Growth performance of mud crab juveniles Scylla olivacea and S. tranquebarica in the brackishwater pond and their molting increment from immature to mature stages in captivity
Muhammad N. Syafaat, Khor Waiho, Gunarto, Mhd Ikhwanuddin

1Higher Institution Center of Excelence (HiCOE) Institute of Tropical Aquaculture (AKUATROP), University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
2National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Mud crabs, Scylla olivacea (SO) and S.tranquebarica (ST) are frequently found in the same habitat in the river of estuaries, so both are viable candidates for cultivation in brackishwater ponds. The current study findings are expected to serve as the foundation for identifying species that are better suited for pond rearing based on growth performance criteria. This study tried to compare the growth performance of SO and ST crablet (carapace width 1cm) in the earthen pond and their female molting increment from immature to mature stages in captivity. The results showed ST had a better growth rate than SO based on the results of growth sampling in the first, second, and third months (P<0.05). The carapace width and average weight obtained in the third month for SO and ST were 82.82mm/103.46g and 90.57mm/131.03g respectively. The averages of the molting increment from immature to mature stages of SO and ST were 15.95% SD2.36 and 14.40% SD3.11 respectively, and the results did not show a significant difference (P>0.05). The results of this study can be considered when choosing a candidate species of mud crab that has a better growth performance in the brackishwater pond, namely S. tranquebarica although the percentage of molting increment of both species from immature to mature stages is same.

Keywords: Mud crab juveniles, Growout, Aquaculture, Brackishwater pond, Molting increment

Topic: Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries