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PROTEIN-BASED DIETS AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE FATTENING EFFICIENCY OF MUD CRAB (SCYLLA SERRATA)

Lakmal Fernando·Nirosha Peiris·Silva Perera
Published 22 January 2025
Vol. 11, No. 4 (2023)
pp. 1-21
CC BY 4.0
  1. 1
    Lakmal Fernando
    Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makadura, Gonawila (NWP), Sri Lanka
    LK
  2. 2
    Nirosha Peiris
    Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
    LK
  3. 3
    Silva Perera
    Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka 4 Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
    PT

Mud crabs, belonging to the genus Scylla, are prized edible crustaceans found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific region. They include species like Scylla serrata, Scylla tranquebarica, Scylla olivacea, and Scylla paramamosain, each distinct in its own right. These crabs are not only known for their delicious flavor but also for their nutritional value, boasting essential amino acids, proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vital minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus. Mud crab aquaculture is crucial for small-scale fisheries in the Indo-Pacific region, contributing to commercial demand. One method employed is crab fattening, which involves rapidly increasing the crab's weight and size. This process can take anywhere from 15 to 60 days and is carried out in various enclosures, including earthen ponds, bamboo enclosures, net cages, floating cages, and plastic boxes. Successful crab fattening relies on factors such as providing essential crab nutrition, maintaining water flow and quality, monitoring soil quality, and managing crab density within the ponds. Proper attention to these variables ensures that "water crabs" or "empty crabs" can attain the desired size and meet market demand.

JournalColumbia Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
ISSN3065-0380
Volume / IssueVol. 11, No. 4 (2023)
Pages1-21
Published22 January 2025
Access Open Access
LicenseCC BY 4.0 — reuse with attribution
PublisherKeith Publications
Fernando, L., Peiris, N., Perera, S. (2025). PROTEIN-BASED DIETS AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE FATTENING EFFICIENCY OF MUD CRAB (SCYLLA SERRATA). Columbia Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 1-21

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