A rearing system for the
culture of ornamental decapod crustacean larvae
R. Calado, L. Narciso, S. Morais, A. L. Rhyne, J.
Lin-2003
Aquaculture, 218(1-4): 329-339
Abstract:
The design and operation of a small research scale
and a mass commercial scale rearing system for the culture of marine
ornamental decapod crustacean larvae are described in the present paper.
Preliminary data on the culture of the Mediterranean cleaner shrimp (Lysmata
seticaudata), peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni), blue-white
partner shrimp (Periclimenes sagittifer), sponge crab (Cryptodromiopsis
antillensis) and green emerald crab (Mithraculus sculptus) are
also presented. The use of these "plantonkreisel" based systems
allowed the complete larval development of the above-mentioned species,
inducing minimal mechanical stress while keeping an excellent water quality.
Higher survival rates (up to 70% and 60% for L. seticaudata and L.
wurdemanni, respectively) to the post-larval stage and a shorter larval
stage duration (27 and 22 days for L. seticaudata and L.
wurdemanni, respectively) were achieved, in comparison to conventional
rearing systems. This culture technology may play a key role in the
realisation of a commercial culture of these highly priced crustacean
species and therefore the reduction of wild specimen collection.