Disease in Shrimp Aquaculture: Diagnosis and Strategies for Sustainable Management

Vikash Kumar; Anisa Mitra; Suvra Roy; Angana Majumder; Basanta Kumar Das

doi:10.2478/aoas-2025-0063

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Disease in Shrimp Aquaculture: Diagnosis and Strategies for Sustainable Management

Annals of Animal Science

Volume 26 (2026): Issue 2 (April 2026)

By: Vikash Kumar, Anisa Mitra, Suvra Roy, Angana Majumder and Basanta Kumar Das

Open Access

|Apr 2026

Figures & Tables

Stages in the diagnosis of shrimp disease

Case history information collected and carefully examined in order to potentially diagnose a disease with increased specificity (Kumar et al., 2022 a, b)

Potential beneficial role of probiotics in shrimp aquaculture (Kumar et al., 2021 a)

A schematic overview of the bacteriophage life cycle, including the lytic and lysogenic cycles. In the lytic cycle, bacteriophages infect the host and release the viral genome into bacterial cells. Once a phage infects a bacterium, it shuts down the defense mechanism and takes over its cellular machinery to synthesize new phage particles. The number of phage particles synthesized eventually reaches a point where they rupture the bacterial cells, resulting in the release of phage particles into the environment that infect the new host. In the lysogenic cycle, phage DNA is incorporated into the bacterial host genome, where it is passed on to subsequent generations. Environmental stressors such as starvation or exposure to toxic substances may cause the prophage to excise and enter the lytic cycle (Kumar et al., 2021 b)

Effect of plant-based or natural compounds and conventional compounds in shrimp and the environment (Kumar et al., 2021 b)

Schematic role of biofloc system in host, pathogen, and environment in a shrimp aquaculture facility (Kumar et al., 2021 b)

The fish behavioral signs during biotic and abiotic factors

Behavioral changes	Factors involved
Reduced or no feed intake	Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection and environmental factors
Lethargic swimming	Viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infection and environmental factors
Spinning and erratic swimming	Viral, parasitic, and environmental pollutants

Diagnostic levels, associated requirements and responsibilities

Level	Activity	Work requirements	Responsibility	Technical requirements to support activities
I	Observation of animal and environment	Knowledge of normal feeding, behavior, growth of stock	Farm worker/manager	Field keys
	Gross clinical examination	Frequent/regular observation of stock	Fishery extension officers	Farm record keeping formats
		Regular, consistent record-keeping and assistance (Levels II, III)	On-site veterinary support	Equipment lists
				Model clinical observation sheets
				Pond/Site record sheets
		Maintenance of records – including fundamental environmental information	Local fishery biologists	Preservation/transportation guidelines for Levels II/III diagnoses
		Knowledge contacts for health diagnosis		Model job descriptions/skill requirements
		Ability to submit and/or preserve representative specimens for optimal diagnosis (Levels II, III)		Asia Diagnostic Guide to Aquatic Animal Diseases
II	Parasitology	Laboratories with basic equipment and Personnel trained/experienced in aquatic animal pathology	Fish biologists/technicians	Model laboratory record-keeping system
	Bacteriology	Keep and maintain accurate diagnostic and laboratory case records	Aquatic veterinarians	Protocols for preservation/transport of samples to Level III
	Mycology	Ability to preserve and store specimens for optimal Level III diagnoses	Parasitologists/technicians	Model laboratory requirements/equipment/consumables lists
	Histopathology	Knowledge of/ contact with different areas of specialization within Level II	Mycologists/technicians	Model job descriptions/skill lists
		Knowledge of who to contact for Level III diagnostic assistance	Bacteriologists/technicians	Access to Level II and Level III specialist expertise
			Histopathologists/technicians	Asia Diagnostic Guide to Aquatic Animal Diseases
				OIE Diagnostic Manual for Aquatic Animal Diseases
				Regional General Diagnostics Manuals
III	Virology	Highly equipped laboratory with highly specialised and trained personnel	Virologist/technician	Model laboratory requirements/equipment/consumables lists
	Electron microscopy	Keep and maintain accurate diagnostic and laboratory case records	Ultrastructural histopathologist/technicians	Model job descriptions/skill requirements
	Molecular biology	Preserve and store specimens	Molecular biology scientists/technicians	Contact information for reference laboratories
	Immunology	Maintenance of contact with people responsible for sample submission		Protocols for preservation of samples for consultation/validation
				Asia Diagnostic Guide to Aquatic Animal Diseases
				OIE Diagnostic Manual for Aquatic Animal Diseases
				General molecular and microbiology diagnostic references

