Reproduction efficiency of the crayfish Procambarus acanthophorus in relation to size and diet

Reproductive efficiency of the largest individuals and a random group of broodstock of crayfish Procambarus acanthophorus was measured using two commercial shrimp feeds, Feed 1 (F1) broodstocks (40%/9% protein/lipids) and Feed 2 (F2) growth-out (35%/7% protein/lipids). An experimental design of four treatments with two replicates was used. Females were labeled with elastomers to determine the time between spawning and number of offspring per treatment. The number of ovigerous females in the largest individuals fed F2 (58) was significantly higher than ovigerous females in the control group fed F1 (30).The number of young crayfish per female produced in the largest individuals (173 ± 71.6) treatment was significantly higher than the crayfish produced in the control group (86.6 ± 42.6). The average interval between spawns, regardless of diet, in the largest females was 2.9 months and 2.6 months in control group females.