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Shrimp eggs are thought to sink to the bottom at the time of
spawning. Egg diameter is less than one sixty-fourth of an inch. Most spawning
is believed to occur in high salinity oceanic waters.
There are five naupliar stages. The first stage is about the size of
the egg and succeeding stages are slightly larger. Nauplii have limited swimming
ability and are usually part of oceanic plankton.
The three protozoeal stages range in size from one twenty-fifth of an
inch to one twelfth of an inch. These planktonic forms are found in oceanic
waters. Protozoea have undergone development of their mouth parts and the
abdomen has begun to develop.
There are three mysid stages ranging in size from one eighth of an inch
to one fifth of an inch. These are planktonic in the ocean. Mysids have early
development of antenna and legs.
The two postlarval stages of white shrimp are about one sixth of an
inch to one quarter of an inch. Brown shrimp postlarva are larger, up to about
one half inch. The walking and swimming legs have developed and the postlarval
looks like a miniature shrimp. The second postlarval stage rides the flood tides
into the estuaries, apparently becoming active on the flood tide, and settling
to the bottom during ebb tides. These postlarval ultimately settle in the upper
parts of tidal creeks.
Postlarval Shrimp develop directly into juvenile shrimp. Growth is
rapid up to two and a half inches per month. Juveniles are similar to adults
except they are characterized by a much longer rostrum (horn). Juveniles
typically stay in the marsh creeks until reaching about four to four and a half
inches before moving into deeper rivers.
Sub-Adults move into the deeper water of the estuaries and may remain
there for a month or more before moving seaward. These shrimp continue to grow
but at a slower rate than Juveniles. Sub-Adults do not show any signs of ovarian
maturity.
Adults may be five to eight inches in length. Adults are usually
found in the ocean but in dry years may delay migration until cold weather
occurs. Spawning females are characterized by a brightly colored ovaries that
can be seen under the shell on the upper side of the body. Adults may be found
near the beach out to five or six miles from shore. Some species are known to
migrate hundreds of miles along the coast.
Last Revised: September 30, 2006 03:46 PM.
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Shrimp
