Growth and Survival of the Australian Red Claw Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus at Three Densities in Earthen Ponds

Abstract

AbstractAustralian red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus were cultured in nine 0.02‐ha earthen ponds at densities of l/m2, 3/m2 and 5/m2 for 158 d. Average weight at stocking was 3.2 g. All ponds were provided with a combination of hay and corn silage at a rate of 500 kg/ha per month and a commercial crayfish ration fed at 5%, decreasing to 2% of estimated biomass/d during the growing season. Overall survival rate was 72%, and did not differ among treatments. Final yields and average weights varied significantly with stocking density. Red claw averaged 67 g with an average pond yield of 475 kg/ha at l/m2. At 3/m2 and 5/m2, red claw averaged 48 g and 38 g, respectively, and yielded 1,020 kg/ha and 1,422 kg/ha, respectively.