No abstract

The growth of hatchery produced Portunus pelagicus crabs was monitored under laboratory conditions by recording growth at each moult from the 1 st crab instar onwards. Male and female crabs attained sexual maturity by their 12 th and 14 th moult, respectively. The experiment lasted for 455 days when the last crab died. This paper describes the growth of male and female crabs in each moulting stage, with details of their carapace width and length, chelar length and height, abdominal width and length, and total weight. Moulting frequency, secondary sexual characteristics, and moult increments were also monitored.

No abstract