Morfow Nkeze Paul1, , Benedicta Oshuware Mbu Oben2, Friday Elijah Osho3, Nor Azman Kasan1*
1) Higher Institution Centre of Excellent (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
2 Department of Animal Sciences, University of Buea, Republic of Cameroon
3 Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan
Corresponding author: norazman@umt.edu.my
Abstract
This study investigated the growth performance, survival, and water quality variations in Gladiator swimming crab (Callinectes sp.) aquaculture across three different systems: Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) with ultraviolet filter (System A), RAS without ultraviolet filter (System B), and a flow-through system (System C). Initial growth performance assessments showed a uniform average initial weight of 1.63 g across all systems. After six weeks, significant differences in final weight, carapace length, and width were observed among the systems (p<0.05). Crabs in System C exhibited the highest growth performance, achieving a final average weight of 16.45 ± 0.58 g, a Specific Growth Rate (SGR) of 35.50 ± 1.0%, and carapace measurements of 31.45 ± 1.34 mm in length and 52.40 ± 0.93 mm in width. Statistical analyses revealed strong correlations between water quality parameters and growth performance metrics, with ammonia nitrogen concentrations showing a significant relationship with specific growth rate and weight gain. These findings highlight the importance of optimized water quality management and appropriate feeding strategies in enhancing the growth and survival of Gladiator swimming crabs in aquaculture systems. The study concluded that flow-through systems offer the most favourable environment for C. pallidus growth, particularly when combined with trash fish feeding. These results can inform future aquaculture practices and contribute to the sustainable production of Gladiator swimming crab in tropical regions.
Keywords: Advanced technology; trash fish; Ultra violet filter; production systems; crab aquaculture.