Optimization of the stocking density of mud crab, Scylla serrata culture in Brackishwater earthen ponds in Bangladesh

Abstract

A study on the optimization of stocking density of mud crab, Scylla serrata in the grow out system in brackishwater earthen ponds (400m² each) was each) was carried out it for a periods of five months. Crabs (40- 0-50g) were stocked d @ 2,500, 5,000, 7,500 and 10,000 /ha under four treatinents T?. TT of T., respectively, with three replications of each. The crabs were fed with slaughtered house waste at the rate of 5.10% of the biomass. Significantly (< 0.05) higher specific growth rate (SGR) of 0.09% day, survival rate of 66.25% were observed in T? followed by T?, T, and Ta, but the total production of mud crab of 610 kg/ha was significantly (p< 0.05) higher in (7.500 nos/ha) followed by 569.64 kg/ha in T. (10,000 nos/has), 481.66 kg/ha in T? (5,000 nos/ha) and 328.48 kg/ha in T? (2,500 nos/ha). respectively. Considering the final weight, SGR and survival rate of mud crab, better performance of producing internationally accepted marketable size crabs (>180g) were achieved with the lower stocking density of 2,500 nos/ha though the total production was lower than the other socking densities.