Practical information to identify and manage non-native, invasive plants and animals
The Quiet Invasion:A Guide to Invasive Species of the Galveston Bay Area
Litopenaeus stylirostris, Litopenaeus vannamei, Penaeus monodon
| ITIS TSN: | 551681; 551682; 95638 |
| Presence: | Current Invaders |
| Habitat: | Aquatic |
| Native Range: | The Asian tiger shrimp (P. monodon) is native to Southeast Asia. The blue shrimp (L. stylirostris) and the Pacific white shrimp (L. vannamei) are native to the Pacific coast of Central and South America. |
Human Health
These species pose no known human health impacts.Prohibited Lists
All species of shrimp belonging to the family Penaeidae (except Litopenaeus setiferus, Farfantepenaeus aztecus and Farfantepenaeus duorarum) are legally classified in Texas as exotic, harmful, or potentially harmful. No person may import, possess, sell, or place these species into state waters except as authorized by a rule or permit issued by the TPWD.Introduction Pathways
Non-native shrimp were introduced in the U.S. (Florida, Texas, Georgia, Hawaii, and South Carolina) in the 1970s and 1980s for commercial aquaculture. Nonnative shrimp have escaped through accidental aquaculture releases (Perry 2005).Geographic Distribution
The blue shrimp and Pacific white shrimp have been captive bred in Texas and Hawaii since the 1980s. Although some blue shrimp individuals have escaped, there are no known populations in the wild (Fuller 2009). The Pacific white shrimp has been collected off the coasts of South Carolina and Texas. In Texas, Pacific white shrimp have been found in Matagorda Bay and the Lower Laguna Madre. The Asian tiger shrimp has been collected in 6 states in the U.S., including Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. Of these three species, only the Pacific white shrimp has been found in Texas coastal waters.Specific Primary Habitats
In general, shrimp of the family Penaeidae inhabit shallow waters in tropical and subtropical climates. Penaeid shrimp tolerate a wide range of salinities, and occur commonly at salinities from 0.5-35 ppt and temperatures from 20-33°C. Penaeid shrimp adults live and breed in marine waters, larvae develop as oceanic zooplankton, but juveniles inhabit coastal, estuarine habitats. Adult shrimp usually burrow into the substrate during the day and hunt at night (Dall 1990; Zimmerman et al. 2000).Ecological, Economic, or Social Impact
The ecological impacts of exotic shrimp introduction are unknown. However, there is concern that shrimp viruses associated with these species may infect native shrimp populations in the Gulf of Mexico (Fuller 2009). Viruses of concern include White Spot Virus (WSSV) and Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV).Physical Description
P. vannamei is pale reddish brown to white in color, similar to brown and white shrimp species native to the Gulf of Mexico. The blue shrimp is typically pale grayish-blue in color. The Asian tiger shrimp is identified by strong black and white banding on the carapace. Adult Asian tiger and blue shrimp tend to be larger in size than their native cousins. They can grow to more than 25 cm (10 inches) in length and 150 grams in weight (Fuller 2009). The rostrums (beak-like extensions over the eyes) of these shrimp are moderately long and toothed. Females grow slightly faster than males.Reproduction Characteristics
Penaeid spawning takes place in marine waters in the spring and can occur several times, with each female shrimp producing 100,000 to 1 million eggs per spawn. The male deposits a sperm packet, or spermatophore, on or in the female thelycum and as eggs are ejected, they pass the sperm packet and are fertilized. Fertilized eggs float in the water column and incubate for 12-24 hours before hatching into pelagic larvae which move into the water column (Bray and Lawrence 1992). After multiple larval stages, juveniles reach the postlarval stage at which time they move into food-rich estuaries to mature.Feeding
The juveniles and adults of these shrimp species are omnivorous bottom feeders. They feed on a variety of food sources throughout their life history including: phytoplankton as larvae, small invertebrate zooplankton as late larvae and postlarvae, and benthic animals as well as animal and plant detritus as juveniles and adults.Control
Early detection is key to preventing the spread and establishment of this species and regional/local monitoring or surveillance is essential. Nonnative species of shrimp should not be imported alive or released in local waterways. If found in local waters, note the capture location, kill and freeze the shrimp, and notify the TPWD.Lists
This species belongs to the following lists:
Images
To view a larger version of an image, click on the thumbnail. Asian tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Photo courtesy of USGS, USGS NAS Database, http://nas.er.usgs.gov. |
 Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Photo courtesy of Herman Gunawan, USGS NAS Database, http://nas.er.usgs.gov. |
 A young Pacific white shrimp, (Litopenaeus vannamei), feeds on a soy-based pellet. USDA Agricultural Research Service Photo Unit, Bugwood.org. |