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A Mixed Culture Trail of Mud Crab (scylla Serrata Forskal) with Tilapia ( Oreocromis Niloticus L.)

S. Rahman
Brackish water Station, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Khulna 9280 Bangladesh

M.E. Hoq
Freshwater station, BFRI, Mymensingh

S.U. Ahmed
Brackishwater Station, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Khulna 9280 Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A ten-month study on mixed culture of mud crab Scylla serrata with tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was performed in brackish water earthen ponds using live tilapia fry as the only feed for crab. The monthly growth rate varied from 9.07-19.11 g among four treatments. Treatment T₁, cw: 0.68cm (±0.72) and bw: 19.11 gm (±12.97) showed highest performance which was followed by T₃, cw: 0.62cm (±0.60) and bw: 13.42 gm (±10.51), T₄, cw: 0.65cm (±0.64) and bw: 13.20 gm (±9.89) and T₂, cw: 0.36cm (± 0.25) and bw: 9.07 gm (±8.05). Highest survivability of crabs was also recorded in T₁ (21.5%) which was followed by T₂ (15.65%), T₄ (14.95%) and T₃ (14.15%). In terms of survivability, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed among the treatments whereas these were recorded as insignificant difference (p<0.05) in final weight, weight gain and production of crabs and tilapia. Mixed culture of mud crab with tilapia could make more rewarding than crab monoculture but the study suggests that only tilapia fry can not fulfill the feed requirement of crabs in respects of survivability, final body weight and weight gain. Besides, existed salinity level of 4-12 ppt during experimental period might be the another key factor for low survivability and weight gain.

Keywords: Mud crab, Tilapia, Mixed culture, Salinity

Location: Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Brackishwater Station, Paikgacha, Khulna

Start Date: 00-05-2000

End Date: 00-03-2001

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Crab

Objectives:

To identify the efficiency of live tilapia fry as feed for mud crab culture.

Methodology:

The study was conducted in brackishwater earthen ponds of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Brackishwater Station at Paikgacha, Khulna from May'00 to March'01. The experiment was designed with four treatments having two replications for each treatment viz. 10,000 crabs/ha (T₁-control), 6,000 tilapia+ 10,000 crabs/ha (T₂), 8,000 tilapia+ 10,000 crabs/ha (T₃) and 10,000 tilapia+ 10,000 crabs/ha (T₄). Pond preparation: Among eight selected ponds, six were of 0.1 ha and two of 0.05 ha each. First ponds were repaired and then fertilized urea and TSP at a rate of 40 kg/ha (urea:TSP=2:1). Bamboo fences were fixed on the embankment of the experimental ponds one meter away from the edge of water. It was done to prevent the crabs from burrowing and escaping and to provide shelter to them. Stockin& feeding and management: After three days of pond fertilization tilapia, (30.5-35.2g, @ 2 male:3 female ratio) were stocked prior to at least one month of crabling stocking to ensure tilapia fry as feed for the crablings. But due to non availability of desired number of crablings a wide range of 5-70g was stocked at different time. Rice bran was given to tilapia as supplementary feed @ 6-3 % bw of tilapia in treatments T₂-T₄. Slaughterhouse waste, as a feed for crabling, @ 10-5% bw was given to treatment T₁. Water was exchanged at a rate of 40- 45% during every new and full moon. Growth was recorded by taking the carapace width and body weight of crab and body weight of tilapia in every fortnight. The presence of tilapia was also recorded fortnightly by using push net. Physico-chemical parameters of water such as water temperature, water transparency, pH and salinity were monitored fortnightly. Crabs and tilapia were harvested by completely draining out the pond water. Comparison of the treatments was carried out using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA)

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Fish. Res.,8(1), 2004: 45-52

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Mixed culture of mud crab with tilapia could make more rewarding than crab monoculture but the study suggests that only tilapia fry can not fulfill the feed requirement of crabs in respects of survivability, final body weight and weight gain. Besides, existed salinity level of 4-12 ppt during experimental period might be the another key factor for low survivability and weight gain.

Knowledge Management: Journal