Training Manu

Mud Crab Breeding and Culture

CENTWL fNSTfTUTE OF BRACKISHWATER AQtiAClfLTURE

(Indian Council af Agrtcufural Research)
75. Saothomtl High Road, Raja Annarnalaipuiarn
CMnrrai - 60Q0263

CONTENTS

SI.

No.

Titk

Autbor

Biology and fishery of mud crahs

-,

Site selection for mud crab hatchery and

fanning
Designing and construction of hatchery.
ponds, pens and cages for mud crah farming
Culture and utiliution of live feed for mud
crab seed production
Captive hroodstock development and lan,nl
rearing of mud crahs
Nursery rearing in seed production of
Mudcrahs

10
II
12

-"

"-

Mud crah growth out culture

h4ud crah production, marketing and
economics
Development of artificial Seed for fattening end
grow-out culture of mudcrabs
Diseaus in mud crabs
Inter-relationship hetween environment and
mud crab culture
Mud crab farming as e tool to uplifi the
economic status of brnckishwater farmers

-..------

Page
No.

S. Kulatekarapandian and
A. Panigrahi

M.Jaynnthi

10

P. Nile Rekha

30

C . Gopal

41

C.1'. Halasuhriimanian

60

S. Kulaseknrapcmdian and
A . Paniprehi
('.IB. Ralusubrtin~aniannnd
S.Kuluseknropandian

78
85

S.M. F'illai

97

K.A m b a m k a r

103

M. Pmmima

112

K.K. Krishnani

122

H.Shanthi

127

BIOLOGY AND FISHERY OF MUD CRABS

S. Kulasekaraplndhm and A. Panigrabi

Ctntnrl Institute of Bnckisbwater Aquaculture, Cbennai.

Introduction
Among the marine edible crustaceans, crabs occupy third position by virtue of its
delicacy, demand and price. the first two being shrimps and lobsters. Among the 990 species of
marine crabs, 34 species are growing to larger size and hence they fetch a higher price. Most of
the commercially important crabs belonged to the family Portunidae and they can be recognized
by the presence of flattened last pair of legs, which help them in swimming in the columnar

Haters. Species belonging to genera Scylla, Portunus and Chaq-bdiswhich grow.to 0.2 to 2.3 kg
are considered as commercially important portunid crabs as they are utilized for both local

consumption and export trade.

Mud crabs as commercially important crabs

Mud crabs stand first in the context of both capture and culture fisheries due to their
larger size, great demand and higher price.

A total of 3,500 tonnes (2,500 tonnes from

brackishwater and 1000 tonnes from marine region) of mud crabs are caught annually from
India. Mud crab is one of the components in the traditional fish/shrimp farming system of Indian
and Southeast Asian countries. In traditional paddycum-fish/shrimp farming of Kerala and
Wen Bengal, considerable quantities of mud crabs are caught during the final harvest. Due to
their great demand, monoculture of mud crabs is being practiced in most of the Southeast Asian
countries. These mud crabs do have a remarkable habit of remaining alive after capture for
considerable time, say 5 to 8 days. This could be possible because of possession of larger gills
which enabled to hold enonnous amount of moistwe, thus helping to continue respiration and
remain alive. Since 1987, live mud crabs (Scylla spp.) are exported to an extent of 1500 tonncs
annually, valued at Rs. 30 crores. The present account deals with the biology and fishery of mud

crabs.

Mud c n b spacia p m n t in India

The species identification and their nomenclature in mud crabs is a controversial
subject. In the genus Scylla, Au-stralians and Philippinos recognized four species, namely Scylla
serruta, S. tranquebarica, S, olivacea and S. paramamsain. However, there arc only two
species of mud crabs belonging to the genus Scylla occurring in most of the Indian brackishwater
areas and inshore seas. Among these two species, one species grows to a maximum size of 2.3 kg
and is called as Scq)llatranquebarica. The other species which attains a maximum size of 0.7 kg
is known as Scyllu serrata in India though a confusion exists in its nomenclature as S. serruta.
We can distinguish these two Indian species with certain morphological characters. The larger
species (Sc~dlutrunqucbarica) is characterized by the presence of polygonal markings on
chelipcds, walking and swimming legs. Further, the wrist of chelipeds possesses two spines on
outer margin. The smaller species (Scylla serrara) do not possess polygonal marking on my of
its lcgs and there is one blunt spine on the outer margin of wrist of chelipeds. Though both the

spccies co-exist in the same habitat, they differ in habits. The larger species remains buried under
sand or mud. while the smaller species makes a deep burrow either at the bottom of estuary or in
earthen bunds of cmals/ponds. This differential habits make them more abundance in specified
habitats. For example, the larger species is more abundant in the open inshore seashackwaters
and coastal lakes, while the smaller species is more in number in mangrove areas. A brief
account on their identification, biology, exploitation and utilization in brackishwater aquaculture
are given below.
Vernacular names:
Mud crabs an known as:
"Khadapi chimbori" in Marathi,
"Patcha nandu" in Malayalarn,
"Kuzhi nandu" or " Kattu nandu" or "Kora valai nandu" in Tamil,
"Pita" or "Manda peeta" in Telugu,
"Chilka kankada" in Oriya and
"Nona kankara" or "Sarnudra kakra" in Bengali.

IDENTIFICATION
Both the species can be identified in the field by virtue of their morphological and colour
features as given in Fig. 1 A & B.

Yolygonrl markings
all limbs

011

e spine on the outrr nrargin

of wriqt of chtlipcd~

Fig.1. A hrger specks - Scyllo tmnquebarka; B. Smaller speciea - Scylla serrafa.

Larger species
Scylln ~ n q u e b a r i c n
hurics under the sandlmud

and remains inst

Fig. 2. Habitat preference by two species of Scylla.

Adults are found both in the inshore seas and estuarine system. Being a member
of the family Portunidae of brachyuran crabs, the mud crabs possess a pair of paddle-shaped

swimming legs, which help them for fast swimming in the columnar waters. Mud crabs in their
megalope stage (postlarva) migrate into the estuaries, coastal lagoons and backwaters, grow fast,
attain maturity and females become berried. For hatching of the larvae, the female mud crabs
emigrate to inshore seas. Though both the species bury under the sandy or muddy bottom, the
adults of smaller species (S.serrata) arc found inside the holes made in the bottom or the banks
of estuary or the dykes of culture fields (Fig. 2). Hence, S. senora is the most common among
the mangrove environs. The larger species (S. tranquebarica) is a nomadic, preferring open

areas of estuaries.

Both immature and mature m'ales of mud crabs have a slender and triangular shaped
abdominal flap on ventral side of the body (Fig. 3 A), while the immature females have a broad

and triangular shaped abdominal flap (Fig. 3 B) and the matured females with a semicircular
shaped flap (Fig. 3 C).

Fig. 3. Sex identification based on the shape of abdominal flap

(A: Male; B: Mature Female and C: Immature female)

The size-frequency studies indicated that inale and female of mud crabs grew at rate of
9 and 10 mm in CW per month respectively. The larger species (S. tranquebarica) attained a

maximum size of 220 mrnt2.4 kg and the smaller species (S, serrata) 140 mmJ0.7 kg in the wild.
In the experimental tield culture. the early juvenile mud crabs (I 5 to 60 mm in CWt3 to 20 g in
total weight-TW) grew at a rate of 7 to 12 mmt3 to 13 g per month, while juvenile crabs (61 to
80 mm/25 to 70 g) exhibited a monthly growth of l l to 12 mrn145 to 97 g. In the sub-adult and

adult stages, the monthly growth worked out to 8 to 10 mrn/100 to 130 g.

Food andfeeding habits:

Remnants of crustaceans, molluscs, fish and plants and detritus form as food materaials
in the natural environment. Mud crabs are omnivorous feeders and feed voraciously on fish in

Karwar waters and on crustaceans in the Cochin backwaters, Ennote estuary, Lake Pulicat and
Hooghly-Matlah estuarine systern. In the Cochin backwaters, the crustacean component
consisted of the remains of a burrowing and slow-moving pinnotherid crab (Xenophthalmus
garthii), an easy prey for the mud crabs. Laboratory experiments have shown that mud crabs

cannot catch fasq-moving prey like live shrimps. Hence, polyculturt of tiger shrimp ( P e w u s
monodon) and mud crabs is practised in Taiwan and India.
Infestation with parasites

The acorn barnacles are found attached over the carapace, walking legs and chelipeds
of adult mud crabs caught from the sea, while the goose barnacles (cimpeds) are known to infect
the gill regions of the crabs collected From estuarine and marine regions.
Maturation

I h e stages of sexual maturity in mud crabs are summarised as follows.

.
.- - - - --- -~ t a l e [
Testes
Ova ry

Immature

'Transparentjcreamy in colour;
occupying less than 1 / 6of
~
body cavity;
without a prominent vas deferens
-------Maturing
Creamy white in ~ l o u r ;
114~body cavity
Occupying
-- -Milky white in ~ l o u r ;
with a thick vas deferens;
occupying full body cavity
--""

T-

Transparent/yellowish in colour;
I
occupying 1 /6" of body
cavity;
withoul a prominent seminal receptacle
Pink in colour;
occupying 114" or 113'~
of body cavity
Orange in colour;
with a prominent seminal receptacle;
occupying full body cavity

Size at maturity

The size at first maturity for females of two species of mud crabs recorded by several
authors is given below.

Fecundity
The number of eggs found attached to the pleopods of female mud crabs varied with
reference to species and its size. Female mud crabs of southwest coast of lndia are reported to
have 0.3 to 0.5 million eggs, attached in the pleopods while the attachment is with 0.6 to 1.4
million eggs in mud crabs of the Cochin backwater. Eggs amounting to 2.5 to 7.0 million are
reported for S oceanica (= S. ~anquebarica)from Cochin backwater and from 0.05 to 2.0
million in Karwar. Experiments on captive broodstock and that on induction of maturity
indicated that fecundity is 2.0 to 5.0 million eggs in the case of S. rranqueharica and 1.0 to 3.0
million for S. serrata.
Breeding .season:

Mud crab is able to breed throughout the year. The peak breeding season in selected
areas are presented helow.
--- -- -----

Locality

- - -

Period

Southwest coast of Throughout the year

lndia
K a m ar
Throughout the year

-- .

- ---.
-- - -. .- Peak season
*-

---

September-February
December-March & September-November

Tuticorin coast

Throughout the year

April-July

Lake Pulicat

Throughout the year

March-April & September-October

Kakinada region

Throughout the year

May-June & October-Febmary

EXPLOITATION
Fishing crafts and gears

The crafts, commonly used for mud crab fishing, arc plank-built boat, dug-out canoe,
out-triggered canoe, catamaran and mechanised trawler. Mud crabs are extensively caught from
the marine sector by both indigenous (gill net, boat seine, shore wine, seine net, cast net, hoop
net, line with bait, pair of tongs, iron rods, scoop net and hooked iron rods) and mechaniscd
(trawl net) gears. In the major and minor brackishwater areas of the main land and the bays and
creeks of Andarnan and Nicobar Islands indigenous gears such as gill net, line with bait, stake
net, drag net, scoop net, cast net, bamboo pot, bamboo trap, hooked iron or steel rods and hand
picking are employed.

Catches

On an annual average, 4,111 tonms of mud crabs (1,4 10 tonne Erom marine and 2,701
tonnes from estuarine sectors) were landed during 1981-98.
Catches from the marine sector

Among the commercially important crustaceans (penaeid and non-penaeid shrimps,

lobsters, crabs and stomatopods) exploited from the inshore seas, crabs accounted for 8 % of the
total crustacean landings. The mud crabs formed about 5 % in the total crab landings.

Catches from the estuarine sector

Gulf of Kutch, Narmada & Tapti estuaries in Gujarat, Mandovi & Zuari estuaries in
(ioa. Kali and Nethravati estuaries in Karnataka, Vembanad backwaters and Korapuzha estuaq

in Kcrala, Lake Pulicat, Kovalam backwaters, and Vellar-Coleroon estuaries in Tamil Nadu,

(idavari-Krishna estuaries in Andhra Pradesh, Lake Chilka and Mahanadi estuary in Orissa and
Hooghly-Matlah estuarine system in West Bengal arc the important areas from where mud crabs
are landing under estuarine and inland sectors.
Mud crab contribution in traditional brackishwater farming in India
In the seasonal and perennial fish culture fields in the brackishwater areas of Kerala and

West Bengal. young mud crabs enter into the fields through the sluice along with a variety of fish
and shrimps, grow fast and attain larger size. The recruitment of crab/fish/shrimp into the fields
is a continuous process occumng throughout the year. As these fields do not have net fencing.
mud crabs of assorted sizes either Freely move out or enter into these fields and smaller species
escape from these fields by making holes in earthen banks. Though few number of crabs are
caught in the periodical harvest, considerable number of mud crabs are caught in the final
harvest of seasonal fields. A continuous fishing of mud crabs by special gears such as bamboo
traps and lift nets is done in the perennial fields. Generally, the income generated by sale of mud
crabs meets the expenses of periodical harvest of fishtshrimps.

UTILIZATION
Marketing
Generally the mud crabs are sold in live condition. The first pair of largest legs (chelate
legs) of each live crab arc firmly tied up with the body by jute/nylon thread to curb their
movement and to avoid the fighting among them. The bulk of the catch is usually packed in
baskets. Wet seaweed is used in the baskets to keep the live crab cool and moist. The basketpacked crabs are transported fiom remote fishing villages to the major cities by road or rail and
sold through the middlemen to retailers.
Export

The live mud crab export from India has started in 1987-88 and expofled mostly to
Soutl~castAsian countries. Thc live crabs are packcd in pcrforotetl carton boxes lined with

thermocole sheets and air-lifted from Chennai and Kolkata.

SlTE SELECTION FOR MUD CRAB HATCHERY AND FARMING

MJayantbi, P.Ravicbandna, C.P.Bahubnmanhrn and S. Kukrrckaropandhn
Ceat n l Institute of Bmclrisbwclter Aqaacnitare, C b e n ~ i

Aquaculture has developed quickly over the last three decades to turn into important
economic activity world wide. It has been attracting heavy investment due to the availability of
sound technologies and limitless potential for export especially shrimp. Globally, Landings fiom
worldwide aquaculture has increased 10-15 % per year in the last two decades and this growth
was due to the combined effects of scientific farming, availability of infrastructure facilities.
changing consumer preferences and export market potential to developed countries. There art
several forecasts on demand for aquatic foods and it is expected that it will be 183 million tonnes
by 2030, As the capture fishery production is stagnating at around 90 million tonnes

aquaculture is seen as the only alternative to bridge the widening gap in demand and supply.
Cilobully, pressure on coastal and marine resources have increased in the past years due
to development and deteriorating water quality. Development of aquaculture has raised man!
environmental issues such as conversion of mangroves, conversion of agricultural lands and
water bodies, salinintion of drinking water resources and agricultural lands adjacent t(
aquaculture farm Its impressive growth has also often accompanied by significant failures anc
environmental issues. World public attention has been drawn to the crisis in world fisheries.
highlighted by collapses and conflicts over resources in the developed world including sector
competition, trade restrictions, over capitalization and concerns over environmental impacts.
To overcome these problems while maximizing aquaculture production, needs
comprehensive development planning based on the evaluation of water, land and humar
resources and interpretation of environmental and s o c i ~ n o m i constraints.
c
Therefore, there is

a need for an approach, which can be used to rapidly identify areas of a country, a state of
smaller units, suitable for various aquaculture activities as an aid to development planning.

Status of awilrbk resources

India, by virtue of its 81 18 km long coastline, 2.02 million sq. km of Exclusive

Economic Zone (EEZ)and extensive geographical stretch with varied terrain and climate,
supports a wide diversity of inland and coastal wetland habitats. It has been estimated that there
is 3.9 million ha of brackishwater areas in the country. Out of this, 1.2 million ha of coastal areas
has been identified as suitable for brackishwater aquaculture.
Aquaculture developed at a rapid pace during the nineties, particularly in East Coast
states such as Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Tamil Nadu. Despite the equal thrust given to all
states, shrimp farming did not develop in West Coast states like Gujarat and Maharashtra (Table
1). There is a vast potential still available for further development (Table 1) Due to the
environmental issues, aquaculture has been regulated with the enactment of Coastal Aquaculture
Authority (CAA) Act 9005. Under this act, CAA was established and empowered to regulate
coastal aquaculture hy regulating aquaculture development.
Table 1. Status of coastal land resources availability and its utilization

State

Tamil Nadu
Andhra Pradesh
West Benpal
Orissa
Pondicheny
East Const
, Kerala
Karnataka
Goa

Maharashtra
Gujarat
, West Cout
Andamanand
N icobar Island
Total

Area
developed for
aquaculture
(ha)
- 6.248
84,95 1
50,405
13,400
144
1,55,004
14,875
1,945
340
1,135
2,37 1
20,666

Coastal
length
(km)

Continental Potential
shelf
brackishwater
area (ha)
(Sq.km)

1076
974
158
480
45

41412
275068
17000
26000

56,000
1,50,000
4,05.000
3 1,600
800

2733

359480

6,43,400

590
300
104
720
1600
3341
1912

40000
27000

65,000
8000
18,500
80,000
3,76,000

8006

1 loo00
184000
361000

35000

-5,47300
11,!W,ooO

1,75,674

Area
developed as
% of available
potential
10.90
56.63
12.44
42.40
16,OO
24.09
22.88
24.3 1
1.84
1.42
0.63
3.77
14.75

The advantages of having long coastal line with unlimited rtsources have not been fully
utilized and t h m is still tremendous potential for further development. With the resources, site
selection has to be carried out in such way that it adhms to the regulation and also fulfil the
requirement of the species to be grown. Planning for sustainable aquaculture development and
formulation of master plan requires, adhering to CAA guidelines, Environment Impact
Assessment (EIA), integrating aquaculturr with coastal zone management plans and site-specific
designing of farms.
Mud crab aquaculture
Among the brachyuran crabs, two larger portunid species are commonly known as mud
crabs and they support a commercial fishery in Indian estuarine system.

Larger species

txcurring in Indian waters is named as Scylla tranquebarica which attains a maximum size of
2.4 kg. while the s~nallerspecies of mud crab is called as Scylla .serrata, which grows to a

maximum size of 0.7 kg. These two mud crab species migrate from marine environment into
estuaries, backwaters, coastal lagoons and mangrove areas during their post larval stages, where
they grow fast, attain maturity and emigrate to sea for release of larvae. Both the species remain
alive out of water after capture for considerable time and this helps in live crab export trade. The
consumers prefer live mud crabs and there is a niche market for crabs in processed form. (eg:
soA shell crab export). Mud crabs support a sustenance fishery in brackishwater, where they are

exclusively fished by indigenous gears such as gill net, drag net, cast net, line with baits, baited
traps and lift-nets.

In order to conserve and protect the natural stock from overexploitation and to meet
the ever increasing demand for local consumption and export trade, mud crab farming with
hatchery p r o d u d seed will be the best option and as such collection of wild juvenile crab for
farming 1 fattening need to be discouraged. Mud crab fanning is assuming greater importance as
a livelihood option for coastal fisher-folk, working as associations end self-help groups in the
d f m i n g includes nursery
coastal areas. especially after the tsunami devastation. ~ u crab
raring, soft-shell crab rearing, grow-out culture and fattening. Nursery rearing involves the
rearing of megalopa (0.003 gYcrablets (0.03 g) to juveniles in two phases, namely, up to 3 g (in
hapas) and 3 g to 25 g (in nursery ponds). Soft shell crab rearing includes the stocking of

juvenile crabs (50 to 100 g of S. serruta and S. tranquebarica) individually in small plastic
cage till they moult. Grow-out culture refers to farming of nursery r

d juveniles of about 25 g

(seed crabs of S. tranquebarica and S. semta) for a period of 3-6 months to produce marketable

s i d crabs. During this growth period, the crabs undergo several moults (shedding of old
skeleton). Fattening refers to the holding of marketable sized crabs for about 3 to 4 weeks time,
during which period, the stocked crabs a) gain weight in the case of newly moulted crabs of S.
tranquebarica and attain hll development of ovary in the case of adult females of S serruta)..
At present, nursery rearing, soft shell crab rearing, grow-out and fattening is carried out in the

brackishwater ponds while fanrning is practiced in penslnet cages in open backwaters.

Guidelines to regulate the development of mud crab fanning is being framed with emphasis on
environmental safety and social acceptability and to ensure sustainable development of mud
crab farming in the country.
Site selection

Site selection is an important process in farming as it decides the success or failure of

the mud crab farming. It greatly influences economic viability hy determining capital outlay and
affecting running costs, production and mortality. Cage and pen based aquaculture systems suffer

in comparison to land based operators in that there is less room for error in site selection. There
is little that can be done at a cage or pen farm if the site proves too exposed and water exchange
is poor or if water quality deteriorates.
The mandatory guidelines enlisted for shrimp culture for the selection of sites for
coastal farms should be strictly adhered to in the site selection for mud crab pond construction.
Already constructed aquaculture farms along with abandoned shrimp farms are suitable areas for
crab farming.

Initial stage reservoirs of saltpans can be used for mud crab farming without

affecting the saltpan environment. The existing regulatory guidelines include, no new farms to be
established within 200m from high tide line, non-use of agricultural lands and mangroves and
provision of various buffer-zones between different land types such as 100 m from mangroves
and drinking water resources. There are certain references apart from regulatory guidelines for
the selection of farm or site for hatchery.

In addition to the guide lines, there arc o t h a parameters should be addressed. The first
is primarily concerned with the physiochemical conditions that dictate whdher a species can
thrive in an environment (Temperatun, salinity, oxygen, currents, pollution, algal blooms.
exchange). From a welfare perspective, wattr quality, flow rate and temperature should be,
appropriate fro the species concerned. The otha factors that must be considered for site selection
successfully (weather, shelter, depth, substarate) while the third is concerned with the
establishment of a farm and profitability (legal aspects, access, land based facilities, security.
economic and social considerations (Beverdige, 2004).
Environmental conditions for site selection for mud crabs
When selecting a site, the optimum temperature and salinity conditions of the species
should he met since even immediately outside these optima, feeding, food conversion and
growth arc adversely afrectcd. Mud crabs are generally tolerant to wide range of temperature and
salinity. 'They can withstand water temperature 12- 35'~, but their activity and feeding fall
rapidly when temperature is below 2 0 ' ~ . They are able to survive in a salinity range of 2-43 ppt.
Crabs have the ability to exploit the oxygen from the air. Under the severe conditions of'
tlypoxia, they leave the water with deleted oxygen and die. Other parameters include available
source of stocking materials. sufficient supply of cheap trash fish, available storage facilities for
fresh unprocessed feed and secured from poachers. Water of good quality should be adequate all
year round, coming directly from the sea or river. The most desirable range of water quality is
given in Table 2.
Table 2. Optimum water condition required of mud crab culture
Category

Range

Water temperature

23 - 3 2 ' ~

Water salinity

15 30 ppt

DO concentration

24

PH
Water depth (cm)

8.0-8.5
2 80

The sea wata should be sufficient to fill the depth of water to atleast to 60 cm during
high tide line. When drained at the n a p tide, the pond bottom would be exposed completely.
Engineering parameters should be used to determine the pond bottom elevation including the
dike and gate construction.
To prevent the increase in pond water salinity during long summer months, it is
advantageous to have a freshwater source. This will enable the farmer to adjust the salinity to a
level favourable for the growth of mud crabs. Other socio economic factor such as cheap and
skilled labour. market accessibility of construction material and production units as well as law
and order situation in the locality should be considered.
Soil
Silty - clay, clay loam or clayey soil with enough layer of clean mud is appropriate.
These kind of soil can respond well to the biological requirements of mud crabs while moulting
or in their post moult soft stage or while feeding It is also the kind of soil that can retain desirable
water depth for mud crabs.
Criteria for Pen culture in Mangrove areas
Mangrove areas should have sufficient supply of marine or brackishwater throughout
the year. Water depth at high tide should range between 0.3 to 1.0 m. salinity should be ranging
from 10 to 35 ppt and temperature between 25 and 3 0 ' ~ .The site must be free from big waves
and pollution, protected from environmental hazards such as big waves and floods and secure
from vandals and poachers.
Disease

The worst types of site from a disease risk point of view are those in which pathogenic
or potentially pathogenic organisms exist prior to establishments of the farm and those in which
disease organisms are likely to thrive following the establishment of the fann. With regard to the
former, cage fish farms are likely to be more prone to disease than the latter as they exploit
natural water bodies and are thus more exposed to risk.

Todr for site wkctio~

The conventional methods such as manual surveying, collection of secondary data
from the farmers field ar revenue m r d s used for site selection an labour intensive, time
consuming, non-repetitive, inaccessible to remote areas, low in accuracy and not synoptic. It
docs not provide information on the as.w>ciatcd land features of aquaculture farms. Hence, there
is a nced for a mechanism to ga real time data with its associated features for the larger area
asscssrncnt uo that coastal resources can be utilized effectively and would help in arriving
production pcjtential.
Hemotc wnring and <;eogrnphk Information System (CIS)

Kcmorc sensing techniques has emerged as an appropriate tools in providing spatial

~nfonnn~ionhccnuse of its systematic approach in data acquisition through satellites, eas!
allirrrlahility, high letcl of precision and possibility of time series data. (;IS is an integrated
nsscn~hly of' rotnputrr hardware, sofl~wc,geographical data and personnel designed to
cflicicntly acquire, store, manipulate, retrieve, analyse, display and report all forms of
geographically refrcnced information geared towards a particular set of purposes (Burrogh.
1986). (;IS technology integrates common database operations such as query and statistical

nnulysis uith the unique visuali~~ion

and geographic analysis benefits offered by maps. These
abilities distinguish GIS from other information systems and make it valuable to a wide range of
public and private enterprises for explaining events, predicting outcomes, and strategies (ESRI.
1998). Several methods such as classification, simple overlay, and connectivity analysis can he
used either singly or in cornhination. by GIs practitioners to integrate spatial information into
useful format fbr analysis and decision making. There has been histoy of methodologq
dcvclopcd using GIS for the planning and management of aquaculture math et al., 2000).
Remote sensing integrated with GlS can play a major role in sustainable aquaculture
development by providing information on land usdand cover, water qua1ity, productivity, tidal
influence and ccurstal inFrastructure. By using remote sensing technique and GIs, the advantage
is not only in time and cost. effactivzncss hut also in achieving a more comprehensive and
inlegrated pattern of aquaculture development criteria, which is difficult through conventional
techniques.

