Nursery Culture of Mud Crab, Genus Scylla, a Review: The Current Progress and Future Directions

Abstract

This study attempted to explain the definition, objectives, and key stages in mud crab nursery activities. The nursery stages of Scylla spp was started from megalopa stage to several crablet instar stages or started from earlier crablet stage to several crablet stages. Direct stocking of megalopa into ponds is not recommended due to their sensitivity. Instead, nursery rearing is needed to produce mud crab of larger size before stocking. Individual nursery rearing results in higher survival rate (up to 100%), but with reduced growth rate, and a more complicated maintenance process compared with communal rearing. Nursery of mud crab can be done indoors, or outdoors, with adequate shelter and feed required to obtain good survival and growth performance. Artemia nauplii are the main, established nursery feed, particularly at megalopa stage, while survival rate may be improved if combined with artificial feed, such as micro bound diet formulations. Water quality parameters, identical to those proposed in tiger shrimp culture, can followed. Crablets may be transported to the pond location with, or without water. The provision of monosex seeds from mud crab hatcheries is expected to become more common, increasing seed price, and thus improving income of farmers. Numerous aspects of mud crab nursery, including nutrition, feeding strategies, understanding of their behaviour, i.e., cannibalism, control of environmental factors, and practical rearing techniques, still need further improvement.

Enhancement of protein, lipid and fatty acids in copepod, Oithona rigida for the improvement of growth, development and survival of early‐stage mud crab larvae ( Scylla olivacea )

“…High mortality in the mud crab hatchery, particularly in steady changes purportedly linked to the diet, given the volume and nutritional composition (Syafaat et al, 2019). Primarily, zooplanktons are widely used as live food for crustacean larvae as they have a vital connection with food system bases to the larger consumers (Rasdi et al, 2020; Syafaat et al, 2021). Live food organisms contain all nutrients and are popularly regarded as “living nutritious capsule” (Manickam et al, 2020).…”