Step 1 — Apply mineral to pond
CELL CANPHOS GOLD 1kg/1,000m³ applied to water. Shrimp uptake Ca, Mg from water via gills.
Soft Shell — Poor Moulting — Soft shell signals mineral deficiency + weak hepatopancreas. Apply mineral + feed Ca/D3 — shells harden within 24h. | Thần Vương
Soft shells after moulting,
uneven moult, cannibalism?
Soft shell signals mineral deficiency + weak hepatopancreas. Apply mineral + feed Ca/D3 — shells harden within 24h.
✓ Water + feed mineral✓ Protect hepatopancreas✓ Even moulting
Soft shells after moulting indicate lacking trace minerals (Ca, Mg, P) or weak hepatopancreas not storing enough lipids. Treat with: (1) CELL CANPHOS GOLD 1kg/1,000m³ in water, (2) feed CANFORTA 5g/kg + ACTISEL 3g/kg for 7 days, (3) HERB GUARD for hepatopancreas. Prevention from day 30.
Quick Summary
Main Causes
- Trace mineral deficiency
- Weak hepatopancreas
- Poor inorganic mineral absorption
Signs
- Ca, Mg, P in water too low for chitin synthesis
- insufficient lipid reserves for moulting energy
- traditional powder minerals only 30-40% absorbed
Solutions
- Apply CELL CANPHOS GOLD 1kg/1,000m³ at first sign of soft shell
- Feed CANFORTA 5g/kg
- Feed ACTISEL 3g/kg
⚠ Shrimp lacks minerals + has weak hepatopancreas
01 Soft shells 24-48h after moulting
02 Incomplete moult, stuck-shell mortality
03 Cannibalism increasing
04 Uneven sizing, clear cohort split
05 Pale hepatopancreas, lipid-depleted
Why are shells still soft after moulting?
Soft shell is NOT just calcium deficiency — it's a combination of minerals + weak hepatopancreas + environmental stress
Low water minerals — Ca/Mg/P insufficient for chitin
Inorganic powder minerals — only 30-40% absorbed
Weak hepatopancreas — insufficient lipid + mineral reserve
Post-rain: pH/alkalinity drop — minerals precipitate, unavailable
⚠ High-dose quicklime/hydrated lime (CaO, Ca(OH)₂) → pH > 9, Mg precipitates, NH₃ toxicity rises, shrimp stress + soft shell.
CELL CANPHOS GOLD + CANFORTA —
Organic mineral + Ca/D3 in feed
Passive absorption
Harden shell in 24h
Protect hepatopancreas
Soft shell protocol — 3 practical steps
Step 2 — Feed-mixed mineral supplement
CANFORTA 5g/kg + ACTISEL 3g/kg in feed. Ca, Mg, vitamin D3 enter gut → hepatopancreas stores for next moult.
Step 3 — Mineralise shell post-moult
Immediately after moulting, shrimp draw Ca/Mg from blood + water to mineralise the new chitin layer. Adequate mineral = shell hardens within 24h.
Real protocol — From soft shell to even moulting7-day protocol —
7-day protocol —
Harden shells + prevent relapse
01
Apply mineral immediately
CELL CANPHOS GOLD 1kg/1,000m³ — apply in evening during peak moulting. Minerals enter water immediately, gill absorption in 2-4h. Repeat after 48h if still soft.
02
Feed CANFORTA + ACTISEL
CANFORTA 5g/kg + ACTISEL 3g/kg feed, 2 meals/day × 7 days. Supplements Ca, Mg, D3 via gut — live yeast boosts absorption.
03
Protect hepatopancreas with HERB GUARD
HERB GUARD 5g/kg feed — 15 herbs protect hepatopancreas, build lipid reserves. Healthy liver = sufficient energy + mineral store for each moult.
04
Stabilize alkalinity with GROWMIN
GROWMIN 1kg/1,000m³ — raise alkalinity to 80-120 ppm. Stable alkalinity = no mineral precipitation = max absorption. Prevent from day 30, every 5-7 days.
How to use CELL CANPHOS GOLD + CANFORTA for soft shell
- ➤ Urgent if soft > 24h CELL CANPHOS GOLD 2L/1,000m³ (double dose). Max aeration, check green Vibrio.
- ➤ Standard 7-day protocol CELL CANPHOS GOLD 1kg/1,000m³ + CANFORTA 5g/kg + ACTISEL 3g/kg
- ➤ Prevent from day 30 CELL CANPHOS GOLD 0.5L/1,000m³ every 7 days + CANFORTA 3g/kg alternating
- ➤ Late season — finishing Maintain mineral + HERB GUARD 5g/kg until harvest — firm shell, even size
When to combine CELL CANPHOS GOLD with other solutions?
Minerals + hepatopancreas are core. If pond has white feces, severe hepatopancreas, or high Vibrio — combine more.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How long until soft shells harden?
Normal: shells harden within 24h after moulting. Mineral-deficient: 48-72h or longer, risk of cannibalism. Treat immediately if soft shell persists beyond 24h.
Difference between inorganic and organic chelated minerals?
Inorganic minerals (sulfate, oxide): low absorption, easily precipitate at pH fluctuations. Organic chelated minerals (like CELL CANPHOS GOLD): Ca/Mg bound to amino acids → dissolves into ionic form, more efficient passive absorption via gills/gut — especially under stress or low pH.
Why does weak hepatopancreas cause soft shell?
Hepatopancreas stores lipids + minerals. During moulting, shrimp draw from this store to build new shell. Weak liver = insufficient store = soft shell or incomplete moult. HERB GUARD provides long-term liver protection.
Shrimp dying during moult — what to do?
Serious sign. (1) Apply CELL CANPHOS GOLD 2L/1,000m³ (double dose). (2) 100% aeration — run paddle wheels continuously. (3) Check green Vibrio — if high, disinfect with VIRO TRAP. (4) Feed AQUAMOS to boost immunity. Should improve in 24h.
Should I use lime for shell hardening?
NO. Lime doesn't provide directly absorbable Ca for shrimp. High-dose quicklime/hydrated lime (CaO, Ca(OH)₂) → pH > 9, Mg precipitates, NH₃ toxicity rises, shrimp stress + soft shell. Use CELL CANPHOS GOLD (chelated organic Ca + Mg, liquid) with GROWMIN (safe alkalinity).
Soft shell prevention from which day?
From day 30 — when shrimp start moulting on 7-10 day cycles. Protocol: (1) CELL CANPHOS GOLD 0.5L/1,000m³ every 7 days, (2) feed CANFORTA 3 days on / 4 days off, (3) GROWMIN 1kg/1,000m³ maintaining alkalinity 80-120 ppm.