Role of plant-based compounds in shrimp health (Kumar et al_, 2021 b)

Class	Sub-class	Example	Role in aquatic species
Phenolics	Quinones, flavonoids, flavones, tannins, flavonols	Allium sps. (Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Allium tuberosum), Cynodon dactylon, Viscum album, etc.	Immunostimulant, antioxidant, antimicrobial, growth promotor, anti-helminthic, antiviral
Alkaloids		Camellia sinensis, Nicotiana tabacum, Aconitum napellus, Atropa belladonna, Conium maculatum, etc.	Immunostimulant, antioxidant, antimicrobial, growth promotor, anti-helminthic, antiviral
Terpenoids and essential oils		Pistacia terebinthus, Lavandula angustifolia, Mentha piperita, Melaleuca alternifolia, etc.	Immunostimulant, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-helminthic, growth promotor
Lectins and polypeptides		Glycine max, Arachis hypogaea, Triticum aestivum, Cocos nucifera, etc.	Antioxidant, antiviral, immunostimulant
Polyacetylenes		Anethum graveolens, Carum, carvi, Daucus carota, etc.	Immunostimulant, antimicrobial, antioxidant

Summarizing management measures used in shrimp aquaculture for disease management, including details on doses, target species, and effects on shrimp health

Management measure	Product/Species	Dose	Target species	Effect on host	References
1	2	3	4	5	6
Probiotics	Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis	1×10⁷ CFU/mL in water	Penaeus vannamei	Enhances immune response, improves gut health, reduces Vibrio infections	Rajan et al., 2021
	Lactobacillus plantarum	1×10⁶ CFU/g in feed	Penaeus monodon	Boosts immune response, reduces susceptibility to Vibrio infections	Nayak, 2021
	Bacillus coagulans	0.5 g/kg of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Enhances growth, improves survival rate under bacterial infections (AHPND)	Karunasagar and Karunasagar, 2021
	Pseudomonas aeruginosa	10⁶ CFU/mL in water	Penaeus monodon	Increases resistance to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)	Mohanty et al., 2020
	Bacillus subtilis	1×10⁷ CFU/g in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Improved survival rates, reduced Vibrio infections, better growth	Wang et al., 2008; Zokaeifar et al., 2012
	Bacillus licheniformis	1×10⁷ CFU/mL in water	Penaeus monodon	Enhanced immune response, improved gut microbiota, reduced mortality	Balcázar et al., 2006
	Lactobacillus plantarum	1×10⁶ CFU/g in feed	Penaeus monodon	Stimulates immune system, enhances growth, improves water quality	Vijayan et al., 2019
	Bacillus coagulans	0.5 g/kg in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Increased resistance to Vibrio spp., enhanced growth rates	Kesavelu Sr et al., 2020
	Pseudomonas aeruginosa	10⁶ CFU/mL in water	Penaeus monodon	Increased resistance to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)	Mohanty et al., 2020
	Enterococcus faecium	10⁸ CFU/mL in water	Penaeus vannamei	Improved gut microbiota, increased resistance to bacterial pathogens	Huynh et al., 2018
	Bacillus amyloliquefaciens	1×10⁶ CFU/g in feed	Penaeus monodon	Enhanced immune system, improved water quality, reduced ammonia	Tseng et al., 2009
	Saccharomyces cerevisiae	0.5 g/kg in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Improved gut health, increased nutrient absorption, growth promoter	Ziaei-Nejad et al., 2006
	Shewanella putrefaciens	1×10⁷ CFU/mL in water	Penaeus vannamei	Reduction in ammonia levels, increased resistance to Vibrio infections	Hai et al., 2009
	Bacillus cereus	10⁷ CFU/mL in water	Penaeus vannamei	Improved survival rates during stressful conditions	Qi et al., 2009
	Lactobacillus rhamnosus	1×10⁶ CFU/mL in water	Penaeus monodon	Improved survival rates, enhanced immune function, reduced pathogens	Venkat et al., 2004
	Photobacterium damselae	10⁶ CFU/mL in water	Penaeus vannamei	Inhibits growth of Vibrio spp., enhances immune response	Balcázar et al., 2012