Figure 1. Delineation of aquaculture farms and unused farms from

Sustainable aquaculture development leads towards increased well being of coastal

communities from the wise use of coastal resources without any land use conflicts or
enbironmental degradation. This ensures local food sccurity coupled with i~icreascdagricultural
production. conservation of mangroves, enhanced fisheries catch etc.
Recent advances in remote sensing and geographic information has led the way for the
development of hyperspectral sensors. Hyperspectral remote sensing, also known as imaging
spectroscopy, is a currently being investigated by researchers and scientists with regard to the
detection and identification of minerals, terrestrial vegetation, and man-made materials and
backgrounds. There are many applications which can take advantage of hyperspectral remote
sensing are geology, ecology, and coastal water. The chlorophyll, phytoplankton, dissolved
organic materials, suspended sediments can be monitorad using remote sensing techniques.
Monitoring Coastal Waters

Satellite remote sensing is an excellent tool for monitoring coastal waters. The great
gain of the digital data is the possibility of multi-spectral and temporal evaluation and accuracy
compared to prolonged field sampling. The concentrations of optically active water constituents
namely chlorophyll, colourcd dissolved organic matter (CDOM)and total suspended solids

(TSS) can be estimated from satellite images by the interpretation of the received radiance at the

sensor at different wavelengths (Gordon and Morel, 1983). The observation of the biological
productivity by satellite data serves as a practicable application for coastal water quality

monitoring. The quantification of optically visible wntcr umstituents in marine and inland watas

can be done with atmospherically corraded muiti spectral remotc d n g data The intnrsion of

.sea water in coastal areas and a s s u c changes

~
on the p n d wata salinity and vulncrabilit!
of thc groundwater salinity in

coastal areas .can be mapped using mndc sensing techniques b!

mapping the surface manifestation of salinity.

Planning for rquacultun

Aquaculture planning and monitoring is inherently spatial, satellite data can be used for
the analysis of hoth qualitative and quantitative data types, identify associations between land
types. and therefore, build a living data&

with exploratory data analysis, interpretative and

aswss thc impact on coastal resources such as mangroves and water bodies. The requirements
cnn he mapped as various layers and the overlay analysis will deliver the suitable sites with
optinrirn~

for thc dcvclopment.

Impact assessment after development

Figure 2: h a d use cbrngu between 1987 2005 in Nellore distirct, A.P.

Problems have arisen because of the lack of understanding of the aquatic environment
and the erratic use of nsources, To apjmpriatcly respond to natural and human-induced stto such important ecosystems, evaluation of impacts on land and water resources will & useful
to finds ways to duct the adverse impacts if any, to shape the project to suit the local

environment. The high resolution temporal satellite data provides the spatial and areal e m t of

chanps and provides the platform for the sustainable development. The changes happened in

land rewms (Figure 2) due to aquaculture development can be assessed through remote
sensing data

Cooclusioa
The advanced spatial technologies have opened up new vistas to utilize our natural wealth in a
sustainable manner. With given trend, spatial tools will provide a range of functions embedded in
various components that can be tailored for the sustainable utilization of coastal resources. It can
support adaptive, real time planning and management approach through regular updating with
time series information based on the well defined user interfaces. Ahsence of the national
framework that coordinates all the spatial database creators and users in a single platform is the
major issue to be addressed 10 prevent the unknown repetition and provide the sustained support
for the sustainable management of coastal resources and aquaculture.
References

Beverige, Malcolm 200.1 Cage aquaculture P.360.

Burrough P.A. (1986) 'Principles of geographical information system for land resources
assessment' , Clarendon press - Oxford pp.6-12
Gorden and A. Morel. 1983. Remote assessment of ocean color for satellite visible imagery. A
r e v i e ~In R. T Barber, C. N. K. Mooers, M.J. Bowman, and B. Zeizschel [cds.), Lecture notes
on coastal and estuarine studies. Springer-Verlag, pp. 1-1 14,

Halstead B.W. (1972) Toxicity of marine organisms caused by pollutants. In: Marine Pollution
and Sea Life (ed. by M. Ruivo), pp.584 -594. Fishing News Books, London, UK.
MPEDA, 2006. Action plan for the development of export oriented aquaculture in Maritime
states of India India
Nath S.S ,John P. Bolte, Lindsay G. Ross and Jose Agulilar Manjanez (2000). Applications of
Geographical information Systems (GIs) for spatial decision support in aquaculture,
Aquoculrurd Engineering, 23: 233-278.

DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF HATCHERY, PONDS, PEN AND

CAGE FOR MUD CRAB FARMING

P. Nih Reba, P. h k L u d r a r u d M. Jayrrtbi

Central Institute 01 Brackisbwrter Aqmrcoltore, Cbeonai.

Aquaculture of the mud crab has been conducted for at least the past 100 years in China
and for the past 30 years throughout Asia. In Jndia the mud crabs have come into prominence
since a r l y eighties with the commencement of live crab export to the South East Asian countries
which have created a renewed interest in the exploitation as well as in the production of mud
crabs through aquaculturc. 7he importance of live mud crabs as an export commodity has
ofcncd up great opportunities for crab farming. It has high demand and price in the export
mnrher. Mud crab is the promising alternative to the shrimp farming in India. by virtue of its

delicacy and demand fbr human consumption It is also preferred for its medicinal value.
Mud crab culture started as lowdensity polycultw with fish or shrimp using wild crab
juveniles has gradually developed to monocultun in ponds, pens and cages. Almost all crab
nquaculture production depends on wildcaught stock, as larval rearing has not yet reached a
commercidly viable level for stocking in aquaculture farms. The major constraint restricting
further expansion of mud crab culture is the limited supply of crab 'seed' for stocking in
enclosures/ponds.Even at the current status of the mud crab culture indushy, quantities of crab
'seeds' caught by fishermen an not sufficient to meet demand (Cowan 1984; Liong 1992). The
seasonal nature of availability of 'seed' crabs compounds the supply problem. In general.
supplies of juvenile crabs for culture arc insufficient to allow any further growth in the present
culture operations. Hatchery production of seed will ensure the sustainability of the culture; Mud
crab farming includes the hatchery seed producing which includes captive broodstock
development larval rearing, nursery rearing and grow-out culture in ponds pens and cages
including crab fattening. All these roquid engineering design considetation especially
appropriate site specific design of facilities viz., hatchery, ponds, pens and cages for rearing of
the mud crabs.

1. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF MUDCRAB HATCHERY

Hatchery design is an important aspect for producing healthy seed and attainment of the
required production target. A requirement of the hatchery design depends on species type,
production aimed and level of financial inputs. Species should be identified before the design
and production target can also be determined basad on market demand and financial capacity. A
basic prerequisite in the design and construction of a hatchery is an understanding of the
biological requirements of the species and the concept of different systems involved in the
hatchery. The common operations in the mud crab hatchery are broodstock maintenance, induced
maturation, spawning. incubation, hatching, larval rearing, live-feed culture (rotifier and brine
shrimp) and post larval rearing.
Infrastructures and accessories required in mud crab hatchery
In designing 3 hntcliery, ample spacc should hc provided for the rearing and suppo~t

facilities needed in the operation. The most important dcsign criteria in seawater based hatcherics
are the materials to be used. Materials. which do not corrode in the salinc environment viz.,
Plastics. PVC, concrete and wood are commonly used. A functional hatchery should have the
following essential components:
Influent water supply system overhead tank reservoir with filtration
Rearing Tanks with aeration (flow through/ recirculation system)
Buildings with necessary accessories
Effluent water treatment system

Influent water distribution system

The first essential resource for the hatchery is a seawater source with salinity range of
28-34 ppt. The water intake may either be from an inshore well or right from the sea, but it is

necessary to tilter large organisms such as fish, jelly fish and silt and mud from the seawater.

These designs arc dependent on specific site draractaistics, topography, geology:

climate etc. Mostly used system of drawing water is through intertidal bore wells or through
inshore open wells. Low depth intertidal bore wells an suitable in areas where the wave action is
minimal. Inshore open wells could be used where the wave action is more in the intenidal zone
and there is no freshwater aquifer in the shoreline. In cast the water from the inshore wells are
low saline due to freshwater table. drawing of water directly from open sea by constructing
cr)ncrctc jetties into thc sea beyond the breaker zone is the best option.
Waler treatment
'Ihe rnost important requirement for a mudcrab hatchery is clean seawater. It is
tticreforu essential to provide facility for watcr treatment in the hatchery depending on the qualit!
01' sourcc writer. If' the water is drawn from the open shore, it will contain suspended particles.

which are to he removed as a first step before any other treatment. Large suspended particles are
easily removed by allowing the water to stand overnight in settling tank by the process of
sedimentation. If the sea water is drawn from intertidal borewells or inshore wells, then the water
will hr. frcc from suspended panicles and no sedimentation is required. The next step in the
trcatmcnt of sea water is the removal of unsettled suspended particles and other living organisms
H'hcn the water is turbid, installation of o filter screen and sand filter unit becomes necessary.
Ihc lilter chamber may he construcled adjoining the holding tank. ?he filtration is done through
sand-gravcl filter which is simple and most practical. Two types of sand- gravel filters are
gerierally used in the hatcheries a. Filtration by gravity and
b. Filtration hy pressure.
A simple gravity filter consists of a wooden or conactt tank with layers of gravel and

sand. The bmvel layer consists of larger layer at the bottom with medium and smaller layen
above it. Similarly. three grades of sand, (coarse to fine) is used above the gravel layen. A
perforated PVC pipe. embedded at the bottom of the gavel layer and extruding out of the tank
acts as the outlet. In gravity filter water is pumped into the filter chamber over the surface of the

fitta bed and allowed to pass through the filter material by gravity to the holding chamber which
is located under the fitter chamba. The coarse suspended particles arc trapped in the sand bed

and the clean water is collected through the outlet at the bottom.
Pressure/ rapid sand fitters use the same principle as that of the gravity filters. The
difference is that the water pesses through the sand and gravel bed through pressure. The filter
housing is made of FRP and is sealed air tight aficr ananging the sand and gravel in position.
The delivery from a pump of required capacity is attached to the inlet of the filter and the filtered
water flows out through the outlet at the same velocity as that of the pumped in water. The
filtering rate is very high and hence it is called as rapid sand filters.
The operation of the filter results in the accumulation of waste materials in the sand
bed. The filtration capacity and rate reduces with such accumulation. Cleaning of the sand bed
becomes essential. Allowing the water to flow in the return direction i.e. entering through the
gravel and flouing out through sand is adapted and provisions for such backwash is given in all
the sand filters.
Sand filtration removes only coarse materials up to 10 micron in size. Further filtration
can be done bq using fibre based cartridge filter. which will remove suspended particles of up to
1 micron in size. The fibre filter is enclosed in a non-corrosive housing. The water is pumped
through the cartridge to the outlet. This could be easily fitted to the water lines. The filtered
water might still contain microorganisms like bacteria, which could cause disease to the larvae.
Hence, it is desirable to disinfect the water hefore use. Several chemicals have been commonly
used for disinfection viz., chlorine, hypchlorite, ozone, etc., The use of UV stcrilisation is also
carried out to disinfect the water.
Recommended concentration of disinfectants in water depends on the level of bacterial
load. The usual range of chlorine dosage is 5-20 ppm of active chlorine. Treatment should last
preferably for 24 hours. Before the seawater is used, the excess chlorine should be neutralized
using sodium thiosulphate.

Pump
The seawater is highly corrosive and hence great can should be takm while selecting
the material by which the pump is made. Rtmps made of cast iron or stainless steel will last
longer in the saline environment. The capacity of the pump to be used depends on the scale.
design and nature of opendion in the hatchery. While calculating the pump capacity, the
following criteria should he takm into account:
i. Total tank capacity of the hatchery,
ii. Maximum water requirement per day and

...

111.

Time limit for watcr exchange in tanks.

iv. From thcsc the maximum water flow rate required and the required horse power of the
purnp could hc calculated.
(hlerhcmd tank
It is for to maintain continuous water supply to the different tanks by gravity flow and

lo avoid thc secondary pumping. The capacity of the overhead tank and its height depend on the

actual writer rcquircd per day, pump capacity and the dimensions of the pipeline.
Reservoirs

'lhey arc used to provide the water needs of the hatchery during times when the pump
is nor in operation or whcn the water demand is much greater than the pump capacity over a
rrlativcly short period and also they are used for the chemical treatment of the seawater. T h e
capacity of the reservoir depends on the nature of operation in the hatchery, pump capacity, the
treatment used and the duration of the treatment.
Pipes and piping system

The pipes of the water supply system should be made of a non-toxic material. The mosr
commonly used material is PVC. The water system is meant to distribute water from the
overhead tanks to each and every section of the hatchery. The pipelines are to be laid in such a
way tha~there are independent inlets for each tank with valve ammganent. Since the pipeline is

to be maintained and repaid regularly, it should be exposed and not concealed in the ground or
concrete or in the wall.

The size of the main line and secondary lints an to be decided based on the height of
the overhead tank and the volume of water required per minute.
Air supply system
A continuous supply of air is required in all the tanks where h d e r crabs and larvae

are maintained, to increase the dissolved oxygen levels. In the hatchery. continuous aeration is

maintained to provide dissolved oxygen required for the biological needs of the larvae and adults
crabs for the stabilization of dissolved organic matter coming from the decomposition of excess
feed and metabolic wastes. A t the same time. it provides sufficient turbulence to maintain a
uniform suspension of both the larvae and the live feed materials.
Air blowers and compressors are the hvo equipments which can provide air. While air
blower provides high volume of air at low pressure, compressor provides low volume of air at
high pressures. Since, a high volume of air at low pressure is required in the hatchery, air
blowers are preferred. Further, the air being discharged by compressor is likely to contain oil
particles, which are harmful to larvae and adults but the air blowers provide oil-free air. The
blower capacity required is calculated based on number of air outlets, the depth of water column
in tanks and the amount of air required per minute from each outlet. The pipe lines used for air
supply, as in the case of water supply, should be made of PVC and polythene. The pipelines
should be laid in such a way that a uniform level of air is distributed in all tanks irrespective of
their location. It is desirable to have exposed air distribution system for easy in maintenance and
repairs. The air delivery into the larval rearing tanks could be either through diffuser stones or
through air-lift pumps
Tanks

Tanks for broodstock maturation, spawning, incuation, larval rearing, nursery rearing
and for holding water should be constructed either by concrete, fiberglass or wood with
dimensions of 0.5 to 1 cubic meter. The number of tanks should depend on the number of larvae

and crablets that art planned to produce.

The material of c o m i m varies from site to sik and on the availability of materials.
Depending on rrdc of opmuion and on planned longevity of thc facilitits, the tanks may be an)
one of the following:
a. Plastic shed lined with aluminium frame : Usually used for small scale operation.

longevity minimal,
h. Fibreglass Reinforced Plastics: Portable. longevity high; can be used for small scale

opcralions.
r. C'oncme hollow b l t ~ k s Cheap
:
and easy to install; Permanent installation; Large-scale
operat ions. and
d. Kcinforccd concretr: Expensive than hollow blocks; permanent installation; large-scale

opemtion.
lunks rnlrde o f concrctc should he coated with cpxy paint to provide smooth interior

surfbcc. This would prevent leaching of harmful chemicals into the tank and discourage the
pro\rlh 01' pathogenic organisms which wuld flourish in the crevices of unpainted surface. All
angled pms of the tank should hc rounded off to facilitate cleaning and minimise 'dead spots' in
thc tank. 'The cc~mmonlluscd shape of tanks is rectangular, circular or oblong. For permanent
installations, whcrc the scale of operation may be expanded from existing facilities. the
rcctangtrlar tanks arc prcfmhlc.

Maturation t a n b :
'fie major constraint is the limited supply of egg-baring or bemed female crabs from

thc wild. Hence. induced niatura~iontechniques can be used to augment the scarcity of berried
female crab supply. 'l'he capcity of maturation tank depends on the number of adult crabs
ncedcd. The shape of maturation tanks can either be circular, rectangular or oval. The tank
capacity may vary fmm 5 to 40 tons with depth ranging From 1.2 to 2 meters. The tank is
installed with an inlct pipe fmm the wall and a double cylinder standpipe at the center for
drainage. These systems facilitate continuous flow-through of sea water. A water capecity of 5 -

10 m' with 1 m e f f i v e water depth is suitable (Fig 1). These tanks can be housed in closed

sheds under darkness to avoid disturbances 6wn human movement.

Fig 1: Circular Brood stock Tank

Incubation tanks:

Incubation tanks should be circular with a flat bottom. Water holding capacity may
vary from 50 liters to 1.5 tons. The tank can be made of fiberglass, Piexiglass, plastic or marine
pljwmd. The tanks are used to temporarily hold the berried female crabs till larval hatching.
Larval and postlarval rearing tanks:

Most of the hatcheries use smaller larval rearing tanks of about 3 tons capacity.
Rotifer culture tanks:

The tanks can be made of fiberglass, polyethylene, marine plywood or concrete. On the
average, the total tank capacity for live food culture is about 2W of the total tank capacity for
larval rearing 1

- 5 m'

capacity depending on the scale of hatchery operation and the daily

requirements. An effective water depth should not be more than 1 m to allow light penetration
through the whole water column. Tanks with the capacities of I-5m3 more suitable for small
xale operations and tanks of higher capacities for large scale operations.

The building should provide s p c for the living quartas of technicians, laboratory, live
f d culwrc (paniculsrly for algae), a f d pepamtion room, a laboratory for water quality and

biological analysis and a packing mom. Pumps and fitaation units in the seaward side and
blowers and gcncrators on thc Landward side should be located in separate buildings. In our
tropical conditions, the h & h q building nced not be totally enclosed. Roofing is necessary to
shield the lwval rearing mks fmm direct sunlight and rain. Walls may be necessary in areas
whcrc there is havy wind The laysut of thc various units of the hatchery should be located in
such il way that t h m is an case of movement, optimal use of water and air supply system.
Ikveic~pmcntsin four key hatchery aspects have lead to improved success:
Hygiene during the egg and larval phase is critical to success through to post-larvae in
rhc Iiatchcry;
Maintenancc of water quality parameters such as temperature. salinity, pH, oxygen and
ammoni:~at optimal levels is v i d ;
I{igt,tllevels of quality live food as well as nutritious particulate diets have to be
supplied to the larvae; and
Kcducc crowding of larvae near the end of the cycle as it can lead to heavy losses due
to cannih~lisni.
Kccirculation water distribution system and implementation of biosecurity protocols in
thc mud croh hatchery would result in assured quality seed and targeted production. Hence care
should bc tAcn in rhc designing stage itself.
Emueat treatmeat system

Considering the nccd for maintaining emuent discharge standards, effluent treatment
systeni shall bc mandatory for all hatcheries. When contaminated water is discharged, into open.
ir is likely to result in envimnmmtal pollution that could be detrimental to the hatchery operation

itself, since intake and discharge points arc ntarby. Therefore, it is necessary to properly treat the
effluents so that the dischrvgbd wacr confonns to mvironmartal W a r d s .
28

2. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF POND

Design coPsidtritioa of r w ~ c m l t a r ecrib ponds

A typical brackishwater pond designed fw the culture of milkfish or shrimp can be used

for the f m i n g of mud crabs.

Fishponds (new or partially developed) with water control structures can be used for as
along as the required water depth of 80- 100cm can be maintained.
The pond a n be tidal fed or pump fed based on the site condition

Soil must be sandy clay or loam with organic matter base and preferably alkaline.
Water of good quality should be adequate all year round, coming directly from the sea or
tidal river. The most desirable ranges for water quality a m : salinity, 10-34ppt; temperature 2330" C , dissolved oxygen, above 3 ppm; and pH 8.0-8.5,

The farmer should consider an area where seawater is sufficient to fill a depth of at least
60 cm during high tide. When drained even at ncap tide, the pond bottom should be exposed

completely. Thus, an engineering expertise is required to determine pond bottom elevation

including dike and sluice gate construction.
To prevent the increase of pond water salinity especially during the long summer months,
it is essential to have a freshwater source, so as to adjust the salinity to a level favourable to the

growth of mud crab.

Other socioeconomic facton such as cheap and skilled W, market sccessibility of

and order situation in tht
cmstmction materials and production inputs as well as the
locality shwld be considered.

Pond sbrpt, sizc and deptb

Fanhm ponds preferably rectangular in shape with areas ranging fmm 250 rn' to 0.4 ha
could bc u d
'the shape of the eatthen pond should be rectangular and the wider axis of the pond
qhould facc the hackwatcr canal in order to have a greater tidal effect through either wooden or
hr~ck-mclrlarmade 5luice.
'171~pond

should have a water spread area of 0.1 to 0.4 ha.

lhc curthcn dykes should be made from the soil removed from the bottom of the pond. I I
ttic w ~ 1l4 u ~ l d lC'III~
, U)II from elsc~hcreshould bc hrought in for the construction of the d)kes
ulr~chu ~ l help
l

111

rrtalning the watcr during the culture period as well as reducing the seepapr

of pbnd Hater.

Wurcr depth should be 80 to I00 cm

H'rfcr supply and drainage

H uter rxchnrige is through tidal effect. Sluice gates may be used to regulate the inflow
and outflow of the tidal water. I h e sluice gates are fitted with bamboo screens to prevent the
escape of crabs. In regions where tidal influenw is less, sea water can be pumped in.
r

'Ihe pond should preferably have a double gate system made either of concrete or w d

Supply and drainage [nust be separate to facilitate good water exchange.

Pond bc~nommust be leveled and cleaned to allow easy harvest.
In case w h a t t h m is no tidal effect a diesel or electric pump should be installed for
drawl and draining of water

6 Each one-hectare compartment is provided with about 12 carthern mounds (5m3)

installad in strategic anas of the pond. These mounds serve as breathing spots when mud crab
could climb during times of the low oxygen tension, as well as places when they can burrow.

These should be installed in the middle of the pond high enough so that the peaks remain above
water even when depth of 80 to 100 cm is reached.
*:

Sawed-off bamboos or used PVC pipes (50cm long with 15 cm diameter opening at both

ends) are added to avoid mortality due to fighting and cannibalism among fellow crabs. These
also serve as shelters for moulting and past-moult crab.

Fig 3: Hideout provision in growout ponds

Fencing of the pond

*:*

To prevent the crabs from escaping, the area is fenced in either by bamboo or nylon net

(I-? cm mesh size) fence extending about 30cm above the waterline. The fence is kept in place

by supporting it vertically with bamboo or wooden posts and horizontally with some bamboo
splits embedded about 50 to 70 cm along the base of the dike. Plastic striplsheet of about 30 cm
wide should be installed along the top edge of the net fmcc to prevent mudcrab from climbing
over the top. For concrete-lined ponds with relatively steeper slopes. a nylon net fence is no
longer necessary

4 Fencing can on rhe inner pcriphcry of the pond or on the top of the dyke
4 Catwalks may be provided fafdmonitoring and stock sampling

Fig 4: Fencing on inner periphery of tbe pond

Fig 5: Fcocirg above t b t dyke

k i g n of pond for nursery w r i n g

The hatchery r

d lwae are din nurseries in ponds and cages. For the larger

s p i e s . there arc two phases in nursery mating, one related to rearing of megalopa to 3 gram
s i x (nursery phase I) and the o h )-gram r i d baby crabs to 25-gram sized juveniles (nuphase ll). The megalopa Iwa are reared either in h a p (size 6 square meters) stationed in open

backwater or nursery ponds (80 to 100 square meters) for a period of one month on an animal

diet. Appmjriate shelters (sea w d s ) an pmvidal in hapalpond to reduce the cannibalism. The
average size of a single megalopa is 0.003 gram which increases to 3 grams in one month
rearing. The three gram sized baby crabs are stocked in nursery ponds and reared on a diet of

crash fish for 45 days, by which time, they attain 25 grams. The expected survival is 60 to 80 %
in nursery phase I and 50 to 60 % in nursay phase 11. The nursery ponds should be of 100 to 200
sq metres. The design and constnrction is similar to the gmwout ponds

Design of pond for crab fattening

Crab faaening is carried out in ponds, cages or pens. Small ponds mnging from 0.1 to
0.5 ha in size with a water depth of 1.5 m are generally selected for the purpose. The p n d should

preferably have a sandy bottom. Bunds should have a minimum of 1.0 m width at the top to
prevent cmbs from escaping by hrro\cing through the bunds. Crabs arc copahle of climbing over
the bunds. which is prevented by fixing overhanging fences on dykes. Fencing of height between
0.5 to 1.0 m over the dyke is done with materials like bamboo sticks, hamboo poles and knotless

nets, asbestos sheets, fiberglass panels. etc. As the crabs are highly cannibalistic especially on
freshly moulted animals. 'refugee cages' made out of hollow bamboo pieces, cement pipes or
stones are placed inside the pond to minimize mortality.

3. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF PENS

The crab pens are constructed in the logged areas of the mangrove swamp or in the
open backwater. The vegetation of the mangrove area is left intact to provide a natural
environment for the crabs to grow and reproduce. The pen can be constructed using the trunks of
palm tree or barnboo/eualyptus poles which are abundant in the coastal area. The material should
last for many years in wet conditions.
The method of erecting of pens can be 2 types, viz. on wet ground where already water
exists and on dry surface where submersion up to 1.2 m is expected. The individual pen
segments may be of any shape and of varying sizes, as dictated by area and contour of water

body. The supporting structure is constructed by driving stakes (length: 2.5m; diameter: 30 to
QOmm)

into bottom, fixed 1.5 m apart, and braced with long and straight split bamboo

horimntally at evay 30 cm height from ground level. In a dry pen, a tnmh 30 cm wide and deep
any be dug, having 50 cm pits a every 1.5 m distance, for f m l y driving poles into bottom soil.
week bcfon onsa of monsoons. In wcr pens, water m a has to be demarcated using a guide rope
and corner posts. Thc structwal framework is prepad suing 2.5 m long bamboo poles (fixed in
bourn-mud vertically along the guide rope at 1.Sm intervals) with uppa and middle bamboo
bracing. Ihc pen screen ( 12 mesh/cm) is lined inside the pen sbucture. Joining running length of
rnatcrilrl hy stitching makes s c m of desired width (say 1.8 m). In wet pcn bottom portion of the
s c r m (30 cni) is kcpt folded inside and pushed down with the help of brick lying all along, and
In

dry pens 30 crn portion is buried in trench and filled with soil. The top screen is raised and tied

to upper hnritnntal hracing with ties (at the hracing points on top, middle and bottom) at each

vc~i~col
post. N c ~cover for pens may have to he pmvidcd to ward-off any possible bird menace.
I'roris~on moy have to he made for laddns or other perches for attending to feeding and
hiinc\~ingcmh

'Ihc mwtcrials used for constructing enclosures should be strong and durable enough to
hold collective weight of crab-stock and yct allow relatively unrestricted exchange of water.
IdcnIIy materials u.scd for s c m n and otha accessories should be i) strong, ii) light, iii) rot.
corrosion and weather resistant. iv) fouling resistant v)easily worked and repairable vi) smooth
tcx~urcdand thus non-abrasive to fish, vii)inexpensive,and viiikasily available.

