6-12 in 

T.R. Leary. 1966. The shrimp M.D. McKenzie (ed.). Profile of the 

fishery of the Gulf. of Mexico. Gulf penaeid shrimp fishery in the South 

13 
REPORT DOCUMENTATION l. REPORT NOPAGE Biological Report 82(11.90)* *. 

4. Title and Subtitle 

Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements 

of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (South Atlantic)--Brown 

January 1989 

6. 

Shrimp. 

7.Atihor(') Scott C. Larson, Michael J. Van Den Avyle and 6. Perlonning Organization Rep& N# 

Earl I . Rn7em_ ,lr 

9. Performing O~anization Name 4nd Address 10. Proioct/Task/Work Unit No. 

Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit 

School of Forest Resources 

University of Georgia 

11. Contract(C) 0, Grant(G) No. 

Athens, GA 30602 

(0 

--_ -- 

12. SponsorinS Orl8nization Name and Address 

(G) 

U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Amy Corps of Engineers 13. Typ4 of Rqmrt 6 Period Cmmnc 

Fish and Wildlife Service Waterways Experiment Station 

National Wetlands Research Center P.O. Box 631 

Washington, DC 20240 Vicksburg, MS 39180 

r 

14. 

15. Supplomantwy Notes 

*U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Report No. EL-82-4 

1S. Abstract (Limit: 200 words) 

Species profiles are literature summaries of the life history, distribution, and 

environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates. 

to assist with environmental impact assessment. 

Profiles are prepared 

Brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) account 

for about one-third of the commercial shrimp harvest in the Soumntic Region; 

the landings were worth $20 million in 1982. In the South Atlantic Region, comnercially 

important brown shrimp fishing grounds extend from Fort Pierce 

Sound and Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina. 

Florida, to Pamlico 

Most of the commerc/al harvest is taken 

inside the lo-fathom contour. Brown shrimp are omnivorous and eat food items ranging 

from detritus to small invertebrates and fishes. Many predators, including fishes 

and crustaceans, feed on brown shrimp. 

temperature or salinities. 

Brown shrimp survival is reduced by adverse 

Intertidal vegetation is an important characteristic of 

brown shrimp nursery areas. The suitability of some estuaries as nursery areas may 

be reduced by bulkheading, ditching, disposal of dredged materials, and drainage 

from agricultural and silvicultural areas. Existing estuarine areas must be preserved 

to ensure the continued production of brown shrimp. 

17. Document Analysis a. Descriptor4 

Estuaries 

Crustaceans 

Growth 

Feeding 

b. Id4ntlRen/Otaen-Ended Terms 

Brown shrimp Substrate use 

Penaeus aztecus 

Temperature requirements 

Salinity requirements 

c. COSATI FieldlGloup 

lb Availability Statement 1 19. Security Class (This Report) 1 21. No. of P.S.. 

Unlimited Distribution 

Unclassified 

t-- 

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20. Security Class (This Page) 22. price 

Unclassified 

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