	Vibrio alginolyticus	10⁶ CFU/mL in water	Penaeus vannamei	Stimulates growth, improves water quality, reduces Vibrio infections	Tseng et al., 2009
Immunostimulants	Beta-glucan	0.2 g/kg of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Activates innate immunity, enhances disease resistance to WSSV	Chiu et al., 2022
	Chitosan	1 g/kg of feed	Penaeus monodon	Enhances growth, reduces mortality under WSSV infection	Panigrahi et al., 2022
	Levamisole	5 mg/kg of body weight	Penaeus vannamei	Stimulates immune system, improves resistance to Vibrio infections	Mohapatra et al., 2017
	Vitamin C and E	1 g/kg of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Enhances immune function, reduces stress, and improves growth	Li et al., 2023
	Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB)	1–5 g/kg of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Enhances immune parameters, improves gut microbiota, reduces Vibrio infection rates	De Schryver et al., 2010
	Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS)	0.5–1% of feed	Penaeus monodon	Enhances immune response, reduces Vibrio infection rates, boosts growth	Zhang et al., 2020
	Toll-like receptor agonists (TLRs)	0.5–1% of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Improves pathogen recognition, enhances immune defense, reduces viral and bacterial infections	Venegas et al., 2000
	Amino acids	1–2 g/kg of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Enhances immune response, improves survival, and reduces disease incidence	Romano and Kumar, 2017
	Yeast derivatives	2–3% of feed	Penaeus vannamei, Penaeus monodon	Improves gut health, enhances immune function, reduces mortality from infections	Bai et al., 2014
	Glucan (from Saccharomyces cerevisiae)	1–2% of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Stimulates immune response, enhances disease resistance, and improves growth	Soltanian et al., 2014
	Herbal extracts (Azadirachta indica)	1–2% of feed	Penaeus vannamei, Penaeus monodon	Antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, improves survival	Citarasu et al., 2006
	Selenium	1.5 mg/kg of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Reduces oxidative stress, improves immune parameters, lowers mortality from infections	Wang et al., 2009
	Fucoidan	0.5–1% of feed	Penaeus monodon, Penaeus vannamei	Antiviral activity, improves immune response, reduces WSSV mortality	Chotigeat et al., 2011
	Peptidoglycan	0.1–0.5% of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Stimulates immune cells, reduces bacterial and viral load, enhances growth	Vaseeharan et al., 2012
	Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)	0.2–0.5% of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Triggers immune response, reduces mortality in viral infections like WSSV	Vaseeharan and Ramasamy, 2003
Prebiotics	Mannan oligosaccharides	0.2% to 0.5% in feed	Penaeus monodon	Enhances gut flora, improves resistance to pathogens	Sookying et al., 2011
	Inulin	1 g/kg of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Promotes growth, increases survival rates under pathogenic stress	Xia et al., 2021
	Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)	0.1% to 0.3% in feed	Penaeus monodon	Enhances immune function, reduces susceptibility to pathogens	Zhou et al., 2024
	Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)	0.2% in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Boosts immune response, enhances gut microbiota, reduces disease outbreaks	Lara-Flores et al., 2010
	Xylooligosaccharides (XOS)	0.2% in feed	Penaeus monodon	Improves disease resistance, promotes beneficial gut bacteria	Ibrahim et al., 2023
	Beta-glucan	0.1% to 0.5% in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Activates shrimp immune system, enhances resistance to Vibrio and WSSV	Cheng et al., 2020
	Chitin	0.2% in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Improves growth performance, enhances gut microbiota, reduces mortality	Li et al., 2020
