Macrobrachium nipponense is one of China's most important freshwater aquaculture species, with welfare challenges from aggressive intraspecific behaviour, disease, and harvest practices.
Oriental river prawn welfare in Chinese intensive systems is challenged by the species naturally aggressive intraspecific behaviour, which causes chronic injury and stress at commercial densities. Heavy male prawns establish dominance hierarchies through aggressive encounters that injure subordinate individuals. White spot disease outbreaks cause haemolymph disruption and death over 3-7 days, representing significant suffering at enormous scale given the production volumes involved. Biosecurity improvements that prevent WSSV introduction simultaneously improve production outcomes and welfare, aligning commercial and welfare incentives in this important species.