What is the Shrimp Hepatopancreas?

The hepatopancreas is one of the most vital organs in vannamei shrimp, serving as the center of metabolism. Located in the cephalothorax (head-thorax area) with a yellowish-brown color, this organ functions as the center of digestion, metabolism, energy storage, detoxification, and immune response. This makes it crucial in maintaining shrimp growth and health.

In many shrimp disease cases, pathogens attack the hepatopancreas, causing imbalances in the body. Any disturbance in this organ directly impacts farming performance.

The Role of Microflora in Shrimp Health

Inside the hepatopancreas, there are natural microflora communities that help maintain its optimal function. These include beneficial bacteria (natural probiotics) that play key roles such as:

• Supporting digestion by producing enzymes
• Balancing microbial populations to prevent pathogen overgrowth
• Stimulating shrimp immune responses
• Keeping hepatopancreas tissues healthy

With balanced microflora, shrimp can digest feed more efficiently and are better protected against pathogen attacks.

Read also: 3 steps to maintain a stable shrimp pond microbial ecosystem

Causes of Hepatopancreas Microflora Damage

Microflora are essential for maintaining hepatopancreas health. When their balance is disrupted, microflora communities are damaged, leaving the organ vulnerable. This damage and imbalance can occur due to several factors, including:

• Poor water quality: high levels of ammonia, nitrite, or organic matter can harm beneficial microflora populations.
• Contaminated feed: feed containing fungi, harmful bacteria, or toxic chemicals affects microflora health.
• Environmental stress: sudden changes in temperature or salinity disrupt microflora balance.
• Pathogen infections: diseases such as EHP (Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei), Vibrio, or White Feces Disease (WFD) replace beneficial microflora with harmful bacteria/parasites.
• Excessive chemical use: misuse of antibiotics or disinfectants can wipe out beneficial bacteria.

When microflora are damaged, shrimp may suffer from digestive issues, weakened immunity, slower growth, and higher mortality risks.

How to Maintain Shrimp Hepatopancreas Health

The hepatopancreas plays a key role in shrimp growth. Farmers must ensure this organ stays healthy and its microflora remain balanced. Steps that can be taken include:

• Regularly monitoring water quality (DO, pH, ammonia, nitrite, salinity).
• Using high-quality, contaminant-free feed that meets shrimp nutritional needs.
• Applying feed additives to support digestive microflora balance.

Protect Hepatopancreas Health with HEPATOP

Diseases such as EHP and AHPND constantly threaten shrimp. Protect the hepatopancreas from the start of cultivation with HEPATOP to prevent diseases like EHP and AHPND.

HEPATOP contains 13 vitamins, yeast, and 7 essential minerals to safeguard shrimp against disease. Its benefits include:

• A complete formulation for feed mixing during EHP outbreaks
• Protection of the hepatopancreas from disease
• Boosting shrimp immunity
• Defense against fungi, toxins, and Vibrio from the start of cultivation
• Anti-toxin protection from early farming to harvest

📦 Get HEPATOP exclusively at the FisTx marketplace or contact us at:
📞 +62 823-2354-5511