Technological scheme and biotechnical indices of industrial cultivation of Australian redclaw crayfish juveniles in aquaculture

Abstract

The aim of the work: forming technological scheme and biotechnical indices of industrial cultivation of Australian redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus juveniles under controlled conditions based on a generalization of available research investigations.Used methods: the study was carried out on the basis of the aquarium room of Invertebrate Aquaculture Department of VNIRO on Australian redclaw crayfish juveniles and adults in the period from 2010 till 2023. Standard methods were used to determine hydrochemical parameters and fish-cultural and biological indicators of individuals. Studies were carried out on the characteristics of the life cycle, early stages of development, physiology and nutrition. The data was processed using statistical methods.Novelty: A technological scheme and biotechnical indicators of industrial rearing under RAS conditions have been formulated for Australian redclaw crayfish juveniles.Results: A technological scheme and biotechnical indicators for cultivation of Australian redclaw crayfish juveniles have been developed for a modular basin complex. The technological scheme includes six stages: “Selection and housing of brood stock” (1); “Mating and obtaining gravid females” (2); “Maintenance of females with eggs and early juveniles” (3); “Ongrowing of juveniles to 0.2–0.8 g” (4); “Ongrowing of juveniles from 0.2–0.8 g to 2–5 g” (5); “Ongrowing of juveniles for broodstock remount” (6). The success of stages 1 and 2 depends on the spawners’ physiological state, which is determined by the housing conditions during the preparation of crayfish for mating. Stages 3–6 require the use of single-type basins, specialization of which is achieved through the installation of sedimentation tanks for holding females with eggs, shelters and volume-structuring substrates of different types.Practical significance: application of the proposed biotechnical methods and approaches to the production and cultivation of juvenile Australian redclaw crayfish will optimize the cultivation of the species, which will be beneficial for the development of its cultivation in fish farms.