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the mud crab, Scylla serrata, is identified as a potential candidate species for commercial aquaculture in India and many South-east Asian countries. S. serrata ...
Effect of formulated feed on growth, survival and fatty acid composition of mud crab, Scylla serrata, reared in mangrove ecosystem J. Syama Dayal , C.P. Balasubramanian, K. Ambasankar, R. Jannathulla, E. Amala Clare and R. Yuvapushpa 1

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture 75, Santhome High Road, RA Puram, Chennai - 600 028, India

Introduction  The mud crab, Scylla serrata, is identified as a potential candidate species for commercial aquaculture in India and many South-East Asian countries.

 The crabs were fed either with trash fish or formulated pellet feed (40% crude protein and 7.2% crude fat) with three replicates for each.

 S. serrata is a large portunid crab that is common in estuaries and mangrove swamps in the Indo-Pacific region.  The expansion of extensive and semi-intensive pond production has been mostly based on stocking of wild-caught juveniles.  The indiscriminate exploitation of juvenile crabs for stocking in the production system threatens the survival of mud crab aquaculture and fishery as well.  Hence the utilization of hatchery produced crabs is a sustainable option and the development of formulated feed is the essential pre-requisite for the success of any aquaculture operation.

Fig 1. Hatchery produced crablets stocked

Fig 2. Button sized crablets

Objective  To evaluate the effect of formulated feed on growth, survival and fatty acid profile of hatchery produced mud crabs.  To compare the fatty acid profile of aquacultured crabs with the wild mud crabs of similar size

Materials and Methods  Hatchery produced crablets were nursery reared ((21.06 ±3.3 g) at Muttukadu Experimental Station (MES) of CIBA.  These juveniles were transported to the experimental site at Sorlagondi, Nagayalanka Mandal, Krishna District (15o51” N; 80o58” E).  Pre-grow out culture demonstration was conducted in mangrove based ponds in six pens (125 m2 each) at a stocking density of 0.68 m2.

Fig 3. Initial Sampling

Fig 4. Sampling during culture

RESULTS At the end of 105-day culture period the crabs fed with trash fish had significantly (P