Comparison of the growth performance and nutritional qualities of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) with different stocking densities in rice-crab culture systems

Abstract

This study investigated the comparison of the growth performance and nutritional qualities of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) with different stocking densities (D02: 0.2 inds/m2; D03: 0.3 inds/m2; D04: 0.4 inds/m2; D05: 0.5 inds/m2; D06: 0.6 inds/m2) in rice-crab culture systems. The result showed the D04 group crabs had higher gonadsomatic index (GSI), meat yield (MY), total edible yield (TEY), crude lipid levels of hepatopancreas and the crude protein levels of gonads than those of other groups crabs. The muscle and gonads of D04 group crabs had better essential amino acid (EAA) levels. The levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the hepatopancreas and gonads were significantly increased in the D04 group crabs compared with other groups crabs. The stocking density of D04 group has a more obvious promotion effect on the relative expression of molting and growth related genes compared with other groups. Taken together, it can generally be concluded that the male crabs raised by 0.4 inds/m2 have the highest nutritional quality even though they are not the largest crabs.