Effect of stocking density on growth and survival of 3-month-old juvenile marron, Cherax tenuimanus, raised in a semi-controlled environment

• Published in: Journal of applied aquaculture 1998, Vol.8 (4), p.27-37
• Main Authors: Fotedar, R.K, Knott, B, Evans, L.H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: biomass production; Cherax tenuimanus; growth; growth rate; mortality; shellfish culture; size; stocking rate; yields
• ISSN: 1045-4438; 1545-0805

The effect of three stocking densities (3, 6, and 13 animals/m super(2)) on growth, survival, biomass, harvest rate, and the size distribution of 3-month-old marron, Cherax tenuimanus (3.1 plus or minus 0.1 g mean initial weight), was assessed in a 160-day trial in a recirculating system. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in specific growth rates (SGR) at the end of 160 days. Survival of marron at 13/m super(2) was significantly lower than marron stocked at 3 and 6/m super(2) (70.0% and 57.5%, respectively). Harvest rate of marron stocked at 6/m super(2) was 101.3 g/m super(2), which was significantly higher than the harvest rate of marron stocked at 3 and 13/m super(2) (48.7 g/m super(2) and 58.7 g/m super(2), respectively). By the end of the trial, the densities of all treatments had decreased to the same level (2.3 to 3.0/m super(2)). Final size frequency distribution of marron at the stocking density of 6/m super(2) was flat and less positively skewed as compared to the 3 and 13/m super(2) treatments. Therefore, the stocking density of 6/m super(2) is recommended under semi-controlled environment.