Changes in metabolite levels in hemolymph and hepatopancreas were used as indicators of physiological status of juvenile wild and cultivated Farfantepenaeus duorarum (Burkenroad, 1939), during hyper-osmoregulatory conditions (salinity 22 ppt, 726 mOsm/kg). We analyzed the relationship between biochemical changes of wild and cultivated shrimp at different molt stages by measurement of osmotic capacity, hemocyanin, acylglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, glycogen and total protein. Biochemical analyses of hemolymph (blood) and hepatopancreas showed a decreasing trend in stages closer to molt and an increasing trend before intermolt. Osmotic capacity and blood proteins indicated a significant effect of the molt stage. Stages A, D1′ and D1′″ showed the greatest effect on the biochemical variables. Higher hemocyanin, cholesterol and glycogen concentrations were observed in wild shrimp than in cultivated shrimp. The effect of the molt cycle was associated with changes in cyclic ions and water balance that produced chemical changes in the hemolymph in both wild and cultivated.