Impact of Seaweed Species and Density on Mitigating Cannibalism in Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus pelagicus) Juvenile
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65411/rst.2026.268215Keywords:
Cannibalism mitigation, Crab nursing, Portunus pelagicus, Seaweed shelterAbstract
Cannibalism poses a major challenge in the aquaculture of crustaceans, particularly during the early nursery stages of the blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus), an economically important species that often experiences high mortality rates due to this behavior. This study investigated the effects of varying densities of Caulerpa lentillifera (CL), and Chaetomorpha crassa (CC), two green seaweed species, on reducing cannibalism in juvenile C2-stage crabs during their nursery phase. A two-factor experimental design was applied to crabs reared in controlled-environment indoor tanks for 30 days, based on seaweed density (0.5, 1, and 2 kg/m²) and species presence, with a negative control group lacking shelter. Based on the findings, while the seaweed species did not significantly influence growth parameters, the density of 0.5 kg/m² promoted higher growth rates, although these were not significantly different from the negative control. Conversely, the 2 kg/m² density of CC resulted in a substantial reduction in cannibalism, particularly from day 20 onward, with the lowest mortality rates observed under this treatment. These results underscore the importance of optimizing seaweed density and species type to enhance survival rates in crab juveniles, suggesting that CC at 0.5 kg/m² was optimal for growth, while CC at 2 kg/m² was most effective in minimizing cannibalism.
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