Effects of feeding practical diets containing different protein levels, with or without fish meal, on growth, survival, body composition and processing traits of male and female Australian red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) grown in ponds

Four practical diets containing 2% of crude protein (CP) (180 and 280 g kg^?1), with or without menhaden fish meal (FM), were fed to Australian red claw Cherax quadricarinatus during a 97‐day feeding trial. Growth, survival, body composition and processing traits of pond‐cultured red claw were determined. Juvenile red claw (mean individual weight of 5.75 ± 3.3 g) were randomly stocked into twelve 0.04‐ha ponds at a rate of 1000 per pond (25 000 ha^?1), and each diet was fed to three ponds. At harvest, the final mean weight of red claw fed Diet 4 (0 g kg^?1 FM and 280 g kg^?1 CP) and Diet 3 (113 g kg^?1 FM and 280 g kg^?1 CP) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher (62.4 and 58.5 g, respectively) than red claw fed Diet 1 (73 g kg^?1 FM and 180 g kg^?1 CP; 51.7 g) and Diet 2 (0 g kg^?1 FM and 180 g kg^?1 CP; 53.0 g). Red claw fed diets containing 280 g kg^?1 CP, with or without FM, had significantly higher percent weight gain (894 and 959%, respectively) compared to red claw fed 180 g kg^?1 CP, with or without FM (778 and 799%, respectively). Feed conversion ratio, percent survival, and total yield among treatments, which averaged 3.55, 65.2%, and 724 kg ha^?1 overall, were not significantly different. Results from this study indicate that pond‐cultured red claw stocked at 25 000 ha^?1 can be fed a practical diet containing 280 g kg^?1 CP with 0 g kg^?1 FM if a combination of plant‐protein ingredients (soybean meal, distillers’ dried grains with solubles, and milo) is added; however, if the percentage of dietary protein level is 180 g kg^?1, growth is reduced even if FM is added at 73 g kg^?1 of the diet. Use of diets containing plant‐protein sources may help reduce diet costs to producers and thereby, increase profits.     

Effects on growth,survival, body composition,processing traits and water quality when feeding a diet without vitamin and mineral supplements to Australian red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) grown in ponds

To be profitable, producers must reduce diet costs, which can be as high as 80% of the variable costs of an aquaculture expense. As vitamin and mineral premixes represent a significant cost, eliminating addition of these premixes could reduce diet costs if no adverse effects were observed for growth and production parameters. A 105‐day feeding trial was conducted with juvenile Australian red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) to evaluate the effects of growth, survival, body composition, processing traits and water quality when red claw were fed a supplemental diet containing 28% crude protein (CP) without vitamin and mineral premixes (and supplemented alfalfa hay) compared with red claw fed a diet (control diet) containing 42% CP, vitamin and mineral premixes, and with supplemented alfalfa hay, and compared with red claw only fed alfalfa hay when grown in ponds. Juvenile red claw (mean weight of 15.7 ± 1.0 g) were randomly stocked into nine 0.02‐ha ponds at a rate of 640 per pond (3.2 per m²), and each treatment was used in three ponds. There were two feedings per day, each consisting of one‐half of the total daily ration. At harvest, individual weight, percentage weight gain, specific growth rate, survival and total yield of red claw fed a control diet was significantly higher (P < 0.05) (83.0 g, 398%, 1.53% day^?1, 65.1%,and 1708 kg ha^?1 respectively) compared with red claw only fed alfalfa hay (44.9 g, 202%, 1.04% day^?1, 30.3% and 431 kg ha^?1, respectively), but not different (P > 0.05) from red claw fed the supplemental diet without vitamin and mineral premixes (76.2 g, 367%, 1.47% day^?1, 57.2% and 1378 kg ha^?1). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in feed conversion ratio (FCR) among treatments, which averaged 5.0 (based on prepared diet input). These results indicate that vitamin and mineral supplementation in a diet is not necessary when diet containing 28% CP and alfalfa hay are used in combination for pond grown red claw. These results may help reduce diet costs and possibly increase producers’ profits which might allow for industry expansion.     

