Domestication, Growth Performance and Length-weight Relationship of Land Crab (Cardisoma Armatum) Fed With Compounded Feeds of Plant and Animal Proteins

Abstract

Preliminary research on domestication of the mangrove fisheries resources especially those with high aquaculture potentials are mandatory as a requirement for aquaculture activities to ensure sustainability. This study evaluates possible domestication, growth performance and Length-weight relationship of Land crab (Cardisoma armatum) crablets reared for twelve (12) weeks, fed with complete (control), animal based and plant based compounded diets. The study was carried out at the Hatchery unit of Lagos State University Fish Farm. Sixty (60) graded sizes and mixed sex of Cardisoma armatum crablets weighing 22g- 24g were sourced from the wild and stocked at the rate of ten C. armatum crabs in three treatments and 3 replicates units. From the result of this study, the final weights obtained were 46.10 ± 0.10g for crabs fed (complete based diet), 38.92 + 0.15g (animal based diet) and 47.84 ± 0.18g (plant based diet). The result obtained from this study indicated that crablets fed with animal based diet had better growth rate in terms of weight gained and food conversion ratio. The results obtained for length-weight relationship of the crab samples in u study was negative allometric growth pattern (b < 3). However, the results for condition factor of females, male and combined sexes are greater than 1. Formulated diet of plants and animal source is hereby recommended to be used in feeding C. armatum. Further study on rearing of C. armatum in captivity is hereby advised to increase food security and sustainability.