Pen screen structure

The materials required for pen construction are:

i) Fencing screen of suitahle material
ii) Barnboo or wooden poles to supporf and hold pen screen in position against water
cunmt. wind and \ s ~ v actions,
e
iii) 3-3 mm diameter foot and head ropes of durable quality, and
iv) Tying or lacing twine of about lmm thickness.

The xmn materials used f a making pens should be:

i) with the size of mesh small enough to retain crab juveniles,
ii) resistant to long exposure to sun and water,
iii) Study enough to withstand stretching tension and current, wind and wave action,
iv) Resistant to cuts by crabs and other animals,
v) Relatively low-prid and easily available and
vi) Easy to handle and support.

HDPE mono-filament webbing materials is commonly used, biding low-priced and is

lighter and resistant to damages by crabs. The material is also quiet resistant to sunlight, saline
water and stretching tension. However, in an environment where filamentous algae grow in
abundance. the netting material tends to get clogged. Weekly brushing of pen-wall rcduces this
prohlem. The material usually comes in rolls of 0.75 to 1.2 m in width, varying from closely
woven (40 meshicm) to 10 to 20 meshlcm approximately, 40 meshedcm fabric is ideal for
rearing crab juveniles and 12-15 rneshfcm webbing for larger sized crabs. Knotted nylon
webbing (stretched mesh of 20 to 400 mm) may be used for making a topsover, whenever
necessary. Matured and well-seasoned bamboo or euglyptus poles (50 to 70 mm diameter) are
best materials for supporting stake structures, particularly in relatively shallow water areas.
Pressurized treatment with preservative chemicals and tar can prolong life of posts. Side bracing
is done either with thin round or split bamboos.
Fencing

For fencing, each strip is driven about 1.2 m into the soil with almost no gaps between
strips. If the dimension of the par is 18 m by 9 m (162 m2) then the fence is 2.4 m high to keep
off predators and to prevent crabs from escaping. The fence is supported by posts at 3 m intervals
and thm levels of horizontal mngs of the same materials. The posts are 3.7 m long with 1.2 m in
the soil. Preferably a grcm net with, 12 mm mesh size and 2mm twine diameter, with bamboo as

stnrcnrral framework could be used. The Iowa end of the net to about 60 cm below pond bottom
surface was buried to prevent the cscapc of crabs through burrows. The inner side of the upper

cnd of the cnclosum was lined with 30 cm wide thick plastic shed to v e n t crabs from
escaping over enclosun.
f:or bigger pens , the rungs arc 6 cm thick, 9 cm wide and 3.7 m long. These m g s are
nailed horimntally to the fencing strips and the posts, one at ground level, one in the middle.
and one rrbaut 0.3 m from the top of the fencing. A perimeter plankwalk either made of timber
planks or palm strips is connructed for easy movement amund the pen. Also, a small store is
ccmstructcd in between pns.

Fig. 5: Materials used for fencing

Drainage

Inside the pen, perimeter drains of 0.6 to 0.9 m wide and 0.8 m deep are dug. Usually. a
snlall drain 0.3 m wide and 0.3 m deep is constructed across the pen. The soil dug out from the
perimctcr drains is accumulated at the foot of the fence to build a small bund. The perimeter
drain is linked to the inlet/outlet drain outside the pen. An 18 crn elbow PVC pipe is installed a
the entrance to the inlel/outlet drain with the elbow md on the inner side. The drains inside the
pen arc always filled with water. During high tide. the elbow end of the pipe is p

d down to

allow fresh salt water to enter. The elbow end is pulled up during ebb tide. In pens located on
higher ground, there is a need to install water pipes and water pump to irrigate the pens during
the neap tide period when the tide cannot reach the area The pens an under the shade of the
mangroves and crabs will make holes in between the mangrove plants and stay in there during
low tide. Those bare areas when the mangrove plants have baar removed arc replanted using
mangrove cuttings. 'Ihis is to cnsutc a good canopy over the pars.
36

4. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF CAGES

There are several types of cages including surface cages resting on bottom. submerged
cages and cages floating at water surface. The floating cage has been accepted as the most
appropriate type for Indian conditions and research on rearing of s e d . grow out. nutritional and
stocking requirements have been condoctd using them. Ideally, cages used for crab aquaculture
should be inexpensive, durable and easy to handle. Various shapes and sizes have been used
suc~ssfully.
Shape and sizes

Round, ixtagonal. square or rectangular shapes do not nlake sigrlificanl differences.

However. commercial crab cages are rectangular. It is important that cage volume remains
relatively resistant to deformation by external forces. which could cause crowding, stress tind
mortality of stock. Static force is vertical which includes weight of cage and fouling.

The material used for framework is aluminium, galvanized iron or conduit-iron tube or
rigid PVC or HDPP pipes. Empty barrels and materials such as HDPP jerry cans or airtight PVC
pipes. fiberglass or Styrofoam floats are used as buoys to keep cages afloat. A bamboo

framework (cahialk). floated by empty-oil barrels, is built around a battery of cages or they are
freely floated with plastic cans in mid-water with some mooring device.

Fig 6: Mereat cage mesh mrteriilr

Collar and llatation system lor agu

Cage h

e (collar) is for providing suppott to cage in water column. Many a g e

collars also serve as work platforms with floatation system. The simplest is constructed almost
entirely from wood or bamboo, which w e s as the rigid framework for maintaining shape of
bag and also supports wcight of the struch~rc. Other examples include empty and expanded

polyurcthanelpolystyrcne foam filled plastic and synthetic mbber pipes, which form basic
I'he alternative is to select dense materials such as galvanized steel and

framework of collar

aluminium ulloj plpcs for strength, and to add supplementary flotation such as steeldrums or
hltrchs of expanded sjrithctic polymers. Such materials are, of course, considerably more
cxpenslvc, but have

life of 10 to 12 years. Rigid PE pipe, which is light, strong and highl~

rcsistcmt to rottltrp iind \kcathering filled with highdensity expanded poljurethane is least
prohlcmatir, und 1s commonly u s a l for circular collars in Western Europe.
13umhoo. balsa and lightwood logs. plastic (PV(') containers, steel and PVC drums used

oil dn~rns(pniritcd or coated with fiberglass) and ferro-cement blocks are commonly used for
flotation purpwe'. In sclrctiny type of flotation system, it will be necessary to consider the cost.
availahiiily. durahiliry, case of replacement, effectiveness in a particular situation and efficiencj

in relation lo investrnent is enclosure and value of fish contained.

Materials / Types for cages

Ramboo cages

'Ihc cage frames (6m x 1.5m) are constructed using straight green bamboo sticks
(J(ht~min diameter) for holding net bag in shape. The nylon net of 12mm mesh is stitched like a
bag of the size of the cage and hung within the frame. The top, one side is provided with a slit
which can be closed, for fcoding and for handling. Eight empty and sealed jerry cans (high
density p l y propylene (HDPP); capacity: 35 liter, tach) art tied at 1.5m height from the boaom
to the corner and side h a m b sticks an floated in wind protacd deepwater, after anchoring
with two stones on either side of the cage. The cage when would have an under water volume of
36m' with a fmbaord of 0.5m above wpter.

PVC flortisg ages

A rectangular cage (4m x 2m x 2m sizt) with knotted netting hag is tied to a

HDPPPVC pipe auto-floating Framework. The Frame is constructed from 70 to 90mm diameter
(6kg) rigid PVC pipe with appropriate right angle elbow at each comer. The pipe and elbow are
glued with PVC cement and joined airtight. The top of the cage bag is attached to the f i e ,
which also serve as a flotation device. Twelve, lOOg lead weights may be attached equidistantly
to netting at the bottom-line of the cage-bag to help retain its rectangular shape. The top of the
cage net is raised above water level to have a freehoard (about 30cm). by a light. Additional
supporting PVC frame or any other device.
Cage linkages and groupings

The number and arrangement of cages should depend on

Size of farm,
Area and nature of site
Shape and design of cage and linking system
Mooring constraints
Environmental consideration
Square and rectangular cages can be assembled in a variety of configuration. It is
recommended that for most sites although cage grouping may be 8 to I0 cages long, they should
be more than 2 cages wide. Their grouping together markedly reduce forces acting on individual

cages. The simplest type of linkage is with the rope or chain which is secured sufftciently tight
to reduce all motion , except in vertical plane in minimum. Rubber tires arc often lashed or
bolted between cages to act as fenders

The lines and anchors together form mooring system to secure cages in a desired
position. The moorings also influence stress acting on individual cage and its bchaviour in rough
weather and can affect the production. The mooring systtm can be single or multiple points.

chain ,11

Anchor

scabt1orn

Fig 7: Method of mooring the cage

Conclusion

thc mud crah rcmains a species with good potential for aquaculture due to its fast
protvth and pxK1 market acceptability and pricc. However a mud crab aquaculture operation
rcqtiircs \~gnificantcapital input for h ~ the
h saed production and prow-out phase. The larval
4ti1gc rcqulrc\ controlled ~.ondrticns~n a properly cquippcd hatcher) on a site with a source vf
h~phquullt) miwater Pond grow-our r~yuiresa substantial area of carthen ponds with access
Iargc \olumes of brnchishwaler. Advances in high density recirculating production systems ma!
rcmovc some of the constraints an area required and site abailobility. A grow-out operation
rlccds c\pcrtiu: and knowledge of husbandry of cmstaceans, water quality control, pond

manopcmcnt, nutrition, processing and marketing. Similarly culturing in pen and cage would
givc prolitahlc and more impetus to the crab fanning.

Kathincl, M. S. Kulasekmpandian and C.P. Balasuhnunanian. 2004. Mud crab culture in India
CIBA Bull., No. 17: 1 4 . 4 9

Srinivasagam. S. M, liathirvel and S. Kulasekarepandian. 2000. Captive stock develop men^

induced h d i n g and larval stages of mud crabs (Scylla spp.). CIBA Bull. No. 12: 1-26

CULTURE AND UTILIZATlON OF LIVE FEED FOR MUD CRAB

SEED PRODUCTION

c.Go@
Central Institute of Brackisbwater Aquaculture, Chennai.

ALGAL CZJLTURE

The floating microscopic plants or phytoplankton, arc the micro-algae. which form the
basic food for most of the animals in aquatic ecosystem. They are unicellular and microscopic in
size. They are the primary producers of organic matter via photosynthesis. Since, micro-algae
are the biological starting point of the energy flow through the most important aquatic food
chain, the grazing food chain. it is logical that management of algal production is an integral part
of man) hatcheries operational. Micro-algae not only play an important part as a food source,
but. togcttlcr hactcria, they 31~0have an iniportant rolc in tlic oxygen and carbon dioxide balance
in the cultures. Recently more than 40 different species of micro-algae, isolated in different part5

of the world, are king used in intensive culture procedures. The most frequently used species
are ('huctnccros,

Skeletonema .Wannochloropsis spp, Chlorella spp, Isochrysis galbana,

1sochq~si.s tahiti, h4onochr)sis lulheri. Tetraselmis suucica, Dunuliella spp and the
chlorococculean
In hatcheries, shrimp larvae are fed on unicellular diatoms such as C'haetocerus and

Sklctonemu or nannoplanh?ers such as Isochysis and Tetraselmis. Unlike shrimp larvae, crab

Ian.= in the early stages of development are planktivorous feeding mainly on moplanktun for
which adequate quantity of quality live fted of required size, that can be injested by the larvae
should be made available during the larval rearing phase. The zooplanktons are reared in
different types of phytoplankton which include

gr#n

algae Chlorella sp, Nannochloropsis sp,

Isochtysis and Terraselmis sp.

So, pure cultures of the above organisms have to be continuously maintained in

controlled laboratory conditions to ensure a constant source of starter culture. Live feed culture
should be initiated at least two months prior to the spawning s e w n , to provide a continuous

supply of it for larval rearing. Hence mass culturc of these species is a pre-requisite for
succrssful hatchery opaation.

Algal culture involves two major aspects. They ac:

a) collection, isolation and purification of the requid species from the wild and

b) mass culture technique.

Criteria to be considered in tbe selection of micro-alp

1. S i x and feeding density

2. Motility and floating capacity

3. Nutritive value
4. 'The digestibility and absorptive. High nutritive value with poor digestibility is no

desirable
5 . Reproducibility -- It should he possible to produce in large quantities
0. ('ost should be low.

Fig. R

Fig.1: Skektoacma cartatam; Fig3 & 3 :Cbaetocctw sp.; Fig.4: Navicula up.;

COLLECTION, ISOLATION AND PURlFlCATION

Cdlccrjo,

Plankton an usually coll&

by towing specially made ncts through watcr (Fig. 9).

I'he fine mesh net is made of bolting cloth, silk or nylon materials. The newly collected samples

arc illuminated to specimens alive. Thm the samples an treated with enriched medium suitable
for thc growth of particular algal species.
Isolation and Purification

Isolation of specific phytoplankton from the collected crude sample is a pre-requisite

for thc csaablishment o f unialgal culture. Several methods are employed in the isolation of single
cclls dcpcnding upon algal s i x and characteristics of the desired species.
Biological isola tian

Ihc type uses thc positive photoactive response of the organisms. J h e organism would
tcnd to concentrate towards the light source. The concentrated organisms are collected and
transptvtcd to stcrile seawater. This process may be repealed several times until unialgal cells are
attained.
Scria l dilution

Cmdc sample is diluted by means of series of transfer in tubes containing culture

mcdium (Fig. 10). When greatly diluted the tube may contain only one cell. The diluted sample
is then exposed to ambient temperature and light condition. Usually the dominant species in the
niixcd pcrpulolion arc the ones that arc successfully isolated.
Rtptatd subcultam

The principle of this type is thc same as that of serial dilution. The collected mixed

population is diluted to lower the number and kinds of organisms. TIK diluted sample is then

exposed to several media, different conditions of tcmpcnrhuc, light intensities. The species tha
favours the particular culture conditions will only grow in each culture vessel. This process can
be rtpcated until unialgal culture is achieved

/-

RECEIVER
TOWING NET FOR SAMPLE COLLECTION

CJKIGINAL SAMPRLE

TUBES WITH STUULE MEDIUM

SERIAL DILUTION

Capilhry pipette method

A dish top is u d as an isolation bath. A small amount of crude sample (10-15 drops,

is placed in the centre of the dish. The sample is enriched with MI drops of suitable medium.
The desired algal unit is transfmcd from the crude sample to one of the 6 drops using a sterile
capillary pipette while looking through an inverted microscope or a stcrwscopic microscope. It
is transferred from one drop to the next drop until a single algal unit free from contaminants is
present in a drop of medium. Finally. the single alp1 unit is transferred to tubes containing the
stcrilc medium.

Watcr treatrncnt
W;ilcr, \rliich wrvcs as the hasc

for thc culture medium. must be free of toxic o r

unuunlcd scdimcnts. Water chlorinated and filtered thrc~ghsand filter is refiltered through
('artridge filters of 1 p or filler bags of 5 p for pure culture. For mass culture treated and .sand
iiltcrcd water is adequate.
Sterilization of culture vessel and other materials

(ilasswiue and other materials that are used during pun culture are sterilized in
tluloclave. Glussware are provided with covers such as aluminium foil or cotton, to minimize
contamination through air. llscd glassware are soaked in Muriatic acid before cleaning in soap
solution.
Types of culture

Phytoplankton cultivated in the laboratory arc classified as follows:

a) Maintenance Culfun: Nsnual collection kept in culture containers; Succession ol

dominant species takes place.
h) Enrichment cultures: Crude collection tru~lcdwith sekcted media that may favour the

rapid increasc in number of desired species.

C) Unialgal culture: Population of a single algal species with associated microorganisms

d) Axenic culture: Population of a single dgal species without any other living

organism.
e) Clonal culture: Population of organisms descended asexually from single individual.
Algal growtb characteristics

Knowledge of algal growth kinetics is nccessaty to decide on the time of harvest. The
population growth of algae is characterized by a sigmoid curve and is divided into 4 distinct
phases.
a) The log phase: Characterised by zero p w t h . The population remain unchanged. The
newly added inocu lam adapts to culture condition.
b) Logarithmic or exponential phase: The cells in this phase divide fast in constant

geometric progression and cells have active metabolic rate.

C)

Stationary phase: Pnpirlation rcmains coristmt or steady. 'This may hc couscd by

nutrient limited medium and aging of cells.

d) Death phase: This is the phase of declining growth. At this phase, the nutrient levels
in the medium are exhausted and the algal culture collapses.

For feeding the larvae, algae in the exponential growth phase or in the early stationary
phase should be used.
i

STATKNARY R.usL

P t M E M DEUWNO
RLUIPIR: OROWIM

iS

dv

UOweE
C

dm-(*
Cnmtb pattern of u aeicctlohr algae.

Ybysicnl reqrircmcab for He culture of a@

8.

Illumination : In controlled rooms white day light fluorescent tubes.

h. Tmpmture : Constant low t e m p ~ u r of

a 22-24' C

c. Acration

: Continous low air flow provided to keep the algae in suspension, to

parrly supply carbon needed for plant growth. disperse dissolve materials and to avoid adherence
of cells to the walls of culturc vessels.
Estimation of algal density

EI C'oIIcct a sample ofthe phytoplankton from a well mixed culture ( 1 0-20ml). Fix with 1 -:
drops of 1,ugols solution, within I5mts of collection.

+ (.'lean thc surfilcc of the hacmocytomctcr with 30% ethanol and put a cover slip on the
counting urea.
i)

h4i1 the saniplc well and dmw sumple into the pipette and place the tip of the pipette near

the V-sllnpd notch of the haemocytometer. Allow the sample to flow smoothly and
evenly into the entirc chamber. With a second sampler load the second chamber.

Wall

for I Omts prior to counting.

Im than 25 x I 0' cells Iml

Vicw tlrrough the microscope and count the number of cells in the four corner squares ot
the hocmoc!~ometer each of which is subdivided into 16 squares. Repeat the process on the
other side of the haemocytomctu. The result will be 8 separate counts. Using the following
formula the average number of cells per square will be obtained

Total # of cells counted

Avcmgt # of ctlls counted =

8
A x 25 x l 0 ~ ~ 1111l s

Estimated e l l density

Pr

100

Grater t b u 25 x 10' d b /ml

View the central square of haemocytomcta through the microscope. The central

square is divided into 25 smaller square, and each of the 25 squares is further sub-divided into 16
subsquans. Count the number of cells in 5 of the 25 squares. Five such squares are counted on

each side of the haemocytomcter, ie 10 per sample. The cell density of the sample can be
estimated by the following formula
Total of cells counted
Average # of cells counted =

10
A x 25 x l~'cells/ml

Estimated cell density

100

Culture medium
For proper gtowth and propagation, phytoplankton require a number of mineral
elements classified as macro-nutrients (N,P,S.K, Mg) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo,
SI). These mineral elements arc added to seawater ( enriched seawater media) or in distilled
water in sufficient amounts. Although artificial seawater media allowed constant results in algal
culture. enriched seawater media are preferably used, as it is cheaper and simpler.
The chemical composition of a defined medium have been derived and modified from
basic formulation depending upon the nutrient requirement of the cultivated algal species. The
important culture media used for culture of the micro-algae are:
a) Guillard and Ryther's (1962) Modified F medium,
b) Walne's (1974) Conway medium and

C) Liao and Huang (1 970) Modified TMRL medium.

The chemical composition of the media a:

a) Coillard and Rytber's MODIFED 'F' MEDIUM

I
I

cbcmica~

I..---..-Sodium nitrate

/ Sodium
dihydrogm phosphate i
---.
-----

I
1
1
/

--"

Ferric chloride

*--

-*--

- .I '~race
metals:
.

10
2

..-- ------.--.----

12
I

II
0.2

.----

0.196
0.44

0.01 26

Zinc sulphate

1 Sodium mulybdinate

I
-

I - i r i c sulphate

-.--

84.148

Sodium silicate
.
----.- -vitamins:
---.
T'hiarnin hydrochloride (B I )

t-

----

----.....--..---.--

~ u m t i t yin mg.

b) Walac's Coaway medium:

Cbemial

Quantity in mg.

Sodium nitrate

100

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate

20

Ferric chloride

1.3

EDTA

45

33.6

Boric acid
Manganese chloride

Vitamins:
Thiamin hydrochloride (B 1 )

' Cobalamine (B 12)

k--Trace metal$:

Cupric sulphate

- --

--

.-

Ammonium rnolybdinate

0.1
0.005

------

0.02

0.02 1

Zinc chloride
Cobalt chloride

0.36

----

Sea water

--

0.02
0.009

--

To 1 litre
a

C)

Liao and Huang's m o d i f d TMRL medium:

Cbemical

Quantity in mg.

Potassium nitrate

100

Sodium mono hydrogcn phosphate

10

Femc chloride

Sodium siliate

Seawater

To I litre

d) Comvy's medium

Q-W e/L)

Cbemiab

Potassium nitrate

202.0

Sodium dihydtogen phosphate

310.0

Sodium monohydrogen phosphate

89.0

C'alcium chloride

14.7

--..-

--

-----.--.---.--

'Trace elements

-------

Fe.EDTA Complex

.-----+-----

--

**

--.-

t)insolvc b l mg boric wid. 169 mg Mmgnnous sulphme, 287 mg Zinc sulpbc. 2.5 mg copper
at~lphrtcm d 12.36 mg Ammonium molybdate in 1000 ml o f distilled water.

**

1)irrolve 6.9 g femur sulphatc and 9.3 g of dimtiurn 4 1 of EDTA in 800 ml distilled water. Boil
i~ndctrd 11 and riiahc up to 1000 1111 by adding distilled water.

Culture of Chlorella sp~annochloropsisspp.

Prepare one lirre of working solution of Chlorella by adding 1 ml each compound from

the C'onvcy's medium s~ocksolution to 1 I of sterile seawater of. Potassium nitrate and sodium
dihydmgcn phospha~care to be added at the rate of 5 ml and 2 ml respectively. Adjust pH to 7.5
- 8.0. Agar slants arc prepared in rimless Borosil/Coming test tubes (20 ml) using Chlorellti

medium to which 1.5% agar is a d d 4 and autoclaved. The slants sre inoculated with Chlorello
using a platinum loop and cotton plugged. Transfer these slants to axmic conditions at 20-25'~
with continuous fluorescent illumination ( 1000- 15000 lux). A multi step culture procedure can

be followed for Further subculturing and maintenance of the culture. Here, the cells from agar

slants arc transferred to liquid culture medium in 20 ml test tubes, thea to 100 ml conical flasks.
250 ml conical flasks and upto I I flasks ( 10-20% of inoculum is used in each step). The flasb

arc shaken at regular intentals and allowed to grow for 7- 10 days.

The stock cultures art maintained either by serial dilution, repcaal subcul~les.
capillary pipette method or streak plating method.

Techaiqoe for IMSS cattan

Stock pure cultures arc maintained in unacratcd smaller containers of 50

100 ml.

W i n g up of volume is done according to demand. Before scaling up cultures arc examined to

check for contamination and to select a new seed or starter for a new hatch, based on cell quality.
Transfer is always done when cultures arc at log phase of growth.
The volume of starter depends upon the species, the volume of culture tank and demand
date. Usually diatoms require little inoculam compared to green algae. For starter 1 stock
cultures. a small volume of inoculam is needed while for large scale culture 10 - 20 % of the total
volume is the suggested amount of inoculam.
Continuous culture system is usually adopted at smaller culture volumes (300 1 or less).
For larger volume (500 1 to 10 tonnes) semi-continuous culture system is adopted. This is
sometime callcd sustenance culture. A portion of culture is withdrawn at certain periods tind

replaced ~ i t an
h equal amount of seawater and nutrients to retain the original culture volume.
Mass Culture of Nannochloropsis
Out door mass production of .5runnochloropsisspp consists of two stages. In the first
stage. 500 1 tanks are inoculated with starter cultures and in stage two, tanks of greater capacity
are inoculated fmm cultures drawn From the 500 1 tanks, after they attain harvest stage. (30 - 40
x lO%elldml).

'The 500 1 tanks are cleaned well and filled with filtered sea water. The seawater
chlorinated with 5.25% commercial bleaching powder solution @ 3300 mmVlOOO I. Vigorous
aeration is provided for 24 hours and subsequently dechlorinated with 150 ppm of sodium
thiosulphate solution. Ensure that all chlorine is removed, then add a nutrient mixture of
Ammonium sulphate, single Super Phosphate and Urea in the ratio 100,: 10,: 10, per tonne of sea
wakr. Add ,Yannochloropsis inoculum derived from the stock culture laboratory. The initial
stocking density should be around 3 - 5 x 10' cells/ml. Vigmus aeration and bright sunlight are
cssmtial for cell multiplication. This cuiturc is in tum used to inoculate Nannochloropsis spp in
larger mks, using 115 NannuchIoropsij spp starter volume and 415 filtmd seawater. Some
nutrient mixture is added in thesc tanks also. Continuous aeration and sun light provides good

cell density. When 20 - 25 x I$ cells/ml is reached, it can be used to fctd rotifers and as p e n
water for Imal rearing tanks.
Rotifer Culture (Bruchionw plicutUis)
Importance of Rotifer

Rotifers arc microscopic organisms abundantly found in all the aquatic systems. Ir
thrives in rhc cutropic condition. Rotifer succteds normally after the phytoplankton bloom
crashed out. It feeds on macmwpic unicellular algae like Chlorella, Telrselmi\
,Vun~rochk~ropsr
ctc.. Bccaux of their apt size (100 - 2 8 0 ~which
)
may fish larvae can ingest, II

is cultured in large s a l e and used in all the fish hatcheries. Rotifer is considered as an important
live fixd organism.
'I'ypw uf Hotifen:

lherc arc thrcc types o f rotifers cultured in the hatcheries and used depending upon thc
rcquircments.
1.

