Survival and moulting rates of larvae of Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 under different environmental circumstances (Brachyura, Portunidae)

Abstract

This study investigated the well-being and survival of larvae of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, under the influence of several abiotic and biotic factors, in order to collect relevant data for optimizing the larval period in the culture of this species. Aspects tested and examined were primarily: water volume, stocking density, salinity, (frequency of) moulting, starvation, mortality, cannibalism, behavioural aspects (e.g., mobility, intraspecific aggression), larval development, as well as the influence of ground colours. All aspects appeared to influence the duration and success of the larval period, from zoea-I to megalopa, but the main difference was observed to be related to the (water) volume of the culture tanks.