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SCOPUS 2022
UN SDG
Upcoming Event
Aquaculture Studies 2024, Vol 24, Num, 1     (Pages: AQUAST993)

An Overview of the Major Constraints in Scylla Mud Crabs Grow-out Culture and Its Mitigation Methods

Kit-Shing Liew 1 ,Francis Kai-Bin Yong 2 ,Leong-Seng Lim 1

1 Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Borneo Marine Research Institute, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
2 BV Crab Farm Pvt. Ltd, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
DOI : 10.4194/AQUAST993 Viewed : 1143 - Downloaded : 2402 Scylla mud crabs are economically important portunid species for aquaculture in many countries. However, mass production of mud crabs as a supply of seafood is still difficult up-to-date. This review aimed to provide an overview of the major constraints faced in the grow-out farming of mud crabs, and the potential solutions were discussed. The major constraints in the Scylla mud crabs' grow-out culture are (1) inadequate seed supply, (2) cannibalism, (3) disease outbreaks, and (4) no commercial formulated feed that is specifically designed for mud crabs. The inadequate wild mud crabs seed supply can be solved through artificial seed production seed in the hatcheries, but the knowledge of mud crab requirements at early life stages is needed to improve the rearing techniques and production. Cannibalism in the grow-out culture of mud crabs is manageable, provided that the farmers are knowledgeable about the basic prevention methods (shelter provision, size grading, monosex culture) and they are practicing it. On the disease outbreaks, research into discovering new alternatives to antibiotics and prevention methods should be prioritized. Finally, the commercial formulated grow-out diet that is specific for the Scylla mud crabs should be developed to replace the use of natural products for feeding. Keywords : Inadequate seed supply Cannibalism Disease Formulated diet