Effect of Stocking Density on Survival and Growth of Potamon ebonyicum (Freshwater Crab)

Abstract

This work investigated survival and growth performance of male and female Potamon ebonyicum, at different Stocking Densities (SD) with 38% crude protein fish feed, in intensive culture system for six weeks. Experimental treatments were three in number viz., TI, TII and TIII. The TI contained only female, TII contained equal number of male and female, and TIII contained more females than male. The SD ranged from 1 crabT-1 to 3 CrabsT-1. All the male and female crabs survived first half (3 weeks) of the experimental period. Survival period of more than four weeks was recorded in the treatments with more than one female. Growth rates were insignificant and unevenly distributed. Yield was higher in the treatment with equal number of male and female than in the other ones. There was insignificant change in the growth rates as compared to records of previous investigations with the crab species. The narrow gap in the size of small ones, weight differential and their growth rates might assist aqua culturists to adapt SD and forecast yield in the freshwater crab. It could be suggested however that increment in the number of females during high density culture might enhance yield.