SS (super smell) type

100- 140pm

3.

I, type

Above 22 1pn

Generally the water volume of algal culture is 2-5 times greater than the volume o
rotifer culture. J l e r q u i d daily parameters for rotifkr culture an densities of Arannochlomp~
spp > 1 OX1 o6 cells/ml to be provided for the rotifcts, temperature range between 27-28C
Rotifer starter cultures arc d r a w hstock cultures maintained. Fiberglass tanks varying
capacity from 1 -2 ton an used for roti fer culture. Tanks should be preferably elevated at about

ft above the ground for easier collbclion and harvest

ir

Propgrtiou and Mairtcoroce of Fare Culture of Rotifcr

To raise a pun culhur of rotikr, initial samples must be collected from stagnant water
bodies, using a net of 50-80p mesh size. About 50-60 1 of pond water then filtered, yields
sufffciently large numbers of individuals of Brachionusplicatilis.
Using a fine dropper, individual specimens are isolated and introduced into a glass
cavity block containing filtered, sterilized seawater, the pH of which is adjusted to be same as
that of the field sample.
Adjust the pH of Nonnochloropsis spp to 7.5 - 8.0 using diluted Sulphuric acid to
Hydrochloric acid if needed with Sodium hydroxide solution. Nanmchloropsis spp may also be
centrifuged at 3 0 0 rpm for 10 minutes and resuspended in seawater. Estimate the density of
.l'annochlnropsis spp using a haemocytometer. Prepare Nannochlon~p.sisdensity to about one

million cells/ml by adding appropriate quantity of filtered seawater.

Distribute the .Vanm~chlomp.~is
spp into 5-10 ml glass cavity blocks. llsing a pasteur
pipette. transfer each of the rotifer species into the cavity blocks. Serially transfer the isolated
inditiduals through several cavity blocks to eliminate many associate organism. Cover the cavity
block and place in diffused light.
AAer isolation, replace with fiesh ,Vannrxrhloropsis (density 1 million cells per ml)
everq 1 :!hours. 'Transfer adult rotifer along with eggs and neonates if any. Gradually increase the
\lolume to 35 ml, in 50 ml beakers. Change the culture daily once. lJse 50-80p mesh to separate
the rotifers. Proceed till the density reaches about 50 individuals/ml and the volume up to 500
ml. Increase ,4'annochlompsis density to 3-4 million cclls/ml.

When the density exceeds the above, remove half the quantity and make up with clean
water. Change the culture daily with h s h Nannochlorop.sis at the above food density.

M m Culture of Rotifcr
Clean the rotifcr c u k e tanks add Namhloropsis water at a dmsity >20x106
cclls/ml are added. Inoculate the tank with rotifen to achieve an initial density of 10 ind/ml.

Estimate density by taking 1 ml aliqw with a glass rotifa pi*

and count the number of

rotifers in the pipette with a IOX magnifier. Allow 7-8 days for rotifer density to increase.
Harvest and conccmatc wing a 48p plankton net. R m t m e hantestcd stock as starter
culture for other tanks and rest as f#d for larvae. A A a each harvest, thoroughly wash and clean
tanks with fresh water.
Culture of rotifer and algee should be scheduled to ensure daily harvest of rotifer and an
uninterrupted production. Culturists jmfer rotifen to reproduce asexually, because of the shorter
life span and better nutritive value of the asexual forms. This is accomplished by regulating feed.
water, temperature, salinity and aeration during the culture process. Fertility is a measure of the
gcneral health of the mtifer culture. llndcr normal circumstances greater than 30/o of the rotifen
should hc carrying eggs 24 hrs aAer initial stocking. This value will fall to 10% at the time of
harvesting.

AHTEMIA NAllPLll AND BIOMASS

Artcmia

Brine shrimp, Ancmia is an important source of animal protein for the fast growing
Ituvcrc of seahass. Artemia is rich in required PUFA and aminoacids needed for early stage of

the larvw.
Biology of Anemia
Artemia

culture in the hatchery is starts with cysts. Cysts are metabolically inactite

encysted embryos. Dry cyst measures 232-240 pm in diameter and weight 3.70 pg. On an
average 1 gm cyst contains about 2.65.957 ball live patticles, which after immersion in normal
seawater hatches into nouplii. Aftcr hydration of cyst measures 237.4 = 6.60 um in diameter and
weigh 3.70 pg. .Vauplii at the fitst stap is known as MSTARI. It m ~ o r p h o s t upto
s MSTAR

XI1 when the Rrtrrnia attains adult Stage.

In about 12 days, the individual attains the length of 7.5 mm. Sexual dimorphism is
pronounced by this time. The male antennae get transformed into hoodlike muscular graspers,
whenas in the posterior part of the trunk region, a p a i d copulatory organ can be observed.

Female Anemia can easily be recognized by the broodpouch which is situated just behind the
11' pair of thoracopods. The individual become gravid by 1 5 day.
~ carrying a broodsac full of

eggs. The total length of .4rtemia at this stage is about 9- 10mm.

Reproduction
Two different panems of reproduction viz, oviparous and ovoviviparous have been
recorded in Artemia under different feeding and environmental regimes. Organisms cultured in
low salinity of 35-60 ppt with high dissolved oxygen, 94.7-7ppm). pH levels 8.2 - 9.2 are
conducive for ovoviviparous reproduction.
Oviparous reproduction was reported to occur in high salinity and low oxygen levels.
in oviparous reproduction. eggs develop into the gastrula stage, become surrounded by the thick

shell and arc deposited as cysts. In hypersalinity conditions, cysts are released, which float in the
brine water. The floating cysts are eventually blown ashore, where they accumulate in large
masses and dry.

Production of Arlemia Nauplii

The production of nauplii by incubation of cyst in seawater is a very simple procedure.
I-lowever when working on a large scale and with high densities of cysts, several parameters
might be critical in ensuring maximum hatching efficiency.
Optimum condition for brtcbing
Temperature
pH
Salinity

25-30'~
7.5 - 8.5

26 PV

OXYgen
Illumination

above 2 mVL

Cyst density

1 gmlliter

above lo00 lux

Best hatching efficiency with hi* densities of cysts can be achieved with transpannr

funnel sh@

containers that are aerated from the b o w . The hatching containers arc about 20-

30 liter capwity, cylindrocanical FRP tanks. The hatching tanks are illuminated at a distance of

about 20 cm with 60 watt fluorescent lamp. A continuous m i o n hwn the bottom of the
hatching tank ensure that all cysts arc kept in suspmsion. Complete hatching takes place within
24-36 hrs. When hatching is complac using light source. the nauplii can be attracted and

collected by siphoning.
Decapulrtion 01cyst
'Ihe hard dark bmwn external layer of cyst, the chorion can he removed withoul
efTecting the viability of the embryo by shor~term exposure of the hydrated cyst to a
hypochlorite solution. Dccapsulation improves the hatching efficiency.
I h p r u l a t i o n Prwdurc
llydratc cysts in seawater for atlcast 1 hour.
r

Preparation of decapsulation solution

1)ccspsulation solution with bleaching pawder

Ca (OCI,):

Na:C'03: 0.78 gJg of cyst.

: O.Sg active pmduct/g of cyst

Aerate this solution for 24 hrs. After 24 h n stop aeration and allow to sedimentair
Only use the upper part of decapsulation solution. h p s u l a t i o n solution - Ca(0CL): + Na2 Co.
+ H:O =

13.3 mllg cyst.

9 Drain out the hydrated cyst into fine mesh sieve

9 Put the hydrated cyst into &capsulation conlaina, xid dccapsulation solution and aerate

9 Wait till cyst become orange in colour

Drain the suspension of decapsulated cyst into a fine mesh sieve and rinse irnmediatcl!
until the smell of hypochloritc is removed.

+ Soak and stir in 0.M HCL solution for less than I minute
0 Wash

Q,

Soak and stir in 0.1% Na2S2@ for less than 1 minute

Wash

O Incubate for hatching

Biomass Prodrctioll

As the seabass larvae grow, the feed requirement and the preying tendency of the Fry
increases. Adult Artemia biomass meets this requirement of the seabass fry.
Biomass production under contmlled condition can be carried out either in hatch or in
flow through culture systems. In both the culture systems, provisions arc made to maximize
oxygenation of the medium and to ensure food availability to all the larvae. when culturing in
high density.
Batch Culture System
In hatch culture system nauplii are reared upto adult stage, without atilly water rcnewul
in airlift racewals. Freshly hatched nauplii are stocked at a rate of 10,00O/Iiter and feeding is

done with rice bran and water transparency is maintained at 15-20 cm. As Arrcmia is a
nonselective filter feeder, it can be cultured by feeding with a wide range of feed like
I'haetoceros, Skeletonemu, marine algae and yeast etc. Adequate food must be available in the

medium at all times as Artemia is a continuous filter feeder. Faecal pellets and excreta have to
be removed regularly from the culture medium from 41h day of culture, as they affect water

quality. pH of the water should be maintained above 7.5. tlarvesting is done with a scoop net.
Floutbrougb Culture System
More intensive Arternia culhrre can be achieved with flow throua system in which
continuous renewal of culture wata will be maintained but in all other aspects it resembles the
batch culture system. Continuous inflow of firsh culum medium with food to the culture tank is
maintained. The continuous water change results in removal of all metabolites and hence
Anemia culture can be carried out with intensive i.e. 20,0OO/litre.

C A ~ VBROODSKK'K
E
DEVEUWMPNT AND LARVALReARMG OF MUD CRABS

C P BAWWJBUAMANIAN
Ceatnl Institute of BrrckirLwrtcr Aqsrcabrc, Chcenai.

Aquaculture of mud crabs (Scylla spp) dales back to 1890 in Guangdong, China (Shan
and Iain 1994). Since 1970s, steady intmst has betn shown in culture of Scylla spp in man!

tropical Asim countries. Fanning of mud crab is c o n s i d d to be an important and valuable

industry, offering advantages from a number of aspects: 1) uncomplicated technology, 2 )
abandoned shrimp ponds can be converted, 3) intanational markets, 4) native species to man!
tropical Asian countries. 5) easy transportation, potential for rural as well as industrialized
clquacultun, 6) individual animals are valued in contrast to penaeid shrimps and 7) resilience oI
resources. liowcver, croh aquaculture is severely constrained by the unperfected hatcher!
tcchnology. 'Ihis article summarirts various afgects of mud crab biology and hatchen
tcchnology.
Biobgy 01Mud c n b s
Taxonomy

Taxonomy of genus Sc?~llo has been considerably confused. Estampador ( 1 949 I

rtcognizcd thm v i e s and one variety. His classification was mainly based on coloration
morphological characters and behavior. Although many authors accepted Estampodaor'$
classification. Stephenson and Carnpel (1960) concluded that there was insufficient evidence for
separation of species beyond mono-specific t a m ,Fcylla serrata. R m t l y , the taxonomy

01

genus Sryllo revised and confirmed the existence of four species (Table 1; F i p 1) b a d on
morphomctric analysis, alloyme electrophoresis and mitochondrial scqucnces. However.
insufficient evidences from Indian mud crab species (Kathirnl, Personnel communication) to
support the classification suggested by Keerun d J (1998), in this article, the classification
suggested by Kathirvel and Smivasa~gun(1991) is u d . The following Table provides thc
status of nomenclature of mud crab species

Tabk 1: Tuomomic stahr of mud crabs Sqlla spp

Katkimd and Srinivasagam

(1992)
Scylla tranqwharico

Ed.mpdor
ScylIa oceanica

(1949)

Keenan et at (1998)

Scylla serrura
Scylla tranquebarica

ScyIIa serrata

Sc?,lla olivacea

Not reported

- --

~ c ~ lserrata
la
(keenan et a1 1998)

Scylla olivacea
(Keenan et a/ 1998)

Fig 1: Taxonomic features of d i - t

r--

------

."

Scylla tranquebarica
(Keenan et a/ 1998)

-I

Scyila paramsmosaln
(Keenan et a1 1998)

mud m b spedcr (After b a r n ct al1998)

Life History

Mud crab's natural history can be considered as catadromars: adult spawn in the open
ocean but young migrate inshore. The various stages of development lue shown in Fig 2.

Fig 2: Ccscrrlfied lift cycle of ScyIh spp.

Bblogy of Crab Rcprodoctioe

The sex of crabs can easily be ddennincd by external features. Male crabs are
characterized by inverted 'T' Shaped abdomen, whereas in females the abdomen is semicircular.

In addition the male has relatively larger chelae, and a general trimness for body contour than
females. Males have two plbopods that modified as copulatory organs on the first and second
abdominal segments.In the case of females first four abdominal segments carry pleopods, which

are birarnous and possess setae for attachments of eggs for brooding.

The female reproductive system comprises a pair of ovaries, a pair of spermlithcca (=

seminal receptacle) and a pair of vagina. The ovary is 'H' shaped and located dorsally just
beneath the carapace. The horns of ovasy extends anterolaterally from either side of the gastric
mill and dorsal to the hepatopancreas. 1

' posterior
~
horns, which lic verltral to the Ilcart, cxtcnd

posteriorly on either side of the intestine on either side of the intestine. The senlinal receptacle
arises from mid lateral border of the posterior horns. Each antenna1 receptacle leads into a
narrou vaginal tube which further open outside through small circular gonopore situated
ventrally. Eggs are produced in the paired ovaries. Sperms produced in the testes opens into
coiled tubes (vas deferens) that package mature sperms into gelatinous bundles (spermatophore)
for transfer to females. In natural conditions mud crabs attain sexual maturity at between 18 and
23 months.

Mating takes place in the estuarine environment, after which female crabs migrate to
the sea where spawning takes place (Arriola 1940, Ong 1966). Berried S.serrara females have
been caught in trawl nets up to 80 km from the short in Australia (Poovichiranon 1992, Hill

1994). Spawning appuvs to occur throughout the year with some seasonal peaks (Hcasman et al

1985, Q U ~ Mand Kojis 1987). These peaks seem to be related to seasonal rainfall for tropical
populations, while in tanperate regions reproduction is more strongly related to temperature,
with a peak in spawning activity in the summer months (Heasman er a!. 1985). S.serrata is

highly fecund with up to 8.36 million eggs per female (Mann el 01. 1999). The meal larvae
develop and remain in

the open ocean until they rtrrch the megalopa stage, after which they

migrade back into the estuarine envinmmar~(Kccnan 1999). Litile is known about the oceanic
phases of the life cycle.

Mating

Ihc mature female nlcascs a chemical aftractant (pheromone) in to the water, which
attract males. 'The successful male picks up the female and canies h a around for several da!s
until shc molts. ('opulation can occur only when females arc in soft shell condition. Male

dqwsits Spermatophorc inside the female storage sac (spcrmatheca) by using male first
plcopods. 'Ihe Spermatophorc can m a i n viable, until fertilization takes place. for weeks or even
months. When the eggs complete vitellogenesis they are passed down and fertilized by stored
sperms, and cxtruded onto pleopods. The eggs adhere to the pleopod hairs and female is said to

bc bcrry o r ovigcrous.

Ovarinn dcvclopment

The clrtssification of ovarian maturation provides a guide for broodstock management

in hatchery facilities. For hatchery operation, animals with ripe or late maturing ovaries should
he selected to minimize the use of resources such as time and money. The colour, size and

texture of ovary of mud crabs are closely related to its cellular development. Based on external
nlorphology and light microscopy, Quinitio et al 2007 classified the ovarian de\~elopmentstage5
of S, scmuta into five (Table 2)

TI& 2: Chrncterisrics of ovarian Jbgg of Scylla tnnqrcbrricr

(+.serrnb); adopted

from Qlinitio ct 812007

Immature

Ovuy thnd-like; sometimes

difticult to ncognin: fran

other tissues; lrrnspucnt to
tmslucent

Obgonia, oocytes md follicle cells appuent in the ovuirn

lobe, follicle cells fbund ~ u a the
d paiphery of the loba
and M m a unong p p s of mgonia and aocyter;
mgonhl nuclei in different rtrpcs of mitosis md meiosis
Thin ovrry, tnnrlucenl to off white Lobes c l w l y
sepuued by c o n n d v e tissues; follicle cells with
variable shrpes gnlruily enclose the oocytes; more
advance m y e s found in the periphery

Early
maturing

Ovary increase in size; yellow

2 Euly maturing Oocytc diameter increases in size; small

yolk globules stut to appear in bigger oocytes; folliclc
cells around the
m y t e s (Fig. 2)

Late
maturing

Massive increase in ovarian size;

lohulcs apparent. light
orange

Yolk globules occur in the cytoplasm with larger globulu

inclusions toward periphery; follicle cells hardly
recognizable; a few small octcytcs visible

l ~ b u l swollen
a
with large ova:

Large yolk globules in the entire cytoplasm; nucleus

small; follicle cells hardly see

Fully
mature

ovary occupies available

space in hody cavity; orange to

dark orange
Ovary similar to Stnge 2 or

spent

smaller than Stage 3;

Yellow to light oranue and sometimes with dwk o m g e

on some puts of ovary; flaccid Oocyles of various rtages
present; yolky oocytes not expelled still recognizable;
atretic m y t n evident

Incubation

Mud crabs brood their eggs, as all other pleocemata. During the incubation period,
females stop feeding and thmforc animals generally avoid 'baited lifl nets and 'traps'. Egg
incubation period generally varies from 7 to 14 days, but the duration of incubation is greatly
influenced by the rearing water temperature. Egg incubation period is tested at different
temperature (20 to 30 "C) and found that incubation period decreased exponentially with

Larval stages

There an five zocal stages passing through five molts to reach the megalopa stage. At a
salinity of 31 ppt development from zoea 1 to megalopa requirts 16-18 days; each zoeal stage

takes minimum perid of 3-4 days before it molts in to the next stage. The megalopa takes 1 1 12
days before it molts inlo the first crab stage; at lower salinity in the range of 2 1-27 ppt this period
is reduced to 7-8 days. The faster rate of megalopa in lower salinity indicates that the megalopa

in nature move shoreward into brackish water.

Description of h a (From Ong 1966 )

The m a

~ J T
of

typical brachyuran type with long rostra1 and dorsal spines. The

nhdomcn in all sages havc has lateral knobs on sccund and third pleomeres. Identifying
characteristics of different zoeal stage of S. tranquebarica is given tin the Table 3
First m a : Body length 1 . I 5 mm; eyes sessile. Antenna unsegmented and hears short setac
apically. Mandible is broad with two large teeth and s m t e d edges. Maxillule with tuo
scgmcntcd endopcdite; maxilla with un-segmented endopodite; the first and second maxillipeds
hears four natatory setae. The abdomen is made up of five pleomeres. The telson bears a pair of
long dorsolatcrel spines.
Second Zaer: Body length 1.51 mm; eyes stocked; Exopodite of both maxilliped bear six

nnutory setae. Telson has a pair of small setac at the inner margin of furca.
Tabk 3: Summary of different zarl characteristics of Seylla tranquebrrtico (Ong 1967)

(mm)
Zoea 1
Zoea2

7-3

1.1
1.5
1.9

Eya
Sessile
Stalked
Sulked

Setac (2 rd
mrilliped)

4
6
9

Appeodrgerr
(thondc)

Nil
Nil
Starts

Sebc (middle
furca)

3 pairs
4 pairs
4 pairs

developing
Zoea 4
Zoca5

2.4
3.4

Stalked
Stalked

10
12

we

4 pairs+middle one

Law

5 pairs

n i r d k:
Body h g t h 1.9; Larger antmule than second zoca; antenna has developed a small
bud. Exopodite of second maxillipcd with 9 setrrc.

Forrtli Zom: Body length 2.4 mm; Antennule bears aesthets in a terminal group and a
subtminal grcwp; Flagellum of antenna elongated; first maxillipcd bears 10 natatory setae;
second maxillipcd bears 10 natatory sctae and one or two short sctae. Rudiments of third
maxillipcd appears-Abdomen has bud on pleormms 2-6. The telson grows additional setae
between the innermost pair.
Fiftb h:
Body length 3.43 mm; first maxilliped bears 1 1 long setae; second maxilliped has 12
setae. All the pereiopods are elongated and shows the signs of segmentation. Plcopod buds arc
well developed. Five pairs of setae on the telson hrca.
Megalopa: Single megalopa stage similar to other portunids; carapace length 2.1 8 mm; carapace
width 1.52 ahdominal length 1.87.The abdomen has five pair of plcopds.

Hatchery production of mud crabs

This section is dealt with three subsections: Facility, Broodstock management and
Larval rearing. For the development of mud crab hatchery, most of the shrimp hatchery can he
converted into crab hatchery.
Facilities
Broodstock and larval rearing tanks: Tanks may be made of concrete, frbreglas, or
wood lined with rubberized canvas. These can be either circular, oval. or rectangular. However,
rounded corners arc preferable due to more effective water circulation. Tank capacity may vary

from 1-10 mt for broodstock and 1-5 mt for larval rearing tanks.
Algal cultan tanks: The green phytoplankton, Chfonlla is needed for rotifer, Brachionus

Algal m k s must be shallow to allow enough light pmeeation. Barchionus are cultured in 5-10
mt tanks.

Spawning tanks: It is advantageous to have sanalla round tanks with volumes ranging from 300

to 500 L tanks where berried tanks are held and al~owedto hsdch their eggs.
Artcmh brtcbing tanks: Nauplii of Artemis a brim shrimp is protein rich organisms give to

larvae starting

stcond or

third zoea. Tank cspgcity of Artcmia varies fiom 30 to 50 L.

Rewrvoir: Storage tanks are necessary for chlorination and holding of filtered and treated water

for daily use. An elevated storage tank that can distribute seawater to other tanks by gravity is
advantages.
Seawater system: Seawater may be pumped fiom the sea or sump pit. Water is passed through

sand filter, which is usually elevated prior to storage.

Other equipmenu and rccaaork: Otha quipments and accessory such as refrigerator.

weighing balances, Refractometer. pl-l meter and drainers etc are equally important in hatcher!
opcrotions.

J:cmaies of S. tranquebarica can be obtainad form fishers or landing centres. Male

crabs are nor rquired for hatchery operations as almost all matured crabs in wild would have

mat4 (Ezilarassy and Subrarnoniam, ). Animals range in size above 500 g (S. tranquebarica) and
above 300 g (S. serrufa) should be selected for larval production. Funher, females werr
identified as being matured by their wide, dark, U- shaped abdomen fringed with setae
Immature females were typically characterized by having an abdomen resembling that of male
with slightly convex side and without sctae. Maturity can be a s d by observing through gap
at the junction of carapace and abdomen (Fig.3)

Fig.3 10 vlvo mlrrtioa of ovuh.stage ofScgU4 lunqwbdca

Tmasport: Crabs for transpart art tied with twine to render the claws immobile. They can be
kept out of wata in cadbod cartons for two days. The battom and sides of containers are lined
with damp mangrove leaves, wooden shavings, or damp sackings. As dehydration affects
survival of crabs, it should nd be subjected to drying winds during transport. Likewise exposure
of direct sunlight for long period could lower survival.
Disinfection: Under culture conditions, the ability to control disease is vital because the potential

for pathogen proliferation increases with the density of cultured animals. Formalin has
extensively been used in crustacean culture for disinfecting and disease prevention. Therefore,
newly caught animals should be disinfected with formalin to reduce the number of syrnbionts
and parasites. Formalin doses and exposure time varies widely between studies with doses
ranging from 100 ppm for I h to 50 ppm for 20 min. (see the box 1 for calculation of formalin)
Eyestalk ablation: As the occurrence of berried crabs in nature is rare, it is essential to develop
ovigerous crabs in captivity. Eyestalks are the sites of gonad inhibiting hormones and therefore
h e removal

of eyestalks accelerate the gonad development and spawning. One of the eyestalk is

removed. Intact animals can also be used as hoodstock. however, the time to p ovigerous crab
estended according to the ovarian stages of the animal. Reproductive performance of intact
animals is significantly greater in intact animals (Millanema and Quiniito 2000. Table 4)
A sandy substratum should be provided in the spawning tank. Female crabs kept in a

tank that has barc floor may often drop their eggs during spawning because eggs fail to remain
securely artached to their plcopods. Half of the broodstock tank can be provided with 10 cm sand
layer and another half can be bare floor for feeding purpose (Fig 3). Alternatively sand filled
trays can be provided (Fig 4). Crabs can be stocked at the rate of one animal per 1 mt or one per
w"

Fig 3 Brcdntcxk tank for Sqlla app. H a l f of the portion is provided with a sand!
auhrfrwtum

Fig 4: Hrtxdstt~litank of Seyffa spp sand filled basin are provided for spawning (after

Cburchi1.2003)

Box 1
To calculate how much f m d m should be added to provide a concentration of 100
Ppm
Formula:
CIVI

C2Va

CI= concentration of the formalin in the bottle

C2 = concentration of f c m a i h needed in the tank ( 1 00 ppm)
VI = Volume of the forrndi needed from the bottle
V2 = Volume of water in tank

C I= 40% of formaldehyde [i.e. 409 per100ml=400 g per1000ml=400 000 mg per 1 L

=400000 mg per 1000 g=400 000 mg per 1,000 000 mg OR 400 000 pads per mlllon
(ppm)l
C2 = 100 ppm
V l =?
V Z = 500 L or 500 000 ml

Subst~tutethe values
4OObdbpprrrX

V I -7COppmX500000ml

V I = 100ppmX9!H9000ml

-.

~ n Ann
n
-,

Treating lanfae wirh jormalin

The praun larvae in LRTs should be treated every second day with 30 ppm formalin for up to I
hour. to reduce the incidence of fungus and protozoan infestations.
Formalin may be sold almost pure (1Wh)or as a 40% solution. Read the lakl an the hottlc
to determine the concentration.
1 W04formal in represents 1,000,000 ppm
40% represents 400.000 ppm.
To calculate how much fonnalin to add to an LRT to provide a concentration of 30 ppm, use
the formula:
C1 v1= C2 v2
whm: C1 is the concentration of fonnalin in the bottle
Table 4 Reproductive performance of ablated and intact Scylla scnata (=S.tranquebarica)
(Millanema and Quintio 2000)

TrMe 4 .Reprodective pcrlorma.cc of rbhtcd and intact Scylh scmh (=S.

tnaqoetmricr) (Millamesa rad Qrimttio 2000)

No viable spawning
Mean eggs per B W
Mean eggs fertilization rate (%)
Total No of Zoea (million)
Hr~dstocksurvival (%)

8(40??)
4437

58
15.67
42

1 2(60%)
5124
80
20.49
83

Fccda and Feeding: Rroodstmks arc fed with natural feeds such as molluscs, polychaete at the

rate of 10% M y weight. IJn eaten feeds should be removed daily by siphoning the tank prior
cleaning
Water mu nape men^: Seawater wilh 28-35 ppt is used for crab hrdstock, and water in the tank

is changed daily. Sand substmle should he cleaned twice week.

