Vannamei Stocking Density — by pond size, intensity, and target yield
Stocking density is the single biggest input decision in a Vannamei cycle. Too low and you leave revenue on the table. Too high and your DO crashes, FCR explodes, and disease pressure compounds. This calculator walks through the math by intensity level.
Intensity bands
Extensive: 5-15 PL/m². Semi-intensive: 20-40 PL/m². Intensive: 50-100 PL/m². Super-intensive (biofloc, RAS): 150-300 PL/m². Match density to your aeration capacity — rule of thumb is 1 HP aeration per 600 PL at intensive density.
Worked example
1 ha pond (10,000 m²). Target: intensive, 60 PL/m². Total PL needed: 600,000. Expected survival at harvest: 75%. Harvest count: 450,000 shrimp. At 18 g ABW at DOC 120: 8.1 tonnes biomass. At ₹450/kg farm-gate count-30: ₹36.45 lakh gross revenue.
Survival assumptions
Survival drops with density. Extensive: 80-85%. Semi-intensive: 75-80%. Intensive: 65-75%. Super-intensive: 55-65%. Use a conservative survival number — over-estimating survival is the most common cause of over-feeding and FCR drift.
Aeration matters more than density
An intensive pond with sufficient aeration will outperform a semi-intensive pond with inadequate aeration every single time. Calculate aeration in horsepower per kg of standing biomass, not per area.
Ready to try it on your farm?
Free for your first pond. No card required. Works offline.
Open stocking calculatorFrequently asked questions
Should I stock at the max for my intensity band?
No. Stock at 80-85% of max so you have headroom if a pump fails or water quality drifts. The marginal PL above 85% rarely survive to harvest at premium count sizes.
Does the platform recalculate as my cycle progresses?
Yes — CAMARON's growth engine recalculates expected biomass and harvest revenue daily from your ABW and survival logs.
Monodon (black tiger) densities?
Half of Vannamei. Monodon extensive: 3-8 PL/m². Semi-intensive: 10-20 PL/m². Rarely goes above 30 PL/m² in India.