	Chitosan	1 g/kg in feed	Penaeus monodon	Enhances immune response, improves growth rate, reduces mortality under stress	Panigrahi et al., 2020
	Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS)	0.5% in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Enhances resistance to pathogens, boosts immune system, improves growth	Robles-Porchas et al., 2020
	Levan	0.1% to 0.2% in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Promotes beneficial gut bacteria, enhances immune response, reduces mortality	Ringo et al., 2012
	Yeast-derived β-glucans	0.2% in feed	Penaeus monodon	Stimulates immune system, enhances resistance to bacterial and viral infections	Meena et al., 2022
	Soybean meal oligosaccharides	1 g/kg in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Improves digestion, enhances resistance to pathogens like Vibrio spp.	Jiang et al., 2022
Herbal extracts	Turmeric (Curcuma longa)	1–2% in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Antioxidant properties, boosts immune response to bacterial and viral infections	Arulvasu et al., 2020
	Aloe vera	2% in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Enhances immune response, improves antioxidant activity	Ibrahim et al., 2023
	Turmeric (Curcuma longa)	1–2% of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Enhances immune response, anti-oxidant properties, reduces bacterial and viral infections	Arulvasu et al., 2020
	Garlic (Allium sativum)	0.5–2% of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Boosts immune system, improves growth rate, reduces Vibrio infections	Nya and Austin, 2009
	Ginger (Zingiber officinale)	1% of feed	Penaeus monodon	Improves growth, enhances immune response, reduces bacterial infections	Mugwanya et al., 2022 b
	Neem (Azadirachta indica)	1% in water	Penaeus monodon	Antibacterial and antiviral properties, reduces Vibrio and WSSV	Velmurugan et al., 2013
	Aloe vera	1–2% of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Enhances immunity, improves antioxidant response, reduces WSSV outbreaks	Ilham et al., 2024
	Eclipta alba	1 g/kg in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Antimicrobial properties, reduces Vibrio load in shrimp ponds	Govindasamy et al., 2019
	Moringa oleifera	2–3% of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Immune booster, improves growth rate, decreases Vibrio infections	Soltanian et al., 2021
	Peppermint (Mentha piperita)	1 g/kg in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Antioxidant properties, improves immune function, reduces mortality from bacterial infections	Badr et al., 2021
	Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum)	2% of feed	Penaeus monodon	Enhances immunity, reduces stress and mortality under pathogen exposure	Radhakrishnan et al., 2016
	Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)	0.5 g/kg in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties, improves resistance to infections	Hamed et al., 2022
	Andrographis paniculata	1 g/kg in feed	Penaeus monodon	Antiviral properties, enhances immune system, reduces mortality due to Vibrio	Misra et al., 2013
	Green tea (Camellia sinensis)	1% of feed	Penaeus vannamei	Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, reduces mortality from infections	Immanuel et al., 2012
	Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)	0.5 g/kg in feed	Penaeus monodon	Anti-inflammatory, improves immune response, reduces pathogenic bacteria	Dinakaran et al., 2017
	Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)	0.5–1% in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Antimicrobial activity, enhances immune system, reduces bacterial infections	Ahmadifar et al., 2021
	Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)	1% in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Antibacterial, antioxidant properties, improves growth and survival under bacterial infections	Ashry et al., 2024