Spawning and hatcbing: Crabs should be chccked daily to know whether spauning has

occurrcd or not. Once crabs spawned they arc placed in the basin containing 150 ppm formalin

for 30 min., and stocked individually in 300-500 L spawning tanks for subsequent spauming.
LawaI rearing operations
Preparation of larval tanks for stocking: The tanks should be disinfected with 200 pprn

chlorine water for 8-10 h, and scrubbed with a mixture of 200 ppm Chlorine and 5% detergent b!
using sponge pads. Then the tanks arc thoroughly rinsed with ficsh water and drained at least for
14 h. Just before filling the tanks it should be rinsed with fresh water. Before stocking

algae (Chlorella) should be added at the

rrrte

zoe3.

of 50, 000 celldml. The tank water should trc

aerated mildly. Micro algae do not provide any nutritional benefits; it may enhance the water
quality.

Acdimrtiom rmd stocking

The larvae arc estimated in the spawning tank directly. Acmtion should be taka out
before collecting the larvae, and the waste products settled down at the bottom should be

siphoned out. Only active larvae are stoked in the larval rearing tank at 10 50 individual per
litn. Active larvae are photo tactic; hence they swim up to the surface. The toea received From
the hatching tanks should be acclimatized by adding the larval tank water to the llcclimatization
basin. The acclimatized zoea can be released slowly in to the tank in small quantities.
Feeding

The most critical component of the mass larval rearing of aqua cultured s p i e s is the
standardization of feeding regime. The feeding regime fur mass rearing of ,!kylla has yet to be
standardized. Nutrition has been suggested as a possible cause of mass mortalities experienced
during the mud crab larval rearing. Absence of an optimal feeding regime may be the fore most
reason for the failure of hatchery production of mud crah larvae. Many experiments were
conducted in India and elsewhere using a variety of live feed organisms such as veliger of
oysters, copepods, rotifers, Artemia nauplii and micro algae. Trials w e n conducted using these
live feed organisms individually or in combination. Hcasman and Fielder (1983) reported their
highest survival of 26% form zoea to first crab instar when larvae fed solely on Artemia nauplii
whereas Marichamy and Rajapakyam (1991) reported a maximum survival from first zoea to
first crab instar when they used a combination of rotifer and Artemia nauplii. In India Anil and
Suseelan (1999) conducted experiments on feeding of S. tranquehurica (as S. oceanica). They
used 3 feed combinations: 1 ) frozen Ariemia nauplii, rotifcr and micro encapsulated feed 2)
Frozen Ariemia nauplii, rotifer and Chlorello and 3) .4rtemia nauplii in suspension in addition to
the fresh Anemia nauplii (15 -20 individual/ ml), rotifer (Brachionus 20 individual/ ml) with
antibacterial compound prefuran. The best survival obtained for the third combination (23%).
Although Ariemitr alone can be used and successful larval production is achicvcd by some
authors, most of the authors reported with convincing evidence that rotifcr is an indispensable
component of mud crab larval rearing. Rotifers me significantly smaller (0.5 pg and 45 -200 pm)

than Artemia nauplii (2.7 pg and 428 -5 17 pm) and less vigorous as well. Measurements of
feeding appendages of S.

serrtlto larval stages suggest

that the optimum food size for 21 larvae

ranges from 100 to 200 pm. Further, early post lamu show a ckar pnfafftce to slow moving
rotifers. There fore 21 to 22 should be provided with rotifcr. Qunintio d d 2001 suggested thar
rotifer, should be fad through out the larval rauing cycle. The maintame of mtifer culture for
a long period requires enormous nsoums, tkrdotr, use of rotifcr in larval rearing of mud crab
should be limited to the early zocal stages. Experiments conducted in Ausbaiia (Rusoe et a1
2004) indicate that although rotifers are essential for the acceptable larval survival. it can bt

removed from the feeding regime as early as third zoea. Artemia should be provided from w a n d
drry of second meal stage.

Production of phytoplankton and rotifers should be synchronized with the hatching

opention so that these are available as soon as the eggs hatched to m.Suggested feeding
regime is given in the Table 5.
Wnlcr management

Watcr exchange is the mst economical method for keeping the good water qualit!
Wate for rearing in trated with 10-20 ppm hypo chlorite and neutralized by stron aeration until
chlorinc residues have evaporated by addition of sodium thyosulfate. Water should be treated
with 5-10 ppm EDTA to chelate heavy metals. For better results water is allowed to stand for
three days uAcr neutralization before this is u d for culture. Rearing of water is replaced daily 31
50-80atb of the total volume starting day 2 or 3. Dead larvae and uneaten feeds are siphoned oul

prior to water exchange. Salinity of water may be reduced 32 ppt to 26 ppt starling u>ea 4 unt~l
mcgalopa. In some cases w i n g water is not changed but the volume is gradually increased as
lmac grow. Oncc the megalopa is reached and water is changed almost daily from 30 to 50% of
total volume. A few days prior to crab stage, nd substrate and PVC cuttings arc p l a d all over
the tank hottom for attachment and refuge.

Megalop may bc reared until the arb stage in the same larval naring tanks or may tw
t r a n s f d to nursery tank and nand until 3-5 g prior to pond stocking. Fck the crab stage, 3h

50A of water exchange is done daily.

Ihe larval rtaring protocol for mud crab is still being refined by several organizations
in India and elsewhere.It is hoped that further m m h will improve the technique so that cost of
production will be r e d u d and commercial production of seed could be visible in near future.
Table 5 Suggested h r v a k a h n n sequences and feeding and water management for mud
arb hatchery opentioa

Day

Tank

ST
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT
1,RT
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT
LRT

I
2
3
4
5
6

7
8
9

10

II
I?
13
14
IS
16
17
18
19
20
21

Cblorellr Rdiler Artemia Water

CelUml IadJml lnd. lml (%)

300
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500

ST:Spawning tank
LRT:larval rearing tank
2:Zoea

M:megalopa

2I
21

21

Z1
21
22
2
ZZ

50000
50000
50000
50000
50000
50000

23

50000
50000

23

50000

23
23
24
24
24
24
25

5Q000
500QO

Z5
Z5
M
M
M

50000
50000
5OOOO
50000
50000
50000
50000
50000
50000
50000

10-15
10-15
10-15
10-15
10-15
10-15
10-15

0.5-5
0.5-5

0.5-5
0.5-5
0.5-5
0.5-5
0.5-5
0.5-5
0.5-5
0.5-5
0.5-5
0.5-5
0.5-5
0.5-5
0.5-5
0.5-5
0.5-5

30
30
30
30
50-80
50-80
50.80
50-80
50-80
50-80
50-80
50-80
50-80
50-80
50-80
50-80
50-80
50-80
50-80

Anil, M.K. and Suseelan C. 1999. Laboratory larval rearing Md seed production of the mud crab
Scylla oceanica (Dana). Journal of Marine Biological Association of India 41 (1 L2):3845
Amola, F. J. 1940. A preliminary study of the life history of Scylla m
t
a Forskal. Philippine
Journal of Science 73: 437454
C'hurchil Ci. J. 2003. An investigation into the captive spawning. egg characteristics and egg
quality of the mud crab (Scylla serrata) in south Africa. MS thesis, Rhodes univesity
I3stampador. E. P. 1949. Scylla (Crusucca: Portunidae). I. Revision of the genus. Philippine
Journal of Science 78: 95- 108
Ikasman M. 1'. and Fielder. D.R. 1983, lwboratory spawning and mass rearing of the mangrokc
cnth, Scylla scrratu (Forskal) fmm first 7nca to first crah stage. Aquaculture 74: 303-316

Ileasman M.P., Fielder and Shepherd. R. K. 1985. Mating and spawning in the mud crab Scyllrl
serrata (Forskal). Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 36: 773-783.
Iiill, B. J. 1994. Offshore spawning by the portunid aab L';cyIlaserrata. Marine Biology. 120

379-384.
Kathirvel M. and Srinivasagarn S. 1992. Taxonomy of the mud crab, Scylla xrrata (Forskal

form India. In: Report of the seminar on mud crab culturt and trade. (ed. C. A. Angel)) Bay 01
Bengal Programme. Madras, BOBPiREP15 1 : 84-94
Keenan, C. P, Davie, P. J. F. and Mann D. L. 1998. A revision of genus Siylla de Han. 183
(Crustacea: Dccapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae). Rames Bulletin of Zoology 46: 2 17-245
Millarnena 0. M. and Quinitio, E. T. 2000 The effcct of did on reproductive petformance 01
eyestalk abla~cdand i n ~mud
t crab Scylla sermfa Aquacubre 18 1: 8 1-90
Ong, K. S. 1966. Observations on the post larval life histary of Scylla surata (Forskal), reared in

the laboratary. Malaysian Agriculture Jgumal45: 429-443

Pooviciranon S. 1992. Biological studies of the mud crab Scylla m t a (Forskal) of mangrove
ecosystem in the Andaman Sea In: Report of the seminar on mud crab culture and trade (cd. C.
A. Angell) Bay of Bengal Programme. Madras, BOBP/REP/S 1 : 49-59
Quinn, N. J. and Kojis, B. L. 1987. Reproductive biology of Scylla spp, (Crustacea: Portunidae)

from the Labu Estuary in Papua New Guinea Bulletin of Marine Science 4 1 : 234-24 1
Quinitio,, E. T. Pedro, J. de and Estepa. F. D. P. 2007. Ovarian maturation stages af mud crab
Scylla serrata. Aquaculture Research 38: 1434-1441.
Quinitio E. T, Parado-Estepa, F. D., Millamena, 0.M., Rodriguez, E. Bolongan, E. 2001.Seed

production of Mud crab Scylla semta juveniles. Asian Fisheris Scitcne 14: 16 1 174
R u m . 1. M.. Williams, G. R., and Shelley. C. C. 2004. Limiting the use of rotifers to the first

zoeal stage in mud cnb (Sq-110serruru Forskal) larval rearing. Aquaculture 23 1 : 5 17-527
Shen, Y., and Lai Q. 1W4.Present status of mnngmve cnb (Scylla serrota)(Forskal)culture in
China. Naga. The ICLARM quarterly January 1994.28-29

NURSERY REARING IN SEED PRODUCIlON OF MUD CRABS

Dr. S. K r b d a r r p a o d i r a r r d A. Parigmbi

Central lastitste of Brrekbbwrter A q u e r t h n , Cbennri

Introduction
Mud crab culture gains importance as an alternate profession to shrimp culture, which
is at present adversely affected by white spot disease. The main impediment for culture of mud

crabs is the inadequacy in stocking material. Because of the vast expansion in the activity on
mud crab culture,

existing seed demand is continued to increase tremendously. As on date.

sttxking through wild collection mcets out the requirement temporarily and panially, However.
secd-stocking can not be fulfilled with wild seedcollection as the availability i s not assured with
rcquircd quantum and funher i t is seasonal. 'I'he suitable solution to meet out the seed
requirement in optimum quantum at required period will be the mass scale seed production
under hatchery conditions.
tiarchery plays a vital mle in seed production and hatchery phase ends in the
production of mcgalopa stage. Megalopee can be marketed as such from hatcheries. In a feu
hatchcrics, rnepalopae are further reared to 10-15 days old crablets and marketed (Shaji er a/..
,?(H)(r).

Howcver, these megalopae and crablets are highly cannibalistic and have to he funher

reared to suitahle size so that their cannibalism i s minimized and reared to larger size suitable for
grow-out culture. 1 l i s type of rearing to produce .seed crabs i s called as nursery rearing and
succcss in nursery rearing cnsum stockable sized juvenile crabs for stocking in grow-out ponds.

Nursery rearing
Nursery rearing in mud crabs i s carried out in two stages as nursery phase
nursery phase

- 11.

- 1 and

During first phase, hatchery produced rncgalopae, which are very small in

size arc reared with maximum can to atlain a size of about 3 g.

further din second phase to attain 8 size o f about 25 g.

These 3-g sized crablets art

Fimt phase of aurrery rcuiag

(From MegaIqme to 3%aieed crrrblets)

Second phase of nursery rearing

(From 3-g sized crablets to 2% sized seed crab)

3O-g s h e d reed crab

Nylon n a hapas, with a size of 3 m long x 2 m wide x 1 m height, are used for stocking
and raring the megalopae as phase - 1 , Thesc hapas arc fixed inside the earthen ponds which
are of 80 to 100sq.m. in s i x and have suitabk sourrc of brackishwater. Opcn backwater area can

also bc utilized for first phase of nursery rearing by installing net hapas. Stocking was carried out
in densities, varying frnm 30 to 60nos/sq.m. in the hapas, stationed inside the nursery ponds
Nursery phase - 1 can also be carried out by stocking the megalopae or the early crablds at the
retc of 45 to 6Onoslsq.m. directly in nursery earthen ponds.
Before stocking, either in the hapas which have to be fixed in the pond or directly in thc
pond. intense preparation of the pond has to be made by removing unwanted organisms either b!
rictting or draining the water from the pond. The draining of water and exposing pond bottom to
u~nlight\ r i l l clinlitlatc unwanted organisms and ensure removal of harmful gases like h~drogen
sulphidc. In order to enrich the primary and secondary productions and stabilization of pH

01

wil. limc has to tx: applied at a rate of 1 tonneha. AAer a week, the pond has to be filled with
watcr drawn from the brackishwater source. Before letting the water into the pond, appropriate
filters have to be used to filter the incoming water and thus to prevent the entry of unwanted
I m w of fishes, crustaceans and molluscs. The drawl and release of water from the pond have to
hc carried out several time to leach out the lime. AAtr filling water for a height of 1 metre.

cvganic manure can he applied at a rate of 2 tonnesha, which will accelerate the grou~h01
phytoplankton in the rearing medium. A fencing made up of plastic sheet to a height of about
cm. should be fixed in the middle portion of the dyke to prevent the escape of reared crablet\
fmm the culture pond or the unwanted entry of weed crabs into the culture-pond. The plast~i
sheet should be buried into the dyke to a depth of about 15 cm.
In order to reduce the cannibalism among the megalopadearly juvenile crabs, bunche

of sea weed (Ciracillario rurucosa) are provided in hapas and earthen ponds as refuge system
Both megalopee and early juvenile crabs, mared in hapas stationed in earthen ponds, are
observed to take refuge among the weds, come out for f d i n g and then go back into hiding

Anificially made hide-outs made up of nylon dYlerds can also be used instead of sea weed.

The wata tanpaaturr of the pond water should be within the desirable range of 23 to
33C and salinity 10-35 ppt. Dissolved oxygen of the water should he above 4 ppm. Desirable

water pH, depth of water and transparency are 7.5-8.5.80- 100 cm and 40 cm respectively.
The rcared megalopdearly juveniles wen fad with bailed clam meat twice a day at
200 % of stackad biomass for a week and gradually reduced to 50 % in the last week of rearing.

The average size of a single megalopa is 0.003 gm and the average size attained by the end of
30-day rearing is 3 g. A random sampling can be carried out in hapas and earthen ponds on 16'
day of rearing for record of their growth pattern and health status. Final count can be made on
3 l * day of rearing. If the rearing is in hapas, the stock can be harvested by emptying the hapas
and manually separating and hand-picking the crab-lets from the seaweedhunches of nylon

threads hide-outs. The pond water has to be drained and

crablets have to be separated by

manually by hand-picking them from both pond-bottom and hide-outs. 7he expected survival is
40 to 60 O 6 in nursery phase - 1.

Nursery phase I1

The 3-g sized baby crabs which arc the end-products of nursery phase - I an further
reared in nursery phase - I1 by stocking in nursery ponds at stocking densities ranging from 2
to 20 n0dsq.m.
As done in first phase of nursery rearing, fencing with plastic sheet to a height of 40 cm
is fixed in the middle portion of the dykes to prevent the entry of intruders as well as the escape

of stocked crablets. Before stocking the pond has to be prepared as done in the first phase. Hide-

out has to be provided to reduce cannibalism which can be either of natural seaweed or artificial
nylon t h d bunches or both.
While stocking, uniform-sized crab-lets have to be selected to avoid the cannibalism.
Othencrise, iargcr-sized aab-lets may prey up on small-sized ones. Acclimation of crablets to
the salinity of rearing nursery pond will enhance the survival at stocking. Otherwise, the release
of non-acclimatised crablets will be subjected to thermal and saline stresses, which will lead to

their mortality. Before stocking, thc crab-lets are to be placed in plastic containers containing
pond watcr for 30 minutes and subscqucnt release into the pond will achieve maximum survival.
During second nursery phase, the stocked crabslets are fed twice a day. preferably in
the morning and late evening with trash fish. The rate of feeding is I O % of stocked biomass,
Sampling the stock can be done once in 15 days to record the pattern of growth and health status.
A ~nasimum monthly growth of 22.7 11imJ72.5g is recorded at a stocking density of 2nosisq.m..
wliilt. tlit. minimum rnorithly growth oE0.7 mni15.3 g is found at a stocking density of 3noslsq.m.
In thc. stocking densities of 4 to ~OIIUS~S~.III.,
the monthly growth ranges from 14.9 1nmil4.1 g to

17.7 m1nil5.1 g.

.As practiced in first phase of nursery rearing in ponds, the stock has to be harvested by
Iiand-picking tiotii the pond-bottom and hide-outs after completely draining the pond. In order to
hnndlc live seed-crabs easily afier (lie liarvest, their chelipeds are tied with body by jutelnylon
thread, to restrict tlieir arliculntion and u1i1i;lt.d for stocking in grow-out culture operation.
Second phasc of nursery rearing lasts for 45 days, by which the average size recorded was 25 g
fbr reared crabs. 'l'he expected survival is 50 to 60 O/o in nursery phase - 11.

MUD CRAR NURSERY REARTNG RRST PHASE

3lqalopa L a m e (0.003 pl ) to Farh Juvenile Cnh. (3 p )

- 30 k y r

Fixing h a p a in the prepared nursery pond

Stocking megalopae in hapas

Rshv crmh ts king rhelter in the seaweed hideout provided inside the hapa

After 30 days m r i n g , harvesting 3 g: earfy javenilm

MUD CRAB NURSERY REARING

- SECOND PHASE

Rearing early juveniks (3 g) to juvenile of stocking swx (25 g) - 45 days

N u m r y Pond Preparation

3 g seed stocking:

After 45 d a y maring. h a w e f i g 25 g jlrvmiks

MUD CRAB GROW OUT CULTURE

C.P Bshsmbrrmralrr rlld S. Kuhdpnipnndirn
C t ~ t r rIIstfnte
l
of Brackisbwrter Aqucrtture, Cbennri

Mud crabs arc one of thc most traded aquaculture crops The pond b a d f m i n g of
mud crab has been practicing in China for at least 100 years and more than 30 years in Asian
countries (Balalio 2004). Howwer, the mud crab was an incidental or secondary crop in shrimp
and milk fish f m i n g until recently. Owing to the high market value and profitability, the
aquaculture of mud crab has received impetus in early 1990s. Considerable efforts have been
made in the last few years to develop effective grow out technology for mud crab, Any
aquaculture industry is m m p d of t h m sequential phases: seed production, nursery and grow
out. This lecture note covers various aspects of grow out procedure of mud crabs. Pond based
aquaculture system of mud crab comprises two approaches: I) renting of juva~ilccrabs until
marketable size and 2) fattening of recently molted crabs (Fig I ).
Crow out: Rearing of juvenik embs

Farm design
Rectangular ponds with a size ranging from 250 m2 to 10,000 m2 ( 1 ha) area is suitable
for mud crab pond construction. Essentially, any shrimp farm cab be modified into mud crab
farm. Although mud crabs are found to be tolerate wide range of salinity from 0 ppt to 40 ppt,
salinity above 34 ppt and below 10 ppt are found to be less suitable for pond culture. If there is a
probability to enhance salinity above the optimum level in summa months, it is recommended to
reduce the salinity by diluting with fresh water (Balalio 2005). However according to regulations
of Coastal Aquaculture Authority rules it is not acceptable.

The crab ponds should have a minimum water dcptb of 1 m and further, each pond
should have -12 earthen mounts (- 5 m3). The top surface of these mounts should be above the
water surhcc (Fig 2). These mounts an breathing space for crabs whm dissolved oxygen level

of ponds drops below the optimum level. The ponds must be f

d with nylon netting to

pent tbe escape of crabs, ad it should be extmding minimum 50 cm above the water line.

Further, a strip of plastic should be hstaJldd over tht fence (about 30 an width, Fig 3). Thc
lower side of the netting is embedded 10 an below tht base of enclosure.

Pond preparation stmegies generally employed in shrimp1 prawn aquaculture can also

bc adoptcd in mud crab aquaculture. However, it is generally believed that meticulous and
stringent pond preparation is not required. The installations like net fencing, earthen mounts

should be considered. Pond should be drained and kacp it for 1 week. If it is not drainable pond.
the pest should be eradicated by applying tea seed cake or powder (I 5 to 30 ppm).
Ihe procedure adopted by farrnm for pond preparation is not available as in the case of
shrimp quaculture. ticre we provide a protocol used by SEAFDEC researchers in their
experimental culture ( ~ r i n oet a1 2004). It can be modified according to the site and location of
rhc farm, Liming and f'cailization is the best way to increase the natural productivity of pond
Liming enhance the general health of the pond ecosystem. There arc several types of liming
material, and most common being agricultural lime stone, burnt lime and hydrated lime. Of thex
abyicultural lime is found to be best, and it can be applied at the rate of 1 mt per ha. Inorganic
fcrtilims are applied to increase the phytoplankton productivity in shrimp aquaculture ponds.
however, the utility of fertilization in crab aquaculture is not evaluated. It is however essential
when crab aquaculture is integrated with seaweed culture. Fertilization with urea at the rate of 25
kgha and ammonium phosphate at the rate of 50 kg/ha is recommended.

TmnsportPtioa and stocking

Fanners of mud crab rely on small crabs or juveniles (25-50 g) sourced from inter tidal
flats, estuaries and mangmve to stock grow-out ponds. Handling, packing and transport activities

arc stress to animals. Nevcrdwless, cmb juveniles an relatively easy to transport by using cane
basket, carton lined with moist sea weeds or mangrove laves (Fig 3). Chelae an tied to pmeN

fighting among crabs. In air, mud crabs hay a life span of 2-18 days when packed with moist
marine algae, cotton or wood h v i n p (Vlsudao, RB and K-i,

HC. 1960. Transporr of

the common cmb Scylla scnata in living condition. I n d i i J. Fish. 7: 169-173). Stocking should
be d m with saads having inbd rppandrges, and witbout injury, ~IKI
furtha scads should k sl

uniform size. Differartid sizr Itads to carmibalism. Seeds should be stoked when water
temperature is low; awiy morning or late evening preferably night. Stocking density in mud cnb
culture is generally far less than the shrimp fanning. '& stocking density has a major effbct on
crab growth, survival and production, and it is gemrally ranged between 0.5 and 3 crabsl m2.
Several experiments w m carried out to assess the optimum stocking density in mud crab
aquaculture. Trino a a1 (1999) from Philippines compared the effect of three levels of stacking
density (0.5, 1.5, and 3. 0 crabsf m2) on the growth performance of mixed species of mud crabs,
Srylla serrara and ScyIIa rranqrrehan'ca (larger forms). Although then was no significant

difference in the growth rate among different stocking density groups, highest harvest size,
survival and efficient FCR were significantly higher at the lowest stocking density, and they
concluded that mud crab culture at 0.5 and 1 .S crabs1 m2is economically viable.
Nutrition and feeding

Despite the growing interest of mud crab aquaculture, formulated diets for grow-out
mud crabs have yet to be available, although research institutes like ClBA and CMFRl are at the
various stages of commercialization of formulated crab feed. Management of fwd is the most
crucial element for successful aquaculture as feed is the major input of crustacean aquaculture.
Feed accounts for 40 - 50% total operating cost (Trino d al 1999).
Natural diet of mud crab mainly includes crustacea and mollusks, whereas fin fish
remnants are found to be very scarce. This is mainly due to the inefficiency of crabs to prey upon
the fast moving preys. In the grow out c u h n management, locally available cheap protcin

sources (trash fish, mollusks ) at the rate of 8-1W of biomass can be given. The crabs can be fed
a mixed diet of 25% fish bycatch (trash fish) and 75% fresh flesh of mollusca or crustacea. Crab
biomass can be estimated as the product of m a n body weight of stocks in the enclosun and
percentage survival. Linear decrease of 5% at way 15 days can be used as an assumed survival

(Rodriguez a al2003). An example for f d calculation is given in the Table (I). Rodriguez et a1
(2003) M a report that better growth for mud crabs obtained when fed with molluscan meat
than trash fish, although results an not significant. While comparing the production performance

of mud crabs using dYet different f d treatments, crustaceans, trash fish and without faad,
Christensen et al (2004) found no significant d i f f k r w among the treatments. They concluded

that m d o ~ u biota
s of c

u h system contributes a signifiamt level of nutrition to crab as their

data does not show any significant diffaarce fed and unfad pond ponds. They also assumed that
f a d input may ddcriorate dre pond conditions of fed pond and it may be the reason for ION
stuvival of aabs in these ponds.

Table 1. Eurnpk of fed crkuhtior at two ploatb OM mad crab farm after docking 1 ha
p a d wltb SO00 crrbr

Weight of the crab after two months (g) : I SO

Eaimatcd survival (%)

: 80

Thus total number of crabs in the pond

: 5000 X 80?!i=4000

Total biomass

: 4000 X 150=600000g or 600 kg

Fecding rate (%)

: 90

Ihus total quantity of fwd to he given

: 600 X

W?O
= 54 kg

Water quality charrctcrbtics

Thc water depth should be maintained at 80-100 cm level. The water should be
replmished regularly, Rodrigueiz et al 92003) and Trino et al (1999) suggest that water should
be exchanged three consecutive days during the spring tide. Generally water should be refieshed

a! the rate of 40% during the first months, 50% during the second month and 60% during thr
third month. Water quality characteristics should be monitored regularly. The acceptable
optimum level of water quality chanrcteristics are given in the Table 2. If water quality remains
within the optimum level, the water exchange is not q u i d .

