The 2013 global farmed shrimp production totalled 4.3 million tons, whereas the production of Litopenaeus vannamei as non‐native species represented the 64% of that amount. The risks of introducing non‐native or exotic species are a growing environmental concern. Therefore, the objective of this study was to discuss updated information about the introduction of non‐native species and to evaluate the efficiency indicators of non‐native species in contrast to native ones. The results of a systematic revision of the publications about shrimp farming are presented, comparing the zootechnical performance of native and non‐native species, with the use of meta‐analysis tools. The conducted search returned 4680 results, corresponding to the articles that included one of the criteria previously established by the present work. Seven publications, which included 22 studies, met the requirements for the meta‐analysis. The effect size calculated was positive, meaning that, according to the considered data, the use of non‐native species resulted generally in higher values of growth rate in relation to the native species observed. Other aspects like the emergence and dissemination of the main viral diseases affecting global shrimp farming were also revised. We conclude that, although the advantages of using non‐native species, especially L. vannamei, over native species are clear, there are enough compelling evidences to support the viability of small‐scale native species farming. We also discussed why big companies, governments and associations related to the production and commerce of farmed shrimp should finance and support the development of native species farming.

To compare the zootechnical performance of the Brazilian native shrimp Penaeus schmitti and the exotic shrimp Penaeus vannamei, juveniles were grown under controlled conditions. Both species were simultaneously cultivated (monoculture) in separate 70 L plastic tanks at two different densities: 30 and 50 ind m-2. Also, in the other two treatments, both species were cultivated together (mixed), with and without feeding, at 30 ind m-2. During the experiment, P. vannamei generally showed a greater interest in food and voracity than P. schmitti. At harvest, for both stocking densities of monoculture treatments, the mean growth rate observed for P. vannamei was 1.0 g week-1, while P. schmitti achieved only 0.1 g week-1. The mean final weight was 10.4 ± 2.0 g; 10.7 ± 2.1 g for P. vannamei and 2.8 ± 0.3 g; 3.2 ± 0.3 g for P. schmitti, for respective densities of 50 and 30 ind m-2. In the mixed treatment with feeding, while P. vannamei reached 11.9 ± 1.4 g, P. schmitti reached only 2.6 ± 0.4 g in the same tank. The observed differences were 3.7 and 3.4 higher in favor of P. vannamei in the monoculture treatment, and up 4.5 times higher in the mixed treatment. Under strict fasting conditions, both species practiced predation/cannibalism among themselves. The results reflected the zootechnical advantages of P. vannamei, but also corroborated the negative effect that high densities and lack of natural food can exert over native species. The potential for P. schmitti cultivation and the possible impact of the escape of P. vannamei into the natural environment is discussed.