Reproductive performance of female blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) from some waters in South Sulawesi

Abstract

The blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) is one of the endangered species due to overexploitation. The development of hatchery technology is expected to be a solution in overcoming this problem. However, until now the availability of seeds is not stable due to high mortality, especially in the larval stage which is often caused by poor quality of broodstock. This study aims to assess the reproductive performance of small crab crabs from various small crab production centers in South Sulawesi to find quality broodstock sources. The sampling locations included 3 areas, namely Bone Regency, Maros Regency and Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The reproductive performance measured was the length and width of the carapace as well as body weight, fecundity, egg diameter and number of larvae produced by each broodstock and assessing the development of egg diameter based on embryo development. The results obtained, namely the value of fecundity, egg diameter and number of larvae were different from each region. The highest body size, fecundity, egg diameter and embryo development and number of larvae were obtained from Takalar while the lowest was from Maros (P <0.05). The aquatic environment affects reproductive performance. This can be seen from the infestation of octolasmis and barnacles found in nearly 90% of bone broodstock which is thought to have an effect on reproductive performance. From this research, it is obtained an illustration that the broodstock of Takalar is better used as the source of broodstock.