Table k Tbe rcccptrbk optimum water quality kwh in mud crab grou out ponds
Varhk

T a n p e r m CC)
T~-Y
(cm)

PH
Dissolved oxygen @pm)
salinity (ppt)
Total alkalinity @pm)
Dissolvad inorganic phosphate
Nitrate - N wpm)
Nitrite - N @pm)
Ammonia - N @pm)
Cadmium @pm)
Chromium @pm)
Copper ( P P ~ )
Lead (ppm)
Mercury (ppm)
Zinc (ppm)

Range
23 - 33
25 - 45
7.5 - 8.5

>3
10 - 35
200
0.1 0.2
0.03

~0.01

cO.0 1
~ 0 . 10
<O.1
<0.025
0.1
fl-O.OOQ I

4.I

Harvest and post harvest

Culture period is generally 3 to 6 months and is dctmnincd mainly by the size at

stocking and the preference and demand, existing in the market. Culture period may be restricted
to 60 days, if the crabs having a size of about 250 gm are preferred in the market. Culture
duration will be 150 days for S. trunquebarica from an initial size of 25 g to a harvestable size
of 350 - 450 g, if the stocking density is 1 crab per m2. To obtain a harvestable size of 800-1000
g the culture has to be extended funher up to 7 months. For Scylla serrata, culture duration will

be 120 days with an initial size of 25 g and harvestable size of 200-300 g if the stocking density

will be 1 crab per m2 . To obtain larger sizes (400-500 g), culture period can be extended to

further 3 months. Harvest of crabs can be effectively done in a tide-fed pond by letting in water
through the sluice gatc into the pond during incoming tide. As the water flushes in, mud crabs
tend to swim against the incoming water and congregate near the sluice gate from when they

can be caught with the help of a scoop net. Partial b e s t can be made with baitad lift nets and
bamboo cagabps. To haw a total ad cumplece harvest, crabs ere to be handpicked after

completely draining tbc c u h pond. Crabs should be tied immediately after their capcure in

order to curb thcir movement and to avoid the fishting m

g thansclves and thereby losing

their legs. Tying is a process in which a nyWjute drnd is placed in bewear the h t a l portion
of thc body and thc chelipeds and is coikd around t&ir fingers after keeping the chelipeds in
folding posture and subsequently both enQ of the h e a d is put into a double knot at the rear end
of the crab. the ''water crabswencountered in the final harvest can be utilized for fattening

purpose. The tied-up crabs are to be initially wash4 witb fresh sea water and subsequently sent
for local marketing after packing them in bamboo baskets, in which, they arc kept in layers
altmatively with materials such as wet seaweads or moist wood shavings or cotton soaked with
sea water to keep the crabs in cool and moist condition. Those crabs exported in live condition.

a n given a fnsh sca water dip and packed in p c r f d thtnnocole boxes for air shipment. The
expected survival rate during culture would be around 70 to 80 %. Mud crabs are generally sold

in live condition for both local consumption and live crab export trade. For the purpose of
marketing, the mud crabs arc graded as "extra large" ( I kg and above), "large" (500 g to less
than I kg), "medium" (300 g to less than 500 g) and "small" (200 g to less than 300 g). Thc
female crabs with fully developed ovary are usually sold for a higher price. Live and meaty mud
crabs weighing ahove 300 g an considered for export, while the undersized live crabs (less than

1100 g) and those live crabs which have lost their legs an sold in local markets. While marketing.
about 20 % mortality is observed when the transport is by sea whereas transport by air reduces
the mortality to about 5 to 10 %. Packing in ventilated and insulated containers instead of
cardboard boxes, with 95 % relative humidity and 16 - 20' C temperature, will reduce the
mortality of the mud crabs during transit up to 7 days and thereby reduce the mortality during
transport.
Crow out: Fatttaiag of mud crab

Then art controversies to include crab fattening as a form of aquaculture (Pillai a al

2004). However, historically mud crab 4~~ probably stlvted as crab fattening. It is a wa!
to improve the value of catch by holding them for a short paiod to improve the markctabitit!
(Ovaton and Macintosh, 1997). Grow out culture of mud cmb in many cascs m l y fattening of
wild cnbs in ponds or cages as little as 20 to 30 days. Tbc terminology of fanerring has nceivcd
a confused meaning among public. F-iag
is only i n W to allow crabs to develop firm
flesh and hardened shells. In some cases to produce ege crrbb; hae fenrale crabs that show earl!

signs of gonad development are held until the gonad get matured. Essentially fattening improves
the quality of crab meat and in turn the marketability of the products,
Dcscriptioa of farming

General farming practices an identical to the grow-out basad on juvenile crabs except
in the culture duration and size chanrcteristics of the stocking material. Recently molted crabs
that are unacceptable to the export market arc used as 'sead' for stocking. The pond enclosures
are smaller than the juvenile rearing ponds (100-200 m2),However pond netting and fencing arc

essentially identical to juvenile b a d g r o w a t system. The animals an fed with molluscan or

fish by catch at the rate of 5-10% of biomass. Water is rrplenishcd once in 15 days depending on
the availability of water source. Selective harvesting is canied out, and thus, fattening program
is continuous through out the year. Performance of mud crab reared for one month in Chilka
lagoon is given in the Table 2.

Table 3. Summary of tbe experimental fattening of mud crab conducted in C b i l h lagoon

Orissa

Volw

Parameter
No of crabs stoked

61

No recovered

52

---

Mean initial weight (g)

Mean final weight (g)
Mean percent weight gain

.-

5 19

529

Pond f m i n g is found to be tconomically viable quaculture form through out the

regions where it is being operated. After pond fattening, the market price of the crab increases to

at least Rs 100-1 I0 per kg. Taking an average pice of 110 and 230 Rs pcr Kg for water and
faaened crabs, rtspectivcly, indicates the gross profa per kg of crabs harvested is about 1 10%.

Conclusion
Aquaculture is generally equated with the intensive salmon culture in developing
countries and penaeid shrimp aquaculture in developing countries. These culture practices are
generally technology driven practices, however there are aquaculture systems which can support
the poverty alleviation program and can popularize through participatory approach. The mud
crab aquaculture is one of the best forms of rural aquaculture which has the potential for
improving the rural villages of the tropics.
Presently crab aquaculture is predominated by raising wild caught juveniles to
~uarketablesize. Although there are several disadvantages for this form of aquaculture, for
example, variability in number of animals to be utilized for grow out, no scope for further
sophistication and potential effects on ecosystem stemming from mortality of bycatch and
re~novalof prey from the food chain, mud crab farming is relevant and useful at least as a
transient link between small scale aquaculture and industrialized aquaculture. The advantages of
mud crab farming based on wild caught juveniles are manifold: availability of seed stock, which
is naturally selected, less occurrence of disease and further broader economic benefits including
the opportunities for coastal dwellers in developing countries. In addition, responsible capture
and culture of wild juveniles improves the fishery of target species by circumventing the high
rate of natural mortality associated wit settlement of post larvae.

Rearing Period (weeks)

Rearing period (days)

Fig I Diagrammatic representation of two forms of gmw oat colhre (A) m r i n g from
juvenile to marketable rim and R) fattening of adalt cmb; note that size variation is not
occurred in thia form of rearing

Fig 2. Mud crab gmw out system showing earthen mounts and hide outs (arrows)

Fig Mud crab transportation

JY

-=
-:='
0

::
: sm

5
3
C

'

=
Sn

322
90

',

s - 1 ~ d.mw (-9

-E 'm

70

- ,

:s o '40
V)

2c.
10

--

-(I

1 >'

I'

Slocklng demlly (ndm')

'
(I =,

1 3'

Stocklng bn.)ty ( w m n

05

-ung

,'

3'

hmny (n-3

Figure 1: Production characteristics of mixed species culture of mud crab (Scylla serrata
and Scylla tranquebarica) at different stocking density

Shelley, C. 2008 Captwe based aquaculture of mud crabs (Scylla spp.). In A. Lovatelli and P. F.
Iiolthus (eds). Captun b a d aquaculture. Global ovaview, FA0 Fisheries Technical paper. No
508, Rome, FAO. Pp 255-269.

Kman, CP and Blackshaw, A. 1999. Mud 'crab aquaculture and biology. Proceedings of an
international scientific forum held in Darwin, Australia ACIAR proceedings, pp. 2 16
Christcnsen et a1 2005. Pond production of mud crabs Scylla paramamosain and S. olivacea
(Herbst) in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, using two different supplementary diets. Aquaculture
Research 35: 1013-1024

MUD CRAB PRODUCTION, MARKETING AND ECONOMICS

Dr. S. M. PilW
Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chtnnai.
Mud crab farming is fast catching up as a commercial activity and it is carried out
either as culture of juvenile crags to harvestable size in grow-out systems or fattening of water
crabs for a short duration to become hard shelled ones for harvest and sale. Two species of mud
crabs Scylla tranqueban'ca and S .serrata are cultured on commercial scale in a limited way in
our country. Mud crab farming is a significant business through out South East Asia, though it is
still based on harvesting of juvenile crabs or crablets from the wild or rearing of recently molted
crabs for a short duration until they reach marketable quality. Crab farming probably started as a
way to improve the value of catch by holding them for short or long periods, as the case may be,
to make them value added products. As a family level occupation or a rural form of aquaculture
mud crab farming opened the avenues for its growth with assured market and proved to be quite
profitable. However, crab aquaculture as an industry is far from the reality. In 1990s, seed and
feed production were recognized as the major impediments for the development of crab
aquaculture. Significant research developments have since then been achieved especially during
the last few years on the hatchery production of seed and feed development, although many
aspects of seed and feed technology are still to be fine tuned. This lecture note provides the
various aspects of production, marketing and economics of mud crabs.
Mud cmb production
FA0 production data on fanned mud crabs is available from 1950 onwards. The
production of mud crabs from aquaculture has improved tremendously from less than thousand
tonnes in 1950 to more than one hundred thousand tonnes in 2007 (Fig.]). However, the basic
technology of mud crab production has not attained the level of an enterprise. Basically there are
two approaches for mud crab grow-out production: i).rearing of juveniles up to the marketable
size and ii).fattening. Whilst juvenile rearing of mud crabs is essentially similar to shrimp and

finfish farming, fattening is intended to allow the crab to develop a h e r flesh and harder shell.
Although there an controversies to include fattening as a form of aquaculture, mud crab

fattening is an important element in the rural economy of many Asian countries since the larger
volume of crabs come from f m i n g process then culture systems.

Fig.1. Global aquaculture production of mud crabs

Farm productivity of mud crab is mainly based on stocking density. Culture trails have
shown that mud crabs in terms of growth and survival performed better at lower stocking
densities (0.5 to1.5 crab/m2). The growth performance of mud crab under different stocking
densities is given in Table 1. Mud crabs showed higher survival and FCR when cultured at lower
densities (0.5 crab/m2).Experimental results on the effwt of various f a d (fnsh feed) and mono
sex c u l m have been published. Generally it is accepted that both trash fish and shell fish can be
used as live feed without significant variation on the growth performance. Although mono sex

cultun does not have significant advantage over mixed sex culture, it is suggested that mono sex
culture of males is advantageous Ova mono sex culture of females. Similarly the effect of
I

harvest regimen (bimonthly selective hamest vs single terminal harvest) on the produaion of

mud crab was evaluated (Rodriguez et al 2003). Survival rate and net production was
significantly higher when crabs are subjected to bimonthly selective harvesting.
Pond fattening of mangrove crabs in India and other Asian countries is proved as an
economically viable aquaculture venture even if therc is a modest loss of stock biomass. In India,
the current price of molted crabs sold by fishenen/middle men to crab pond operators is Rs 120-

180 per kg. After pond fattening, the market price of crabs increases to at least Rs 250 to 300 per

kg.

Tablel: Production performance of mud crab at different stocking densities in Philippines

(Trino et aL 1999).

Variables
Final harvest weight (g)
Final carapace width (mm)

SGR (%)
FCR
Survival (%)
Production

Stocking densities
0.5 crab/m2 1.5 crab/m2 3 crab/ m2

401.23
126.5
3.23
2.2
98.2
1620

380.32
125.7
3.13
3.9
56.7
2838.6

366.83
125.6
3.00
6.2
30.6
3278.6

The production performance of mud crab reared for 30 days in Chilka lagoon by CIBA
is given in Fig. 2. Although the average weight gain is not very high, the survival rate and profit
margin is appreciable.

Production of Scylla tranquebarica reared in pens in Chilka lagoon, Orissa.

Marketing

Mud crabs are generally sold in live condition for both local consumption and live crab
export trade. For the purpose of marketing, the mud crabs are graded as "extra large" (1 kg and
above), "large" (500 g to less than 1 kg), "medium" (300 g to less than 500 g) and "small" (200
g to less than 300 g). The female crabs with fully developed ovary are usually sold for a higher
price. Live and meaty mud crabs weighing above 300 g are considered for export, while the
undersized live crabs (less than 300 g) and those live crabs which have lost their legs are sold in
local markets. While marketing, about 20 % mortality is observed when the transport is by sea
whereas transport by air reducts the mortality to about 5 to 10 %. Packing in ventilated and
insulated containers instead of cardboard boxes, with 95 % relative humidity and 16 - 20' C
temperature, will reduce the mortality of the mud crabs during transit up to 7 days and thereby
reduce the mortality during transpot

Economics
Table 2. Economics of ScyUa tmnquebarica culture in 0 3 ha pond (Kathirvel d a1 2003)
A Fixed cost
Pond lease amount for one year
Pond development
Sluice gate, screens and fencing materials
Watchman shed
Miscellaneous
Total
B Operational cost for 1 crop of four months
Seed crabs 2000 numbers (80-1 00 g); total stocked biomass: 180 kg
Feed: Trash fish; feeding rate (5-10%) of stocked biomass; total quantity required
for 120 days of culture: 2888 kg (Rs15 per kg)
Labor: 2 labors for 4 months
Pond maintenance
Miscellaneous
Total

8000
1000
2000
64200

C Income
Production at 70% survival; 1400 crabs; average size: 450 g; 530 kg; Rs 180 per kg
D Gross profit for one crop (C-B)
E Gross profit for two crops per year
F Net profit (after allowing 20% interest on capital cost)

113400
49200
98400
84400

10000
43200

There are number of research reports on the economic performance of mud crab
aquaculture, although most of them are based on the grow-out of juvenile crabs collected from
the wild. Hatchery production of mud crab seed is relatively recent, and it is available only in
few countries. Wherever it has been practiced, mud crab culture has proved that it is a viable
venture. In India Kathirvel et a]. (2003) reported the economics of mud crab culture, and stated
that with capital investment of Rs. 35 0001- and operational cost of Rs.64, 200, gross profit of

Rs. 49,2001 for one crop of 4 month period can be achieved (Table 2). Although fattening of
mud crab has several limitations such as constraints in obtaining water crabs, it is found to be
more economically viable than rearing the juvenile crabs. Kathirvel ef al. (2003) r e a l i d a net
profit of Rs.86 600 (Table 3) from crab fattening.

Table 3. Fattening of ScyUo tranquebarica in 0 2 ha pond (Katbirvel d el. 2003)

A Fbed cost
Pond lease amount for one year
Pond development
Sluice gate, screens and fencing materials
Watchman shed
Miscellaneous
Total

B Operational cost for 1 crop of four months

Water crabs 500 numbers (250-350 g); total stocked biomass: 150 kg; stocking rate 2 11250
crabs per sq. m; (Rs75 pr kg)
Feed: Trash tish; feeding rate (10%) of stocked biomass; total quantity required for 30 6750
days of culture: 450 kg (Rs I5 per kg)
lo00
Labor: 1 labor for 1 months
Miscellaneous
1000
Total
20000
C Income

Production at 80% survival; 400 crabs; average size: 400 g; 160 kg; Rs 180 per kg
D Gross profit for one crop (C-B)
E Gross profit for ten crops per year
F Net profit (after allowing 20% interest on capital cost)

28800
8800
88800
86600

DEVELOPMENT OF ARTIFICIAL FEED FOR FATTENING AND

GROW-OUT CULTURE OF MUD CRABS .
KArnbasankrr, S. Ahamad Ali & J. Syama h y a l
Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai.

In India, mud crabs are extensively exploited from inshore seas and estuarine areas and

are always in demand due to their larger size, delicacy, medicinal value and export trade. Scylla
serrara and Scylla tranquebarica are the two important mud crab species for Brackishwater
aquaculture. These species are cultured with other species as a secondary or tertiary crop in the
traditional tide fed fish farming systems of Brackishwater in India. Recently the fattening and
grow-out farming systems of mud crab monoculture is increasingly popular in the maritime
states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Availability of seed
and appropriate feed are two important prerequisites for the aquaculture of any species. After
considerable efforts and extensive research Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture
succeeded in captive brood stock development and completion of life cycle of mud crabs.
Researches on nutritional requirements and development of suitable formulated feeds have been
in progress simultaneously at CIBA for the last ten years that lead to the development of feed for
fattening and grow out culture feed for this species. The feeds developed at CIBA have been
validated through field testing for fattening and grow out culture for the first time in India (Ali.
et al., 2008). In this chapter the details of nutrional requirement of this species and feeding for
fattening and grow out culture are described in detail.
Conventional feedstuffs used for crab culture were trash fish, clam and mussel meat,
and gutted waste from fish processing plants.However, special care has to be considered to avoid
deteroriation of water quality. Since the conventional feedstuffs chopped trash fish and other
natural biological materials decay rapidly and lose nutrients if if not consumed when fresh, it is
necessary to freeze it for later use. In addition the problem of regular availability restricts its
usefulness as a regular diet for commericial aquaculture of mud crabs. With the availability of
I

hatchery produced seed for this species there is marked significance for formulated feed for these
species. Further, feed cost ranges fiom 50-70 per cent of total variable costs of production in

aquaculture any aquacultwe enterprise, it would be highly desirable to develop an efficient diet
to improve profitability. How-Cheong et ol., (1992) observed that formulated diets were well

accepted by mud crabs and hence thm is ample scope fw development of formulated cost
effective feeds.
Nutritional requirements
Mud crabs are regarded as omnivorous scavengers that feed on a variety of benthic
organisms, but they cannot be placed in any one trophic level because they are generally
opportunistic feeders. Mud crabs are not well adapted to capturing moving prey. Their natural
food consists mainly of molluscs, followed by crustaceans. Investigations on mud crabs have
been mainly concentrated on lipid and essential fatty acid requirement with few attempts on
protein and carbohydrate nutrition. Mineral and vitamin nutrition of mud crab is still a virgin
area and needs further research for developing a balanced formulated feed.

Lipid
Lipids are required in crustacean diets as an important source of energy, essential fatty
acids, sterols, phospholipids and fat-soluble vitamins. An appropriate supply of these nutrients is
particularly critical during larval development, where a series of important morphological,
physiological and biochemical changes take place and necessary for normal growth and survival
of all animals, Growth did not differ in mud crabs fed diets containing 5.3-13.8% lipid with a

basal protein level of 48% (Sheen and Wu, 1999). Four fatty acids are essential for crustaceans;
linoleic (18:2n6), linolenic (18:3n3), eicosapentanoic (205113) and decosahexanoic (22:6n3)
including crabs. In general, plant oils are high in 18: 2n6 and 18: 3n3, while the marine oils are
high in 20: 5n3 and 22: 6n3. Phospholipids are essential for crustaceans including shrimp.
Soybean lecithin is often used to meet the phospholipids requirement

Cholesterol is an important sterol, serving as a precursor for many physiological

compounds such as sex and molting honnoms, adrenal corticoids, bile acids and vitamin D.As
crustaceans are incapable of de novo prQduction of cholesterol, dietary cholesterol is essential for
optimum growth and high swival in crustaceans. Five semi-purified, iso-nitrogenous and isoenergetic MBD containing cho~cstcdlevels fbm 0.14% to 1.W/odin

&eight wem t c d

and the results showed that megalopae from all treatments wen able to metamorphose to the first
crab stage, suggesting that the endogenous level of cholcstt~,lin the basal diet (0.14%) was
sufficient to meet dietary requirements. 0.80% total dietary cholesterol was suggested as
optimum in semi-purified diets for S. serrata megalopa The cholesterol requirement of mud
crabs was also studied by Sheen (2000), by following growth, moult frequency and survival on
diets with varying cholesterol levels. It was found that crabs on diets without added cholesterol
had low weigh gain, and the lowest moulting frequency and survival of all treatments. Dietary
cholesterol levels over 1.12% had an adverse effect on growth. The optimal dietary level of
cholesterol was determined to be0.5 1% (5.1 gikg).

Effects of varying dietary levels of lecithin and cholesterol on growth, development and
survival of megalopa using semi-purified MBD containing three levels of supplemental lecithin
(0.0,2.0 and 4.0?diet dry weight) and two levels of supplemental cholesterol (0.0 and 0.7% diet
dry weight). Highest survival (60%) was recorded for megalopae fed diets containing the highest

levels of dietary lecithin regardless of whether diets were supplemented with cholesterol, and this
rate of survival was identical to that of megalopae fed live Artemia nauplii. The experiment
indicated that supplemental dietary cholesterol may not be essential for mud crab megalopae
when fed a diet containing fish oil and sufficient levels of supplemental dietary phospholipids.
Six iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous MBD containing 6% total lipid were formulated to contain
fish oil and corn oil either singly or in various ratios (0: 1, 1:2,2: 1,3: 1, I :0, 1:l).Results from this
experiment indicate that the optimal fish oiVcorn oil ratio is around 1:l when oil is supplied at a
level of 6% of total diet dry weight. The study further showed that complete replacement of fish
oil with corn oil in the formulated diet resulted in a high occurrence of MDS-related mortality,
indicating an essential dietary requirement for >C 18 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA),and
a link between n-3 HUFA availability and the occurrence of MDS,
The fatty acid composition was relatively stable throughout larval development,
acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:ln- 9), arachidonic acid
dominated by palmitic acid (16:0), stearic
(20:4-n-6, AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3,
DHA). A substantial increase in linolenic acid (18:3n-3, LNA) levels was recorded in zoea V

larvae, a result probably linked to the elevated LNA content in enriched Artemia meta-nauplii
used as food for later stage larvae.

Recently, several yx,rts have appeared in the literature that focuses on nutrition of
mud crabs. Sheen and Wu (1999) investigated the effect of dietary lipid levels on growth of
juvenile crabs. Using a mix of cod liver oil and corn oil, they determined th! dietary levels of

between 5.3 and 13.8% appear to meet the needs of the crabs. Interestingly, the upper level found
was the highest tested, and showed no reduction in growth compared to that in P. monodon
found by Glmcrosset al. (2002). It is quite possible that mud crabs can tolerate, or actually
require, a higher level of dietary lipid than does P. monodon. The relationship between protein
and lipid was investigated in a factorial design (3 protein levels and 2 lipid levels) experiment by
Catacutan (2002), measuring growth and body composition responses to the diets. The
conclusions were that the crabs grew well on diets containing 32 or 40% protein and 6 or 12%
lipid, at dietary energies fiom 14.7to 17.6 MJ/kg. Diets with high PW ratios (3 1.1 mg proteinkJ)
or high dietary energy (18.7 MJIkg) were not well utilised by the crabs. Millarnena and Quinitio
(2000) investigated the effects of diet on reproductive performance of female mud crabs. Using

three dietary treatments, a natural diet (meat from squid, mussel and fish), a formulated artificial
diet, and a 5050 mixture of the two, they concluded that a mixture of the two diets gave the best
results overall in terms of fecundity, egg hatchability and larval survival.

Protein
Proteins are the major component of most tissues in living organisms in terms of dry
weight. They perform essential roles and as enzymes are vital for metabolism. In a preliminary
study by Chin et al. (1992), reported that Scylla sewata require 3540% dietary protein. Research
carried out ACIAR revealed that optimum growth rate and feeding efficiencies were achived in
with diets containing 4247% crude protein. However in intensive culture maximum growth rate
was observed using a formulated diet containing 55% cmde protein andl5% lipid. Amino acids

are the building blocks of proteins. Although animals have maintained the ability to synthesize
certain amino acids & now, they must obtain the other amino acids fiom the diet. The dietary
essential amino acids are indispensable in the feed they arc arginine, histidie, isoleucine,
leucine, lysine, methionine, phenyl alanine, thrconine, tryptophan and valine. Determination of
quantitative essential amino acids requirement in mud crabs help in assessing the protein
requirement mon accurately. Sheen and WU(1999) and Sheen (2000) reported good growth and
survival when mud crab juveniles were fed a diet containing 506/0 lipid-free casein, and

Gcnodepa et al. (2004) reported that an MBD containing 39.7?? squid meal and 39.7% rotifer
meal provided good growth and survival in feeding trails at the megalopa stage. For juvenile

mud crabs, Catacutan (2002) reported that good growth was obtained when crabs were fed diets
containing 3240% protein, while reduced growth was noted when juveniles were fed higher
levels of protein. These findings indicate that S. serrata larvae, like penaeid larvae, may have a
dietary protein requirement that is higher than that reported for juvenile and adult stages.

