India has a long coastline and vast network of estuaries, lagoons and backwaters that create ideal conditions for brackishwater aquaculture. Coastal communities can improve their income and food security by choosing species that grow fast, tolerate variable salinity and fetch good market prices. In this article, we look at the Top 10 Species for Brackishwater and Coastal Farming in India that farmers can culture in ponds, creeks and sea cages. The focus is on practical information that can help both beginners and advanced farmers better understand basic biology, farming systems, feeding needs and market potential.
#1 Litopenaeus vannamei whiteleg shrimp
Litopenaeus vannamei, commonly called whiteleg shrimp, is now the most widely farmed brackishwater shrimp in India. It grows fast, converts feed efficiently and can be stocked at high densities in lined ponds with proper aeration. This species performs well in a salinity range from about 2 to 35 parts per thousand, which suits many creek and estuary locations. Seed supply from hatcheries is strong, and export demand is high, which supports attractive farm gate prices. However, farmers must follow strict biosecurity, water quality and health management to avoid disease outbreaks, crop losses and income instability.
#2 Penaeus monodon black tiger shrimp
Penaeus monodon, known as black tiger shrimp, is a traditional favourite in Indian brackishwater aquaculture. It can grow to large sizes, which fetch premium prices in domestic and export markets. This species prefers moderate to high salinity and slightly lower stocking densities than whiteleg shrimp, making it suitable for larger, more extensive ponds. Many small farmers like tiger shrimp because it can be partly dependent on natural productivity with fertilisation and limited feeding. The main challenges are disease risk and the need for high quality specific pathogen free seed, careful pond preparation and regular monitoring.
#3 Scylla serrata mud crab
The mud crab Scylla serrata is an excellent option for farmers who have tidal creeks, mangrove areas or ponds with uneven bottoms where shrimp culture is difficult. Mud crabs tolerate wide fluctuations in salinity and dissolved oxygen and can feed on low cost trash fish and molluscs. Farming can be done in ponds, pens or individual cages placed in creeks. A major attraction is the very high market price for live crabs, both locally and for export. Successful culture depends on reliable crab seed, strong fencing, predator control and secure marketing channels for live transport.
#4 Lates calcarifer Asian seabass
Asian seabass Lates calcarifer is a highly valued marine finfish that adapts well to brackishwater ponds and coastal cage culture in India. It is a fast growing carnivorous fish with firm, white flesh that restaurants and hotels prefer. Seed are available from several hatcheries and can be stocked either in monoculture or in polyculture with shrimp, provided feeding is well planned. Seabass requires good quality water with adequate dissolved oxygen and responds well to nutritionally balanced floating pellets. Farmers must pay attention to grading, as larger fish may prey on smaller ones, and to careful harvest planning.
#5 Etroplus suratensis pearlspot
Pearlspot Etroplus suratensis is an indigenous brackishwater fish popular in Kerala and coastal lagoons and backwaters of India. It is well adapted to fluctuating salinity and can graze on natural algae and detritus, which reduces feed cost in fertilised ponds. Pearlspot has good demand in local markets because of its taste and cultural importance in traditional cuisine. Although growth is slower compared to seabass or mullet, it is hardy and suitable for small scale farmers and integrated farming systems. Hatchery produced seed and low input green water systems can support profitable, environmentally friendly pearlspot farming.
#6 Chanos chanos milkfish
Milkfish Chanos chanos is a hardy, herbivorous to omnivorous fish that thrives in warm, shallow brackishwater ponds along the Indian coast. It can utilise natural plankton and benthic algae efficiently, which allows farmers to rely on fertilisation and moderate supplementary feeding. Milkfish tolerates a very wide salinity range and is resistant to many common diseases, making it a good choice for low risk farming. The fish has a good feed conversion ratio and yields can be high under semi intensive management. Domestic markets are growing steadily, and there is also potential for export in processed form.
#7 Grey mullets Mugil cephalus and related species
Grey mullets such as Mugil cephalus and related species are time tested candidates for brackishwater ponds, tidal creeks and salt pan areas in India. Mullets are detritus feeders that thrive on organic matter, microalgae and benthic organisms, which keeps feed costs low. They are excellent for polyculture with shrimp, crabs or milkfish, because they help recycle nutrients and improve pond bottom conditions. Seed can be collected from the wild or produced in hatcheries, and stocking densities are generally moderate. Mullets have firm flesh, steady demand in coastal markets and provide reliable yields under careful pond management.
#8 Brackishwater tolerant tilapia
Brackishwater tolerant tilapia strains, mainly of the genus Oreochromis, are increasingly used in coastal ponds and small reservoirs close to the sea. Tilapia grow rapidly, accept pelleted feeds readily and can be stocked at relatively high densities with proper aeration. They tolerate moderate salinity and water quality fluctuations better than many carps, which suits resource limited farmers. Tilapia meat is white, mild flavoured and widely accepted by consumers in urban markets. Farmers must follow government regulations on species and stocking, use approved strains and maintain strict pond biosecurity to prevent unwanted escape and uncontrolled breeding in open waters.
#9 Epinephelus coioides and other groupers
Groupers such as Epinephelus coioides are premium marine fishes that can be cultured in coastal cages and high salinity ponds along the Indian coastline. They have rich, tasty flesh and command very high prices in live and chilled seafood markets, especially in hotels and export oriented chains. Groupers are carnivorous and require high protein feeds or low cost trash fish, so feed planning is critical for profitability. Seed supply from hatcheries is improving but still limited in some regions. Farmers need strong technical support, good cage sites, protection from storms and assured buyers for regular harvest volumes.
#10 Rachycentron canadum cobia
Cobia Rachycentron canadum is an emerging coastal cage farming species in India, suitable for deeper, well flushed marine sites with good water exchange. Cobia grows extremely fast, often reaching several kilograms within a year when fed high quality floating pellets. The fish has excellent fillet yield and firm flesh that appeals to domestic and export buyers. Juvenile seed are produced in specialised hatcheries and transported to cage farms for on growing. Successful cobia culture requires careful site selection, strong mooring systems, regular health checks and organised marketing so that large harvests can be sold profitably and efficiently.