	Garlic (Allium sativum)	0.5–1.0 mg/kg feed	Penaeus vannamei	Provides broad-spectrum protection against WSSV, reduces mortality and increases growth	Vaseeharan et al., 2011
	Pomegranate (Punica granatum)	0.5–1% in feed	Penaeus vannamei	Improves survival rates, enhances immune response, reduces Vibrio infections	Subramanian et al., 2017
Vaccines	DNA vaccine against WSSV	Experimental doses vary	Penaeus vannamei	Provides protection against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)	Li et al., 2020 b
	DNA vaccine for white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)	20–50 μg of DNA per shrimp	Penaeus vannamei, Penaeus monodon	Provides immunity to WSSV, reduces viral load, improves survival rate during WSSV outbreaks	Tan et al., 2001
	Inactivated WSSV vaccine	10–20 μg per shrimp	Penaeus monodon	Reduces viral replication, increases survival rate during WSSV infection	Kumar et al., 2008
	Subunit vaccine for WSSV	100 μg/kg feed	Penaeus vannamei	Provides protection against WSSV, decreases mortality in farmed shrimp	Li et al., 2007
	Vaccine for yellow head virus (YHV)	20–30 μg per shrimp	Penaeus monodon	Boosts immune system, reduces viral replication, improves survival under YHV exposure	Soonthornchai et al., 2010
	Vacfectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV)	10–50 μg per shrimp	Penaeus vannamei	Provides protective immunity, reduces mortality, enhances immune parameters	Hu et al., 2012
	Vaccine for TaV	50 μg per shrimp	Penaeus vannamei	Induces immune protection against TSV, reduces viral load and mortality	Granja et al., 2006
	Bacterial vaccine for Vibrio	100 μg per shrimp (oral or injection)	Penaeus vannamei, Penaeus monodon	Enhances resistance to Vibrio infections, reduces bacterial load, improves growth and survival	Son et al., 2009
	Bivalent vaccine (WSSV and Vibrio spp.)	100 μg per shrimp	Penaeus vannamei	Provides dual protection against WSSV and Vibrio, reduces mortality	Venegas et al., 2000
	Oral DNA vaccine for WSSV	1–5 μg/g in feed	Penaeus vannamei, Penaeus monodon	Enhances immune system, reduces viral load, improves survival rate	Rout et al., 2007
	Vaccine for Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP)	100 μg/kg feed	Penaeus vannamei	Provides immunity to EHP, reduces spore load, improves resistance to other diseases like AHPND	Tran et al., 2020
	Peptide vaccine for WSSV	0.5–1.0 mg/kg feed	Penaeus vannamei	Provides broad-spectrum protection against WSSV, reduces mortality and increases growth	Vaseeharan et al., 2011
	Vaccine (multiple pathogens)		Shrimp	Provides protection against WSSV, Vibrio, and other bacterial pathogens	Kulkarni et al., 2021

References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2025-0063 | Journal eISSN: 2300-8733 | Journal ISSN: 1642-3402

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Language: English

Page range: 521 - 554

Submitted on: Nov 26, 2024

Accepted on: Jun 12, 2025

Published on: Apr 15, 2026

Published by: National Research Institute of Animal Production

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

shrimp aquaculture,

disease,

production,

management measures,

sustainable development

Related subjects:

Zoology,

© 2026 Vikash Kumar, Anisa Mitra, Suvra Roy, Angana Majumder, Basanta Kumar Das, published by National Research Institute of Animal Production
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 26 (2026): Issue 2 (April 2026)

Disease in Shrimp Aquaculture: Diagnosis and Strategies for Sustainable Management

Figures & Tables

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.

Figure 4.

Figure 5.

Figure 6.

The fish behavioral signs during biotic and abiotic factors

Diagnostic levels, associated requirements and responsibilities

Role of plant-based compounds in shrimp health (Kumar et al_, 2021 b)

Summarizing management measures used in shrimp aquaculture for disease management, including details on doses, target species, and effects on shrimp health

Paradigm

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