I
Energy
Carbohydrates are considered the least expensive form of dietary energy for animals,
but their utilization in crustaceans is limited. In the absence of adequate dietary carbohydrates or
lipids, crustaceans will utilize protein to meet their energy needs. When adequate energy is
available, the protein will be utilized for growth. This relationship between protein and
carbohydrates has been referred to as the protein-sparing action of carbohydrates, There are very
few studies at present on the carbohydrate needs in the diet of crabs.
Mud crabs require energy for growth, muscle activity and reproduction. Aquatic
animals are believed to have a lower requirement of energy as they do not have to maintain a
constant body temperature (poikilothermic) and are ammonicotelic, as result of which less
energy is lost in protein catabolism and excretion of nitrogenous wastes. Mud crab, Scylla

serrata, grows well at dietary energy ranging from 3.5 1- 4.20 k cal g (Catacutan, 2002).
Nutrient Digestibility
A study on digestibility of nutrients in feed components of mud crab diets has

(Catacutan et al. 2003) shown some very encouraging findings. Using 30% inclusion levels in a
reference diet, these workers measured the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of some
animal products including fish meal, squid meal, Acetes sp. and meat and bone meal; and some
plant products including soybean meal, corn meal, wheat flour, Ace bran and copra meal. The
digestibility of feeds found in the study indicates that mud cmbs can digest a wide range of
nutrients. ADC of dry matter was between 88.3 and 93.6%, except for meat and bone meal
(85.2%) that has a high (34% by weight) ash content. In all cases,protein digestibility was high,
between 94.3% (copra meal) and 97.6% (squid meal). Fat digestibility was more variable, and

generally highcr in the diets that contained plant products Fibre digestibility in all the plant
faedstuffs was very high in the range from 94.4% to 96.1%. This may indicate that the crabs
have some capacity to digest fibre, either by metabolising it as energy source, or breaking down
plant cellular structures to liberate the cell contents for betta digestion. Similar observation of
higher drymatter, protein and energy digestibility of plant based nutrients was reported by Tuan
et a1.(2006). This observation of higher digestibility of conventional and plant based ingredients
was confirmed by the digestibility trials conducted by CIBA.

Summary of nutrient requirements for mud crabs

Nutrient

Requirement in the diet

Protein

35-50%

Lipid

5.3-13.8%

Energy

3.5 1-4.20 k caUg

Protein : Energy ratio

97.91- 115.06 mg proteink cal

Cholesterol

0.51%

FEEDS AND FEEDING OF MUD CRABS

Formulated feeds for grow out culture of mud crabs
Semi-moist dough and dry pellet feeds formulated using commonly available feed
ingredients of both marine and plant origin were prepared and tested for mud crabs at CIBA.
Crabs are found to prefer dry pellet feeds over semi-moist feeds. Experiments at this laboratory
revealed that feeding at the rate of 3% of body weight satisfies the feed requirements of mud
crabs. International scenario reveals that current fctds and feeding practice used in the pond
grow-out of mud crabs is largely derived from marine pawn culture. Prawn feeds, sourced
locally and internationdty, are predominately used with multiple feeding times throughout the
day and the major issues quire fwther refinement to develop formulated feeds are

>

Loss of small particulate matter during the process of crab feed consumption

>

Pellet size should be bigger than the shrimp feed and size based on crab size

>

Slow feeding nature if coupled with low attractability to feed may lead to cannibalism

>

Estimation of optimal feed quantities

The in situ aqsessment of feed consumed by using feed trays, as used in prawn culture.

is not that successful in providing an indication of feeding rate by the crabs. Direct observation
of the pond bottom, when the algae bloom permits, to assess the amount of feed consumed may
be one of the choice. Typically however an estimate of the crab biomass is made from average
weight derived from sample measurements and an approximation of the population size based on
a predicted level of stock losses over time.
Crab feed developed at CIRA

Feeds for mud crab fattening

Fattening of mud crabs is becoming popular because of its economic benefits to farmers.
Fattening is rearing of newly molted soft shelled crabs (water crabs) to harden in a short period
of 25-30 days. Studies conducted at CIBA on formulation and testing of feeds for soft shelled
crabs were successful in hardening the crabs in 3-4 weeks both in laboratory trials as well as in
grow-out ponds. Similarly CIBA developed fattening feed has been successfully field
demonstrated in FRP cages in different localities.

Conclusion
Recent research work carried out on nutrition and fead development of mud crabs at
CIBA and elsewhere have shown very ,encouraging trends in terms of diet development. It
seems that they can tolerate higher levels of dietary fat than penaeids can,enabling higher energy
feeds and more rapid growth. It is also clear that mud crabs will grow on formulated pelleted
feeds, and on feeds that contain plant feedstuffs. These are very encouraging signs that they can
make good use of dietary starch and probably dietary fibre. Development of cost effective diets
prepared from largely local ingredients will have a strong positive impact on the industry.
References

Ahamad Ali, S. J. Syarna Dayal, K. Ambasankar, M.Kathirvel, S.K. Pandian, C.P.

Balasubrarnanian, G. Venugopal, K. Muralimohan and P. Rami Reddy 2008. Farming of mud
crabs: First ever application of feed pellets with reassuring results. Fishing Chimes 28(1):143145.
Catacutan, M.R. (2002). Growth and body composition of juvenile mud crab, ScyEla serrata, fed
different dietary protein and lipid levels and protein to energy ratios. Aquaculture 208: 1 13-123.
Catacutan, M.R., 2002. Growth and body composition of juvenile mud crab, Scylla serrata, fed
different dietary protein and lipid levels and protein to energy ratios. Aquaculture 208,113-123.
Catacutan, M.R., Eusebio, P.S. and Teshima, S., 2003. Apparent digestibility of selected
feedstuffs by mud crab, Scylla semata. Aquaculture 216,253-261.
Chin, H.C.,Gunwkara,

U.P.D.,Amandokon, H.P.(1992). Formulation of artificial feeds for

mud crab culture: a preliminary biochemical, physical and biological evaluation. In: Angel, C.A.
(Ed.), Report of the seminar on the mud crab culture and trade, Tlialand 5-8 November 1991.
Bay of Bengal Programme of Fisheries Development, Madras, India, pp.246.
Glencross, B.D., Smith, D.M.,Thomas, M.R. and Williams, K.C., 2002. The effects of dietary
lipid amount and fatty-acid compo~ition on the digestibility of lipids by the prawn,

PenaeusmnocCon. Aquaculture 205,157-1 69.

W e p a J . , P.C. Southgate and C. h g , 2004 Diet @cle size preference and optimal ration
for mud crab, Scylla serrata, l a m fed microbound diets. . Aquaculture 230,493-505
Gonzalez-Pena, M. del C., Anderson, A.J., Smith, D.M. and Moriera, G.S., 2002. Effect of
dietary cellulose on digestion in the prawn Macrobrahiurn rosenbergii. Aquaculture 21 1, 291303.
How-Cheong, C., U.P.D.Gunasekera and H.P.Amandakoon. 1992. Formulation of artificial
feedsfor mud crab culture: a preliminary biochemical, physical and biological evaluation. In:
TheMud Crab (ed. C.A. Angell), pp. 179-184. Report of the Seminar on Mud Crab Culture
andTrade. Bay of Bengal Programme. Madras, India.
Millamena, A.M. and Quinitio, E., 2000. The effects of diets on reproductive performance of
eyestalk ablated and intact mud crab Scylla serrata. Aquaculture 181,81-90.
Sheen, S.S and Wu, S.W. (1999). The effects of dietary lipid levels on the growth response of
juvenile mud crab Scylla serrata Aquaculture 175: 143-153.
Sheen, S.S. (2000). Dietary cholesterol requirement of juvenile mud crab ScyIIa serrata
Aquaculture 189: 277-283.
Sheen, S.S. and Wu, S.W., 1999. The effects of dietary lipid levels on the growth response of
juvenile mud crab Scylla serrata. Aquaculture 175, 143-1 53.
Tuan,V, Anderson,A,Van,J.L. Shelly, C and Allen, G. 2006. Apparaent digestibility of some
nutrient sources by juvenile mud crab, Scylla serrata (Forskal 1775). Aquaculture research. 37:
359-365
Xue, X.M.,Anderson Alys J., Richardson, N.A., Anderson, Alex J., Xue, G.P. and Matther, P.B.,
1999. Characterisation of cellulase activity in the digestive system of the redclaw crayfish

Cherax quadricarinatus.Aquaculture 180,373-386.

DISEASES IN MUDCRABS

M. Poornima and T. C. Santiago

Central Institute of BracLisbwater Aquaculture, Chennai
Introduction
Mud crabs belonging to the genus Scylla are large portunids commercially important,
brackish water, carnivorous crabs, distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region (Fielder 1977).
Scylla sps high commercial value in terms of export and domestic markets by virtue of their

delicacy and medicinal value. As the shrimp industry has come under the threat of viral diseases
in the recent years, farmers have shown keen interest in crab farming. Mud crab aquaculture has
been practiced for many years in south-east Asian countries including India and is an important
source of income by way of export. Traditionally, these activities were mainly based on stocking
wild-caught juveniles and adults for grow-out culture and fattening of 'water crabs'. In India,
traditional crab farming mainly depends on "fattening" of water crabs and after attaining
suficient marketable size, they are harvested and sold at high price. The two major species of
crabs namely, Scylla tranquebarica (larger species) and S, seratta (smaller species) occur in
Indian waters and have high potential for aquaculture species. With the diversification of f m i n g
activities, the culture of mud crab is gaining popularity though the culture operations. Culture is
being practiced with low stocking density; hence many diseases with potential economic impact
may not have been observed and caused problems. Culture is being practiced with low stocking
density; hence many diseases with potential economic impact may not have been observed and
caused problems. However since it is well known that intensification of aquaculture results in
increased incidence of the disease problems in cultured stock. Aquatic animal diseases are a
major risk and a primary constraint to the growth of any aquaculture sector. Hence it is important
to know the disease problem$ affecting mud crabs so as to formulate measures for their
prevention and control.

As any other living organisms, crabs also have specific physiological functions for

growth and development, which is greatly influenced by various factors of the environment in
which they are living. Any impairment in the physiological bctioning may lead to abnormal
condition of an organism, and this phenomenon is known as disease. However, many experts
consider that there are 3 factors, which interact with each other and result in the occurrence of
disease. These factors are the host (crab), the environment and d i s v u s i n g organism
(pathogen). Therefore, disease can be described as an expression of complex ihraction of host,
pathogen and environment. Decline in host's immunity is the main cause of disease. The most
important predisposing factors leading to diseases in culture are:

>

Adverse environment

9 High stocking density with limited water exchange facilities

3 Nutritional deficiencylpoor nourishment
9 Stress like inadequate aeration

3 Physical injury and

9 Presence of virulent pathogens.

Host
Like any other crustaceans, crab's body is covered by exoskeleton, which is regularly
replaced by a new one during moulting. The moulting process renders the crab susceptible to
disease agents or cannibalism. In addition, the crab's nutritional well being, size and immune
response determine its degree of resistance to disease agents.
Environment
The term environment in aquaculture comprises the pond soil, rearing water and the
various living organisms in it. The living organisms include not only shrimp but also other
aquatic fauna and flora including pathogenic organisms. The survival and growth of the
organisms is largely influenced by various physico-chemical parameters such pH, dissolved
oxygen, temperature, iight etc. Any abnormal change in these factors will adversely affect crabs
in the culture system.For example, high ammonia level, low dissolved oxygen etc. are stressful
and may affect the survival.

Pathogen
Various pathogenic organisms may be present in the aquaculture system. They may be
the part of the natural flora and fauna of the rearing water or pond soil. Various disease causing
organism of shrimp have been reported. Mere presence of these organisms may not cause any
disease condition. However, when present in large numbers these may readily invade the injured
tissues get established and multiply resulting in disease and death. Nevertheless, the quantitative
level of pathogen is influenced largely by prevailing culture condition such as availability of
food source, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH etc.

Diseases of mud crabs

Viral D h s e s
Three viruses have previously been observed in mud crab, S. semata. Majority of them

pertains to WSSV from naturally and experimentally infected mud crab (He et al., 2003; Otta et
al., 1999; Rajendran et al., 1999; Sahul Harneed et al., 2003). Experimental infection of other
shrimp virus like yellow head virus (W)in various species of crabs including mud crabs
revealed inability for multiplication (Longyant, et al., 2006).

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV)

Mud crabs are known carriers and vectors of WSSV in shrimp culture facilities (Lo et
a/., 1996). Natural WSSV infections have been found in captured and cultured specimens of the
mud crab Scylla serrata in many countries of Asiatic region (Lo et al., 1996; Flegel, 1997, 2008;
Kanchanaphum et al., 1998). WSSV was detected in around 60% of the benthic larvae of mud
crab, S.serrata both under natural and experimental conditions (Chen et al., 2000). Although
mud crab is known to be a camer of viral organisms in India, studies are limited other than
WSSV infections (Rajendran et al., 1999; Hamead et al., 2003). Signs are in apparent and the
crab can maintain the infsction for many months (CIBA report, 2008), though moulting
frequency was found to be d u d (Lavilla-Pitogo et al., 2007). In India, the natural prevalence
of WSSV in crab is about 5.06 % whik in culture ponds it is about 30 % (unpublished data) as
compared to WSSV infection could be in eitha way; by vertical transmission h m wild

broodstock or even horizontal transmission during monoculture as culture ponds often witnessed

presence of WSSV infected wild crabs. Wild crustaceans serving as hosts for WSSV may act as

natural reservoirs of the virus in the marine environment {Uca spp. and many shrimp species

Fenneropeaeur indicus, P. morrodon, Metapentieus monoceros and Metapenaeus dobsoni

probably through creek water. Mud crabs have bem confirmed to support WSSV replication
under experimental conditions, besides acting as natural hosts while a large number of crab
species (38 species) reported to be positive by PCR may not be necessarily act as WSSV natural 1
hosts, but many only be mechanical carriers for aquaculture species. For shrimp farmers, it is
extremely important to establish whether the mud crabs are bonafide reservoirs of the virus that
can transmit it to cultivable shrimp as crab culture is being practiced in shrimp farming area as
monoculture or polyculture activities. The wet lab study at CIBA indicated that Mud crab, Scylla

serrata can be infected with WSSV by injection, feeding or co-habitation using the WSSV
infected shrimp and vice versa (CIBA report 2008). However, the most surprising feature has
been the availability of wide range of potential hosts ranging from penaeid shrimps, wild crabs,
more distantly related crustaceans such as copepods, amphipods and perhaps even aquatic insect
larvae (Flegel, 2006).
Muscle necrosis virus
Song et al. (2003) reported an icosahedral virus in cultured mud crab causing a disease
known as 'sleeping diseases' characterized by muscle necrosis in China.
Reovirus
Recently, a rcovirus designated as mud crab reovirus (MCRV) from cultured mud crab, S.

serrata with signs of 'sleeping disease', high mortality and heavy economic loss in southern
China were reported. Experimental infection with 80-100 % mortality was observed by various
routes of infection (Weng et al., 2007).

Bacterial dimaam
Bacterial neerorb
This is a common disease observed in larvae, post- larvae or adults. It is variously termed
as 'black spot', 'brown spot', 'burnt spot', 'shell disease' or chitinolytic bacterial disease. This is
caused by the invasion of chitinolytic bacteria, which break down the chitin of the exoskeleton,
leading to erosion and melanization (dark brown to black pigmentation) at the site of infection.
Several chitinolytic bacteria (Gram -ve rods) such as Vibrio spp., Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonus
spp., Spirillium spp. etc are involved. Shell disease is rare in newly recruited crabs, but a
common problem in crabs kept under captive conditions with the formation of a f i z z y mat
composed of a multitude of organisms like blue green alage, bacteria, ciliates, flagellates, and
even nematodes. This disease reduces the value of the harvested crabs, apart fiom causing
mortalities. This disease can be controlled in captive and cultured populations by reducing
overcrowding, proper husbandry and system hygiene.
Filamentous Bacterial disease
Filamentous bacteria such as Leucothrix mucor. Thriothrix spp., Flexibacter spp. etc
sometimes cause mortali tics with by discolouration of gills and associated secondary infections.
The larvae become moribund, with reduced mortality, poor feeding and growth. Increasing
husbandry and hygiene standards will improve the situation.
Luminescent bacterial disease
Luminescent bacterial disease is a severe, economically important bacterial infection
caused by members of the genus Vibrio and other relatad genera. Vibriosis affects a diverse
range of marine and estuarine shell fish species and is frcxluently secondary to other inciting
causes, e.g., poor water quality, stress, poor nutrition. fibno harwyi often infect the crab larvae
reared in hatchery conditions, when they appear in seawater. They spread very fast and poor

hatchery conditions increase their virulence. The infeded'larvae become fluorescent in dark
light, with reduced feeding and in scvae casts mass mortalities occur. This can be treated by
using specific antibiotics and disinfectidg the intake water.

Fungal diseases

Fungal infection of the genus Lagenidium spp. was found to be pathogenic to the eggs
and larvae of mangrove crab (Scylla s e r ~ ain) Indonesia (Nakamura et al., 1995).

Lantal mycosis
Larval mycosis due to Fusarium spp., Lagenidium spp. Sirolpidium spp. cause severe
mortalities to Crab larvae often is a secondary infection. Fusan'um solani, F. monilijbtnes, L.

callinectes etc are commonly found. Fungus infects the dead or damaged tissue caused by
wounds or other infections resulting in locomotory difftculties due to mycelial growth. In serious
infections of Lagenidium extensive branched mycelia invade through out the body replacing all
the tissues and protrude through the cuticle.
Parasitic diseases
Protozoan parasites
Fouling protozoans such as Zoothamnium, Vorticella etc. are of common occurrence in
larval, post larval or adult scampi. They attach to the body and appendages and disrupt mobility
and feeding. Mortality occurs only in severe cases of susceptibility. Formalin treatment will be
helphl to save the affected.
Metazoan parasites
Most common metazoan parasites of mud crabs are subclass Cirripedia which are marine
crustacean either fixed or parasitic in their adult stage. Barnacles or cirripedes are mostly
commensals and tend to be predaceous while others like Sacculina are exclusively parasitic on
crabs. These infections seldom lead to mortality, but extensive shell erosion and perforation may
lead to entry of opportunistic pathogens. Typical examples are Lepas (goose barnacle) living
attached by a soft stalk or peduncle t i the gills and other surface of crab . The stalk bears, at its

free end, the rest of the body known as the capitulum enclosed in a mantle formed by the
,
carapace. Balanus (acorn barnacle) is found attached to rocks below high water marks or bottom
side of crab hideouts differing from Lepm in having no peduncle; the shell is directly attached to

the substratum. The shells forms a sort of cone shaped case surrounding the body, and the
opening is closed by a lid formed of four opercular plates.
Several species of balanid cirriped (Bolanus and o h barnacles) live attached to the
carapace, chelipeds of crabs or shells of mollusks, other objects available in culture ponds. The
varieties of metazoans and intensity of infestation in pond condition is often correlated with the
size of the crab due to long standing exposure and longer intermoult periods. Another crustacean
leading parasitic life on decapod5 is Sacculina with extreme reduction in organization and has
the appearance of a fleshy tumour attached by a peduncle to the abdomen of the crab on its
ventral side . At the hind end of the parasite is an opening, the cloacal aperture, which leads to
the mantle cavity. There are no traces of segmentation or appendages or even alimentary canal.
Sacculina is a unique parasite in that in the initial stages, peduncle sends numerous filamentous

processes penetrating to the various organs of the crab even into legs and antennules for
nourishment and disposal of waste products. The presence of parasite causes degeneration of
tissues of the crab and hinders the formation of cuticle at the site of attachment during every
successive molting, and through it the body of Sacculina project freely as a fleshy mass.
Sacculina is a typical example of parasite induced castration in that the infected male crab

exhibits a tendency to develop characteristics of females. The abdomen becomes broader, the
copulatory organs get reduced and the pleopods become suited for carrying eggs while in female
crabs the swimmerettes becomes reduced. Crabs also act as intermediate hosts by harbouring
metacercarial stages of many digenean trematodes of higher vertebrates, mainly aquatic birds
and mammals or as paratenic hosts for the infectious larvae of many species of nematode of
higher vertebrates (eg. Angiostron&vlus spp.). However, the perceived threat to other
animalsJman by way of eating crab is largely unknown in India

Deformities
A range of deformities have been observed in crabs. These include missing legs,
abdominal flaps, abnormalities of chela$clegs etc. as hard shelled crab attack the freshly moulted
crabs or due to various fanning operations. Them is no much evidence that nutritional
deficiencies or imbalances cause any diseases in mud aab including minerals, vitamins, essential

fatty acids, as there is no study involving complete dependence on artificial diet in grow-out
culture in India

Cannibalism
Cannibalism in crab is a behavioral trait that may directly cause the injury/death of the
weaker animals often after molting. Cannibalism is reported as a serious problem in the grow-out
of mud crab in ponds, thus reducing the survival. Attacking the young, berried crab or molted
crab is often a problem leading to loss of appendages such as periopods and chelipeds or even
morality. Under f m i n g conditions, cannibalism can be prevented by providing adequate
sheltershousing or even pipes as hiding place for moulting in ponds. In fattening each crab is
placed in compartments made of locally available materials like bamboo, nets, etc.
Other Diseases
A new shell disease of non-infectious nature and uncertain etiology in Scylla serrata

characterized by irregularly shaped circular lesions commonly called rust spot shell disease with
unique histopathological lesions were reported from Australia. Crab also shows symptoms
arising out of any stress such as over crowding, extreme temperature or pH, low dissolved
oxygen etc. The condition is often reversible once the stressed condition is corrected. Blackening
of gills of may sometimes be found as a manifestation of several other disease syndromes,
precipitation of dissolved chemicals, turbidity, Vitamin C deficiency etc. General discoloration
of gills may occur due to melanization of tissue and necrosis, which may be visible through the
side of carapace.

Health Management Strategies

The ultimate goal of most aquaculture operations is to produce maximum possible
biomass per culture unit area in a sustainable manner, regardless of the type of operation and the
species cultured. However, the production depends upon a number of factors including
environmental conditions, availability of good quality water, nutrition and disease and mortality
of cultured stock. Incidence and severity of infectious disease outbreaks very often depend on the
quality of environment. An understanding about the environment, biota and biology of the target

species along with the in depth knowledge of the disease, pathogen, disease developmemt,
diagnostics, epidemiology and control measures arc essential factors in management of a disease
problem. Hence, health management requks a holistic approach, addressing all aspects that
contribute to the development of disease. Disease out break is an end result of negative
interaction between pathogen, host and the environment. Hence, management of disease
problems must be aimed towards broader ecosystem management with a view to control farmlevel environmental deterioration and to take preventative measures against the introduction of
pathogens into the aquaculture system. The emphasis should be on better management for
prevention, which is likely to be more cost effective than treatment, involving both on-farm
management and the management of the environment. Hence the foremost important step in
aquaculture health management is to provide the best quality environment within the culture unit.
Occurrence of a disease in crabs as in case of other aquatic organisms is usually the result of a
complex interaction between host, pathogen and their environment, and the presencelabsence of
a given pathogen. The aim is to restrict the growth of potential pathogens, including virus,
bacteria, fungi and parasites in the culture system. From an economic and management
viewpoint, prevention is better than cure when it comes to disease in aquatic organisms at large.
There are numerous examples of both primary and secondary diseases. The main ways through
which primary diseases may be introduced into fish farms are through the addition of infected
water, the use of infected fetd materials or exposure to other infected fish. As such, primary
diseases can be avoided by excluding the microbial organism or parasite from the culture system
through the use of clean water, uninfected feedstuffs and avoidance of feed from uncertified
sources. Secondary diseases commonly accompany poor environmental conditions and I or stress
and a poor aquatic environment and poor farm management encourages such diseases. Important
ways to prevent crab diseases are to ensure high water quality in the rearing environment by
regular water exchange or regular treatment to remove wastes and pollutants. The culture area

(tank, pond or cage) must be kept fiee fiom a build up of fish wastes and uneaten feed. If
necessary, some f m of aeration device should be employed to maintain high dissolved oxygen
levels. Stress resulting ftom low dissolved oxygen concentrations is responsible for many cases
of mass mortality. Indicators of water..quality should be meesund on a regular basis. These
should include ammonia, nitrite, salinity, pH, water temperature aod oxygen.

Feed must be stored correctly to prevent the introduction of infectious agents and to
ensure that the nutritional value does not deteriorate. The use of trash fish may readily introduce
microbial organisms into the culture system. If whole fish, clam, mussel, squid and / or prawns
are used, these should be snap frozen while fresh and stored at -18 to -30Cfor at least 10-21
days before use. This will minimize the transmission of certain parasites but will not necessarily
inactivate infectious agents. Pelleted feed should also be kept cool, ideally at less than 20C. In
the dry season it is usually sufficient to keep the feed in a shaded building. In warm humid
conditions, pelleted feed can quickly deteriorate. Fats become rancid, vitamins break down and
mould can grow on the feed releasing toxins. Feed should not be stored for extended periods and
good feed store management should be employed to keep track of stock and ensure that the feed
fed to the fish is of the highest quality. Unless previously tested and certified any new lot of crab
brought onto the farmhatchery should be quarantined for a minimum of two weeks to identify
any diseases, pathogens or parasites they may be canying. Treatment in quarantine may be
necessary to eliminate microbial organisms and parasites and testing of crab for specific agents
may be undertaken during this period. Coastal aquaculture in general, and crab farming in
particular, heavily relies upon wild brood stock for seed production. The health status of
broodstock population has generally been neglected. The asymptomatic wild broostock
population plays a major role in the vertical transmission of the pathogen. There is a need to
evaluate the health status of different stocks and to develop means of controlling the entry of the
pathogen into the breeding and farmed populations. Finally timely and correct diagnosis of the
disease using the right diagnostic tool is one of the most important components in the aquatic
health management. Hence it is necessary to take procedures out of the laboratory and explores
ways in which they can be better applied under farmtfield conditions.

INTER-RELATIONSRTP BETWEEN ENVIRONMENT AND

Central Institute of Brackisbwater Aquaculture, Chennai

Abstract
The culture of marine and brackishwater organisms in aquaculture systems may result in
generating metabolic loads in the ponds as a result of high excretion rates and feed loading. The
normal, optimum and critical levels of water parameters for the crustacean culture are mentioned

in Table-1.
Characteristics
Temperature("C)
PH
Salinity @pt)
Transparenty(cm)
Total Alkalinity (as
mg CaC03/1)
DO (mgll)
Total ammonia N
(mgll) (at pH 8.2& T
29C)
Free ammonia(mgA)
Nitrite-N (mgfl)
Phosphate (md)

Normal
17-33
7-9
7.5-34
25-40

Optimum

28-32
7.5-8.5
15-25
30-40

Critical
<I4
<6or>ll
<5
<20 or >60

50-200

100-200

<20

4-7

5-7

<3

0.1-0.4

Nil

> 1.5

<0.02

Nil

> 0.1

< 0.2

N.2
0.1-0.2
<70

>4

0.008-0.2
COD
< 75
< 15
<lo
BOD (mg/l)
Source: Boyd 1982;CIBA Special Publication No.6.

