Ionic Requirements of Blue Crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in Environments Containing Low Concentrations of Total Dissolved Solids

Abstract

ABSTRACT Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) landings along Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts have been decreasing for several years. Given the euryhaline nature of blue crabs, culture in inland ponds may provide a means of meeting demand. The goal of this study was to develop an ionic environment containing 1 g/l total dissolved solids (TDS) that would support the survival and growth of juvenile blue crabs. The 1 g/l TDS level was selected to minimize the cost of preparing ponds, and potentially to reduce the need for effluent permitting in inlands areas. The general approach was to provide selected ions in approximate concentrations found in 1 g/l dilute seawater. In a series of four 3-wk experiments, beginning with ∼20-mm carapace width crabs, it was observed that blue crabs can survive and grow in a simple aqueous solution containing 1 g/l TDS (0.445 g/l sodium chloride, 0.120 g/l sodium sulfate, 0.022 g/l potassium chloride, 0.045 g/l calcium chloride dihydrate, 0.349 g/l magnesium chloride hexahydrate,...