Effect of protein source on growth of early juvenile Redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (Decapoda, parastadidae)

MARÍA L GUTIÉRREZ; ENRIQUE M RODRÍGUEZ

Freshwater crayfish

International Association of Astacology

Año: 2010 vol. 17 p. 23 - 29

2076-4324

Five isoproteic (35%) and isocaloric diets were assayed on early juveniles of the crayfish C. quadricarinatus. Percentages of replacement of fish by soy meal as protein source were 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100%. Survival, weight gain and specific growth rate were determined. After 90 days, the content of protein and lipids was also determined in both the hepatopancreas and abdominal muscle of surviving animals. No significant differences in mortality were noted. The highest weight gain was observed with the replacement of 50% of fish by soy meal, this value being significantly higher than that of the diets having only one protein source. Concerning organic reserves, no differences in protein content were observed among diets containing fish meal in any percentage, neither in hepatopancreas or muscle. Diets with 50 or 25% of soy meal produced higher lipid levels in hepatopancreas than the remaining diets, while the replacement of fish by soy in 50 or 75% showed the highest lipid levels in muscle. For culture purposes, a diet with replacement of fish meal by soybean meal in 50% would yield the best growing at the lowest cost, taking into account the high cost of fish meal.