--

>200
>20

Adverse pond conditions such as low DO, high ammonia and nitrite, or natural or manmade toxins in the aquatic environment may cause non infectious diseases; muscle necrosis,
body cramp, incomplete molting, asphyxiation, acid sulfate disease (acidosis), black gill disease,

red disease, soft shell. The impact of physico-chcmical parameters on the animals are given in

the Tabk-2.
122

P8nmbr

E W

Remedy

Cramped body, DO depbtimn,

respiratory trouble, termal stratification Use oftximtom,
Planting of trees on dykes
in-m.
Application of lime
st-,
Stress, Mortality
Reduce fortitihetion Iwater exchange
Metabolism IGrowth
Water exchange
Emaciation/ Strass

m w

Excessive salinity
Excessive
Transparency

Poor plankton density

Low transparency

High plankton density

Reductin in fertilization, Water

exchange to remove excessive blooms

DO Depletion

Slow growth, Increase in NH3, SB C

metabolities; stress shallow ponds,
Disease IMortality

Aeration IWeter exchange

Remove scum IAvoid over feeding

High alkalinity
Poor productivity
High ammonia 1Nitrite Stress IPoor growth

Adequate aeration

DO depletion Idamage of gills

Excessive N 8 P
Excessive COD 1
BOD

High algal bloom IDO depletion

Hydrogen sulfide

Water exchange
Effective removal of organic waste
Correct a p p l i i o n of fertilizers;
Use only water treatment effective
products; Periodic removal of bloom by
flushing or scooping out; Water
exchange; Maintaining DO, Combined
nitrificationand denitrlfication,
Biostimulation IBioaugmentation

Reduce fertilization IBioremediation

Water exchange; Removal of Organic
Destroy gills; Inhibit normal respiration
Waste
Water exchange ICentral drainage, DO
depletion system, effective
Poor water quality IStress
bioaugmentors Removal of organic
waste from the bottom

Remedial measures

The removal of toxic nitrogenous metabolites is still a major concern in coastal

aquaculture. Aqua-farmers now aim not only for disease the animals with high growth rate and
high yield but also on resource conservation through reduction in discharge volume.

Combined aitrifkation and denitrifjation

Nitrification combined with denitrificatjon can be tfic effective technique for removal
of toxic nitrogenous metabolites from coastal waters. Elimination of ammonia in waste in these
systems is generally managed through nitrification which results in the conversion of ammonia
into nitrate. However, strict environmental regulations for nitrate levels in discharge water are
motivating the recirculating aquaculture industry to integrate denitrifying organisms, which
results in the conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas. Denitrification is performed mainly by
facultative anaerobic bacteria that utilize organic (heterotrophic denitrification) or inorganic
(autotrophic denitrification) compounds as electron sources to reduce nitrate.
Anaerobic ammonia oxidation
The Anammox bacteria combine one unit of nitrite with one unit of ammonium to give
dinitrogen gas. Closing the nitrogen cycle in the water treatment system by integrating anaerobic
ammonium oxidation (anammox) process in re-circulating systems is advantageous due to the
following reasons: (i). This is the only process, which prevent greenhouse gases produced
through denitrification, (ii) reduced oxygen demand as this requires 50% less oxygen than that
required by the conventional nitrificationdenitrification process for the complete removal of
nitrogen, (iii), autotrophic process, as anammox are members of the order Planctomycerales (iv)
complete nitrogen removal through oxidation of ammonia by nitrite under anaerobic condition
without any organic electron source (v) reduction in COz emission by 88%. (vi) environmentally
sustainable and economically viable as operation cost is reduced by up to 90% and (vii) area
saving as plant requires only half the space taken up by nitrification / denitrification.
Bioremedttion
Biorcmcdiation is one of the most rapidly growing areas of environmental
biotechnology. Use of bioremediation either by biostirnulation or bioaugmentation, for
environmental clean up is popular due to low costs and its public acceptability. Indigenous
microbial populations have been repo#cd to be ecologically superior for bioremediation than
introduced populations. HOWCVCT,
cuttivation of nitrifying bacteria is challenging because of
their slow growth ndcs and the hquent occurrence of c u h contamination by heterotrophic

W r i a Biostimulation involves the addition of electron acceptors, nutrients or electron donors

to inmase the numbers or stimulate the activity of indigenous biodegradative micro-organisms

which play a significant role in the reclamation of contaminated natwal habitats.

Bioaugmentation involves the addition of indigenous or non-indigenous laboratory grown
microorganisms capable of biodegradingjbiotransfoning the target contaminant. It has been
recognized that microbial consortia may be more useful for bioremcdiation than single isolates.
Bioremediation stands to benefit greatly and advance even more rapidly with' the adoption of
molecular techniques developed originally for other areas of biotechnology, Recent
developments in molecular-biology-based techniques have led to rapid and accurate strategies
for monitoring, discovery and identification of novel bacteria and their catabolic genes involved
in the detoxification of environmental pollutants. Adoption of molecular techniques made
scientists realize that microbial populations relevant to pollutant degradation in the natural
environments are much more diverse than previously thought using traditional culture methods.
Nucleic acid based techniques provide cost effective and efficient bioremediation of toxic waste
and contaminated environments and also helps in a better understanding of nitrogenous fluxes in
aquatic and related environment.
Green-water technology
Biological approaches integrating the culture of other economically important species
with the shrimp farming can prevent disease outbreak in culture systems. The green water
technology applied in zero water exchange and recirculation systems exploits the natural
feeding behaviour of finfish such as the grey mullet and milkfish to improve on the nutrient
removal. They are euryhaline fishes and ideal candidate species for the treatment of discharge
wastes. Because of their broad diet spectrum and tolerance to poor water quality, they consume
detritus and facilitate algal growth, which in turns prevent ammonication by utilizing the
particulate organic matter and increasing the oxygen penetration to the sediments. This results in
heterotrophic decomposition of the organic waste, followed by oxidation of the ammonia to
nitrite and nitrate through nitrification and denitrification.

Use of Probiotica
A microbiological modulator consisting of bacterial supplement of a single or mixed

culture of selected non pathogenic bactaial'strains is termed as probiotics. This has received
widespread attention for disease prevention. The probiotics can decompose the excreta of fish,
shrimp and prawns, ruminants of food materials and plankton and other organic materials into
carbon dioxide, nitrate, nitrogen and phosphate. Probiotics control the formation of toxic
hydrogen sulphide by eliminating the Desulfovibn'o desulfitricans. In addition, the use of
probiotics can increase the population of food organisms to improves the nutrition level of
animals under aquaculture and improve immunity of cultured animals to pathogenic microorganisms and prevent the f q u e n t outbreaks of diseases.
Use of seaweeds

Culture of economically important sea weed species such as Gracelaria and

Kappaphyccus along with shrimp farming is an integrated approach which provides balanced

ecosystem, mutual benefits to the co~ulturedorganisms, economic diversification by producing

other value-added marine crop, and increased profitability per cultivation unit for the aquaculture
industry.

MUD CRAB FARMING AS A TOOL TO UPLIFT THE ECONOMIC STATUS

OF BRACKISHWATER FARMERS

B. Shantbi
Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai

In India, mud crabs are utilized for local consumption and export trade in the form of
frozen and canned meat. Recently, the export of live mud crab has gained importance. To meet
the ever increasing demand for live mud crabs, mud crabs collected from wild are now being
cultured or fattened on a small scale in the maritime states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala,
Karnataka, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Mud crab fattening carried out by a fisherwoman is an eye-opener in the context of
providing opportunities for a socio-economically viable avocation for coastal rural women.
During prawn farming this was considered as a menace. But now it has been realized that it is a
blessing in disguise as an alternative species due to set backs in shrimp farming and the
technology up gradation.
Mud crabs (Scylla sp.) are a large and widespread biomass of Indian estuaries and
hardly utilized for aquaculture production. Since hatchery technology has been developed it is
possible to culture them in commercial scale like shrimp farming. Since the world market for
live mud crab is expanding it is possible for India to emerge as the largest exporter in the world
with a turnover of 100,000 tonnes worth of about Rs.2, 000 crores every year. About 200,000
estuarine fishermen could be gainfully rehabilitated who are otherwise involved in destructive
fishing of juvenile fish resources in the estuaries (Bensarn 1986, Anon 1980-81,
The mud crab inhabit marine as well as brackish water environment. Two species of
mud crabs, namely scylla tranquebarica and scylla serrata are found in in shore sea, estuaries,
backwaters, coastal lakes and mangrove swamps of all maritime state on the main land and the
creeks and bays of Andaman and nicobar islands. Both the species co-exists in the inshore sea as
well as in the inland brackish waters preferring muddy or sandy bottom (Kathirvel, 1993 and
#

Marichamy 19%).

Water crabs are not accepted in live crab export trade, because of the following reasons
it was rejected in the export market, water crabs are weak with less meat, to have full g r o h of
meat, to gain weight, so crab fattening serves,as an altcmdve livelihood option for coastal men
and women self help groups.
Crab fattening is essentially a holding operation during which post molt or water crabs
are kept for a short period of 20 days until they flesh out or immature female crabs are held until
their gonads develop and fill the mantle cavity. This type of activity has become very popular
trough out the Asian countries due to increasing demand for gravid females and large size hard
shelled ones in seafood restaurants. Fattening of mud crabs is undertaken in the states of Andhra
Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Orisssa and West Bengal.
Aquaculture offers one of the best livelihood options for women especially in coastal
areas. The advantages of aquaculture as a primary, secondary, or supplementary livelihood
option are that it is a low investment- high returns enterprise system and offers plenty of scope
for diversification, processing and marketing. There is considerable variation in women's roles in
the economic life of fishing communities, which vary fiom region to region and community to
community. In certain communities and areas women hardly take part in fishery-based activities,
while in others they take care of almost all tasks other than fishing itself (Gopolakrishnan, 2007
and Patterson Samuel, 2005).
In the field of aqua culture, both men and women play a very important role. The
nature and the extent of involvement of women vary greatly fiom place to place and within a
place it varies among castes, religion and stages in the family cycle. In the eastern India the
participation of women in aqua culture is more. It is said that the culture concept in agriculture
came from women. Similarly, in aqua culture, women can be further trained to identify the
suitable species, their sexes, differentiation between fertilized and un-fertilized eggs, age
estimation, feeding, disease management, making of HAPAs for breeding, raising of fingerlings,
processing of fish, net making, ITKS and marketing skills. Experiences on leasing out of ponds
to women groups revealed that these groups after receiving training could do well in the culture

aspect. However, exploitations of migdlemen during marketing and also from the poachers,
besides not able to follow the government rules and problems due to short leasing periods are
the major constraint of women in aqua culture (0jkand Salim, 2002).

I n d aquaculture production is considend as an important alternatives to

overcome this situation. A large number of rural women constitute a socially and economically
marginal group, often forming the poorest sub-sector of impoverished communities. The high

rates of male migration to urban areas and greater rate of divorces/ separation have lead to an
increased number of permanently or temporarily women headed household, which also demands
rural women's involvement in all sorts of agricultural activities including aqua culture.

A community based crab fattening project to SHGs its first of it kind in Tuticorin coast

and it proved to be a great success not only in terms of generating extra income to the SHGs but
also to create an awareness among fisher folks about the value of the resources and sustainable
utilization (Patterson, 2005). In Vellapatti near Tuticorin, the southern part of India, a
community based crab fattening project has been implemented for alternative livelihood
purposes especially for woman fisher folks. This has proved to be a great success in generating
extra income to the family (Patterson & Samuel, 2005).
This study describes how different types of mud crab farming and fattening plays an
important role as a tool to uplift the economic status of brackishwater farmers. Different types
of crab farming and crab fsttening in the cages ( FRP and Bamboo), pens, concrete cement tanks,
and tied fed ponds by the farmers are.discussed in this study.

TYPES OF CRAR FARMING AND FATTENING ADOPTED BY THE FARMERS

1. Crab Farming in Ponds, Tnticorin, Tamil Nadn

The mud crab farming was started in 1992 by Smt.

Sussammal Nazareen at Punnakyal village 20 K M South of
Tuticorin Town. Smt. Sussammal Nazareen is the first woman
crab fanner who has been culturing crabs for the last 15 years.
She is 45 years old and has education up to primary level. She
supported by her husband and family members in the crab farm
activities.
Smt. Susammal Nazareen and her husband are pioneers
in mud crab culturc in ponds. They are perhaps the longest standing crab farmers in the state
practicing crab culturc for the longest duration. She also encourages the local farmers to take up
crab farming in the village selflessly.
Crab farming is being practiced in earthen ponds.

The crab species ScylIa

iranquharica is being cultured for about 9 months in a year. The culture is being done in a water
spread area of 250 acres consisting of 25 ponds of varying sizes (0.1 to 1 .O ha) with a depth of 26 ft. These ponds are actually frontier ponds. where seawater is passed through one pond after

another and finally reaches the salt pans for salt production.
The crab grows to the marketable size in approximately 4-6 months. The animals are
harvested on a semi continuous basis. Partial harvest is carried out from April. Crab with an
average weight of 500g and above will be collected from ponds by hand picking and sold in live
condition to the exporters. Crabs with size of 500 were sold @ Rs.200kg and 750g crabs were
sold for Rs.250-300kg. The exporters like Madras Sea Food Exporters and Creseant Sea Food
Exporters, Chennai, collect the hawested crabs for their export.
Smt. Sussarnmal Nazareen is versatile and has good traditional knowledge in crab
farming and all aspects of crab farming and marketing. The most important observation is that
Smt. Sussammal Nazareen is a very bbld lady operating alone on her farm without any fear.
Sometimes when she finds no transportation facility to move the crabs for market, she herself

carries them as head load to the nearby places. She also supervises her crab farm daily by work.
Thus, Smt. Susammal Nazareen, plays a major role in the diversification of aquaculture species
viz, the crab farming, acts as a role model in the village and plays a major part in the community
development.
2. Crab Fattening in Concrete Tanks - Cuddatore District, Tamil Nadu.

Mrs. Manickavalli, aged 54 years heads the women self help group at Akkaraikoddi,
Cuddalore.

These women self help group constituting of 20 members are practicing crab

fattening in concrete tanks. Ten concrete cement tanks are constructed for crab fattening
A concrete tank of 10 ft x6 ft x5 ft is used for stocking the water crabs.

Sixty six crabs

@ weighing 300 - 400g (23 kg) are stocked at the rate of 6 noshank. Water crabs are collected

from crab markets of Cuddalore and Chidambaram. The total height of the tank is 5 feet and the
water depth is maintained at 2.5 feet. Water exchange is done daily. The culture period is 45
days.
Trash feed is given @ 10% body weight of the crab. Feeding is done twice a day. By
the women self help group members. The harvested crabs are transported to the markets by
bullock carts & auto. The net profit is shared among the WSHGs group members. The profit
amount is used for repaying the loan and the remaining amount is shared within the group.

Women SHGs in crab fattening in concrete tanks, Cuddalore

131

3. Crab Fattening in FRP Cages

Women Self Help Groups of Allambarai Kuppam, Kadapakkam, Kancheepurarn

District,

Kattur and Thonirevu of Pulicat, Tiruvallur District and Men Self Help Groups of

Korraikuppam, Jamilabath, Sathankuppam of Pulicat, Tiruvallur District, are engaged in crab

fattening of larger species Scylla tranqueharica in eight fiberglass cages.

Fiber glass cages either with 6 or 9 compartments are used. Each compartment is
stocked with I crab each weighing 500g - 700g. The four sides of the cages are well perforated
for free circulation of water.

Each compartment measures about Im* lm* 0.33m. The four

sides of the cages were perforated for the free circulation of water. The culture period is 3-4
weeks. The feeds like trash fish or formulated feeds can be given. The fattening duration was
about 20-25 days. The cages were checked from the 1 0 day
~ of stocking for the hard crabs. If
hard crabs were found, they were harvested from 1 0 day
~ onwards and up to 25 days. The
survival was 99.5% and the total biomass harvested from 8 cages was 54 kg.

CIRA Fattening at Jamalabath, Pallaveerkadu, Tiruvallur Dst,

Periodical checking is done during the culture period. After use, the cages are dried and
cleaned for next round of use. Trash fishes collected from the landing centers are fed @ of 10%
of the biomass of the crab at two intervals (morning and evening) every day. In case of algal. and
barnacle fouling on the crab carapace, they are removed by brushing. The harvesting of the
fattened crabs is carried out by hand picking. The mud crabs are marketed in live condition.
Hardened crabs are packed in bamboo baskets.

Crab Fattening in FRP Cages by the men and women SHGs at Kadapakkam,
Kancheepuram Dst. and Korraikuppam, Sathankuppam, Pulicat, Tiruvallur Dst.
4. Women Crab Farmers (Crab fattening in Pens)

Seven Coastal Women Self Help Groups of Alambaraikuppam, Cheiyur Taluk,

Kadappakkam, Kancheepuram District, 8 Coastal Women Self Help Groups of Eight Women
Self- Help Groups of Killai, Cuddalore, 1 Coastal Women Self Help Groups of Kattur village,
Minjur and 2 Coastal Women Self Help Groups of Thonirew, Pulicat, Tiruvallur District, Tamil
Nadu, are actively involved in crab fattehing in pens.

Crab fattening is carried out in small pens with fence around ranging f b m 0.1 to 0.5 ha
in size with water depth of 1.5 m. Fencing with height of between 0.5

- 1.0 m an the dyke is

done with nylon materials. Materials like bamboo pieces, cement pipes or stones are placed
inside the pond to minimize mortality due to cannibalism. The tidal water flood through the
creek causes sufficient water exchange in the pens. The soft shelled crab of

8 cm carapace

width and above or crabs of more than 550 g are stocked density of 1 crab11 to 3 m2. Crabs are
fed with bivalve meat or trash fish daily at the rate of 5 to 10% of body weight. The duration of
fattening in 20 days. Each day these fisherwomen devote most of their time in the shore for all
crab fattening activities.
The crabs are harvested after shell becomes sufficiently hardened and before next
molting. The harvesting is done by using scoop nets and ring nets with baits. Harvesting should
be done in the early morning hours or evening to prevent mortality of crabs due to overheating of
water at noon time. In a year 9 to 10 cycles of fattening can be taken from a pond.

Crab fattening by women crab farmers in pens

The harvested crabs are sold by the WSHGs at the local markets in Kadappakkam and
Kovalam and they draw the stocking material (water crabs) from the same retailers.

5. Crab Fattening By Farmers in Tide Fed Ponds

Crab fattening by small marginal farmers are practiced in 'Tide Fed Ponds' at
Kulathumedu, Pulicat, Thiruvallur District. These crab farmers belong to the tribal community '
Irrula'. There are 12 ponds concentrated at this area. Crab fattening was started during 1996.
Each pond size is 0.037 hectares. Total no of crops /year

is 3 - 10. These farmers have

134

an experience of 8 - 1 I years. The source of water crabs is from crab markets of Chindadripet,
Arambagam, Pulicat & from natural (Pulicat lake), Size of water crabs stocked - 350 gms - 750
gms. The water crabs are purchased at Rs. 801- 1501- (350 - 750 gms & above). 100 - 300 nos.
of water crabs are stocked in each pond. Stocking is done during the months of January-October
and the lean season is during November - December. Feeding was given twice a day @ 7- 8 kg
of feed for 150 kg of crabs, for one Cycle (20 - 30 days).

Tide Fed Crab Ponds

6. Mud Crab farming in Nellore (Andhra Pradesh)

Andhra Pradesh is predominantly under the influence of monsoon rains with wide
fluctuation in salinity, the entire coastal areas are suitable for any salinity tolerant species like
tiger shrimp, seabass (Lates calcarifer), milk fish, mullets etc. Mud crabs (Scylla serrata and S.
tranquebarica) also fall under this category as a sturdy creature to with stand any fluctuation in
salinity and temperature.
Mr. Goush Basha, a tigerlscampi farmer in Gurithipalam near Nellore, Andhra Pradesh,
started his trail culture of mud crab in a 0.5 ha grow-out pond. Since this pond was used for
tigerlscampi culture it was modified with 6 mounds of 1.5 m height inside and nylon net cum
plastic sheet fencing on the dyke all around to prevent the escape of crab. A small nursery was
constructed in one comer with nylon net supported by casuarinas poles. The soil was sandy clay.

The depth of the pond was 1.5 m to hold 1.0 m depth of water. In the even bottom 6 mounds
were constructed for allowing the crab to lead an amphibious' life. Ground water with a salinity
of 6-8 ppt was pumped and filled up in the pond after preparing the pond soil as it is done for

shrimp farming. One meter depth of water was maintained invariably. pH of the water was 7.5.
1200 crab juveniles of 25 - 30 grams size, reared in nursery, were stocked in the grow out pond
on 29.09.2005. They were fed with 5 kg to start with and increased to 10 kg of trash fish twice a
day i.e. 10-12% body weight.

Nellore Crab Farm

When crabs grew to more than 100 grams size the farmer continued with the same
quantity of trash fish due to non-availability which has resulted in stunted growth due to under
feeding. Water exchange was also inadequate due to power cut. No hideout was set up in pond.
Being first crop in crab farming the farmer did't want to take any risk. Therefore he stocked
6,200 scampi seeds along with mud crab. Since salinity was 6-8%0scampi also could grow with
artificial feed to 50 to 60 gram size. About 100 milkfish fingerlings were stocked to minimize lap
lap problem. They also grew to 750 gram size.
The harvest was carried out draining out the water through the sluice gate and stagnant
water was pumped out. Crab was harvested by hand picking and scampi through bag net in the
sluice, cast net and hand picking. Chanos were also harvested through cast net. They were all
iced and packed in trays for marketing. The chelate legs of crabs were tied, washed and packed
alive. The total numbers of animals survived were 800, (67%). The survival and growth rate
would have been higher had there been prudent management practices.

7. Crab Fattening in ponds and bamboo cages in Orissa.

Satpada coastal village lies 40 krn fiom Puri, was visited and data was collected from
crab ponds concentrated at Satpada Crab fattening is practiced by 6 WSHGs and one MSHGs
at Moisa, Gangadarpur and Mijapur villages.

Six WSHGs with 100 women and 7 men

practice crab fattening both in pond and with bamboo cages.

The Chilka Development Authority Project on ' Mud Crab Fattening' funded by UNDP
is operated in this village Two sites near Langaleswar and Chandanpur and one site near Mahisa,
Satpada was selected and crab fattening demonstration programme. 150 water crabs was stocked
in one acre pond.
The total water crabs stocked in the crab pond at Mahinsa, Satapada was 63 nos (41.15
kg) and harvested was 53 nos (33.70 kg). The total of crabs stocked in crab pond at Chandrapur,
Balugaon was 61 nos (3 1.700 kg) and harvested was 52 nos (28kg). Trash fish 20% per body
weight of the crab was fed twice a day. The pond is managed by the above WSGHs.

Crab fattening in ponds and bamboo cages by WSHGs in Orissa.

Marketing of Harvested Crabs

Generally the mud crabs are marketed and sold in live condition. The first pair of
largest legs (chelate legs) of each live crab is firmly tied up witb tbe body by jute/ nylon thread
to curb their movement and to avoid fighting among them. The bulk of the catch is usually
packed in bamboo baskets. Wet seaweed is placed in the baskets to keep the live crabs cool and
moist. The baskets - packed crabs are transported fiom remote fishing villages to the major cities
by road or rail and sold through the middlemen to retailers. For live crabs export trade, the leg
tied-up mud crabs are washed with seawater and packed either in bamboo baskets covered with
plastic sheets in the bottom or perforated thermocole boxes.

Market rate of water crabs

SL. No.

Types

'

I.

Small

2.

Medium

3.

Big

Size

Rate

Below 300 gm

1 00

350-5OOgm

100

500-750

150

Market mte of fattened crabs

S.No.

Size

Rate

Below 300 gm

120

350-500gm

200

1.

Small

2.

Medium

3.

Big.

500-750

280

4.

Excel

Above 750 gm

450

Crab markets in Chindadripet in Chennai

Conclusion

Mud crab was overlooked as potential species for culture. Now there is a change in
attitude towards the culture of this species due to its demand from domestic as well as export
markets. Community based crab fattening has proved as a alternative livelillood especially for
women fisherfolk and has great success in generating extra income to the family. Active
participation, infrastructure, support from the State Government Programmes and technical
support given to the farmers has made the technology adoption by the farmers as a successful.
Today the villages such as Thonirevu, Kattur, Kadapakkam, Tuticorin and Cuddalore have
become a role model for the establishment of similar pro-jects in the other fishing villages along
the east coast of India.
Technological empowerment of rural communities is a definite way of achieving
development in an agro - rural economy. Empowerment refers to enabling the members of the
community to achieve better standards of living through human resource development. Science
and technology are very effective tools in empowering people in different aspects of their life
including agricultural production, nutrition, health and environment and ensuring sustainability.
Any development process to improve the status the fisherwomedwomen living in the
rural areas must include economic development in order to make them self- reliant. With the
advent of technological advances in the field of aquaculture, the new and profitable occupational
patterns of fisherfolk may be directed towards small-scale aquaculture projects like crab
fattening and crab farming can be easily taken up by coastal folks especially women. Crab
fattening and crab farming has emerged as an important economic activity in coastal areas
139

contributing to the growth of aquaculture secbr and nutritional security. It offers ample
opportunities for participation of Coastat Womar Self Help Group also.

Reference
Anon. 1980-8 1. 1981-82, 1983-84. 1984-85. 1985-86. Ann. Rep. CMFRI.Cochin.
Bensam. P. 1986. A culture experiment on the crab Scylla serrata (Forskal) at Tuticorin during
1975-77 to assess growth and production. M:Proc. S'p. on Coastal Aqua Mar. Biol. Assn.
1nd.Part 4: 1183-1 189.
Gopolakrishnan, A.2007. Alternative Livelihood: A Case Study, Centre of Advanced Study in
Marine Biology, Annamalai University.
J Patterson And V.D. Samue1.2005.Participatory Approach of Fisherwomen In Crab Fattening
For Alternate Income Generation In Tuticorin .South East Coast of India Pp 153-159.
Kathirvel. M. 1981. Present status of taxonomy and biology of ScyiZa serrata (Forskal).
Workshop. on Crustacean Biochem.and Physiology. CMFRI Univ. of Madras. pp. 1-13.
Marichamy. R.. Manickaraja. M. and Rajapackiam. S. 1986. Culture of the mud crab Scylla.
Ojha, S.N. and Salim. S. 2002. Status Paper on Women in Fisheries. Central Institute of
Fisheries Education (Deemed University), Mumbai. March 11,2002.