Growth Characteristics of the Australian Redclaw Crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, Cultured in an Indoor Recirculating System

Abstract

The redclaw crayfish has been cultured in ponds since about 1990. As interest in redclaw has expanded, some culturists have begun to ask about culture potential in areas where pond culture may not be feasible. This study was conducted to determine growth characteristics of redclaw crayfish in an indoor, closed-system culture unit. Redclaw crayfish of two initial sizes, small (0.3±0.1 g) and medium (6.9±2.9 g) were cultured in tanks (1 m2) for five months. Temperature was maintained at 29±1.0°C, and the photoperiod was set at a 12:12 light:dark cycle. Survivals ranged from 65% to 70%. Final mean weights for the two size groups were 5.0 g and 29.0 g, respectively. Redclaw crayfish growth was much lower in this study than has been routinely reported for redclaw crayfish growth in outdoor ponds but not much different from what others have reported for other crayfish species cultured in indoor tanks. Factors that might cause the reduced growth include inadequate diet, density effects, and pheromones.