Penaeid larval development is among the most complicated processes in decapods.
Penaeid shrimp have three planktonic larval stages, nauplius, protozoea, and mysis, each
with a number of instars, and then metamorphosis into postlarva. A gradual shift from planktonic to benthonic behavior occurs during the first 2 weeks of postlarval life while
shrimp migrate to shallow inshore, brackish nursery grounds in estuaries, accompanied
by changes in their feeding habits