Effect of Feeding Frequency on Growth, Survival, Water and Bottom Soil Qualities in Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus pelagicus) Pond Culture Systems

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Vutthichai Oniam
Wara Taparhudee
Sukkrit Nimitkul

Abstract

The objective of this study was to improve blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus, rearing techniques by investigating the feeding frequency on crab survival and changing the properties of the crab pond bottom soil. Crabs were reared under simulated earthen pond conditions in 1.5x2.5x1.2 m2 concrete ponds for 120 days, at a density of 5 crabs/m2. During the culture period of 1-30, 31-60 and 61-120 days, crabs were fed with shrimp feed (STARTEQCTM) No. 2, No. 4S and No. 4 at 30%, 5% and 3% of body weight per day, respectively. Results showed that the survival rate of crabs fed 2 times (9.00 AM and 3.00 PM; control) and 4 times (7.00 AM, 1.00 PM, 7.00 PM and 11.00 PM) per day were not significantly different, and were higher than those fed 6 times (7.00 AM, 11.00 AM, 3.00 PM, 7.00 PM, 11.00 PM and 3.00 AM) per day. This was especially true during the 60 to 105 days culture period. Feeding frequencies of 2, 4 and 6 times per day did not affect water quality, average daily growth and feed conversion ratio of the crabs. In addition, feeding frequencies of 2, 4 and 6 times per day did not effect changes in organic matter concentration, soil pH and sulfide concentration in the crab pond bottom soil. However, ammonia concentration in the pond bottom soil with the feeding frequency of 6 times per day was higher than with those fed 2 and 4 times per day, especially during 30 to 90 days of culture. This study recommends that a feeding frequency of 2 or 4 times per day is optimal for blue swimming crab culture and does not affect the quality of water and soil in the crab pond.

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Oniam, V., Taparhudee, W., & Nimitkul, S. (2016). Effect of Feeding Frequency on Growth, Survival, Water and Bottom Soil Qualities in Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus pelagicus) Pond Culture Systems. Journal of Fisheries and Environment, 40(2), 17–28. Retrieved from https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JFE/article/view/80916
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