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The current study was carried out to compare the hydrobiological characteristics of a selected shrimp farm in district Ratnagiri taking pond size, stocking density and culture practices into consideration. For sampling, four earthen and four high-density polyethylene (HDPE) ponds were chosen. Most of the water parameters showed significant difference with respect to different types of ponds (earthen and HDPE) viz. temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity and net primary productivity (NPP) of both crops (p<0.05). First crop showed significant difference among all water parameters except biochemical oxygen demand (p<0.05). Second crop (January-May) showed significant difference (p<0.05) among all parameters except hardness, ammonia, nitrite, gross primary productivity (GPP) and community respiration (CR). Phytoplankton showed significant difference (p<0.05) with respect to different types of ponds for both crops and zooplankton showed significant differences (p<0.05) only during first crop. Results indicated that high-density polyethylene (HDPE) ponds have greater consistency in water quality characteristics than earthen ponds, which could contribute to enhanced shrimp growth and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...