Lecithin requirements of juvenile Australian red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus

Australian red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus is considered a popular crustacean species in several countries around the world because of its large size potential and resemblance to high‐priced American lobsters. However, little is currently known of the nutrient requirements and practical diet formulations for red claw. Lecithin has been shown to be required in the diets of several crustacean species, but there are no reports of dietary lecithin requirements for red claw. A 10‐week feeding trial was conducted in an effort to evaluate lecithin requirements for juvenile red claw. Juvenile red claw (mean individual weight of 1.6 ± 0.91 g) were individually stocked in a recirculating system at random into 80 plastic‐mesh culture units, each containing its own individual water line. There were 20 red claw per treatment (diet). Water was recirculated through biological and mechanical filters. Four semi‐purified diets were formulated to contain increasing percentages of commercial soya bean lecithin (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%). Diet ingredients included solvent‐extracted menhaden fish meal (FM), casein, dextrin, wheat flour, pellet binder, vitamin and mineral mix, cod liver oil, and corn oil. Semi‐purified diets were formulated to contain 40% protein using casein, menhaden FM, and wheat flour as protein sources. After 10 weeks, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were found in final weight, percentage weight gain and specific growth rate with average values of 13.0 g, 934%, and 3.14% day^?1, respectively. Percentage survival was high during the 10‐week period (100, 95, 100 and 95%) as only two individuals died during the study; one of these, because of an escape from the culture unit. There was also no significant differences (P > 0.05) in percentage moisture, protein, fat and ash in whole‐body red claw carcasses (wet‐weight basis) among any treatment (diet) and averaged 77.1, 12.6, 1.3 and 6.2%, respectively. Based upon the present study, these results indicate that a diet containing 5% cod liver oil and 1% corn oil, and having no supplemental lecithin, may be sufficient for growth and survival of juvenile red claw crayfish.     

Evaluation of practical diets containing different protein levels on gonad development of female redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus

The effect of five experimental diets with different crude protein content (220, 270, 330, 390 and 450 g kg⁻¹) on gonad development of female Cherax quadricarinatus was tested under laboratory conditions. After 70 days, a significant linear relationship indicated that higher concentrations of protein and carbohydrates in the hepatopancreas were produced as the dietary crude protein increased ( P  < 0.05). There were significant responses of the gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index, biochemical composition of the gonad (protein, lipids, carbohydrates and energy) and frequency of secondary vitellogenic oocytes to dietary protein level, as indicated by significant fits of the quadratic equation to the observed experimental data. The optimal response of the criteria parameters corresponded to levels of crude protein in the range 284–355 g kg⁻¹. Overall, 330 g kg⁻¹ crude protein with a protein : energy ratio of 15.6 mg kJ^–1 was considered the most adequate concentration of dietary protein for gonad development and biochemical composition in female redclaw crayfish.     

Evaluation of practical diets containing various terrestrial protein sources on survival and growth parameters of redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus

Redclaw aquaculture has developed at a rapid pace during the past few years, yet no specialized diet for the species has been developed. The present study was designed to evaluate whether soybean‐based diets containing either fishmeal (FM), poultry by‐product meal (PBM), ground peameal (GPM) or distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) meal as a protein source are suitable for redclaw aquaculture. Juvenile redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (0.125±0.025 g) were stocked into 20 rectangular tanks at a stocking density of 12.5 m^?2 for 8 weeks. Crayfish in four replicate tanks were maintained on one of five diets formulated to contain 35% crude protein and 7.1% lipids. Each 100 g of diet contained 25 g of protein from soybean meal (SBM) and 10 g of protein from the alternative protein sources mentioned above. A fifth treatment that did not receive feed was included to account for growth from natural productivity. There were no significant differences in survival (86–90%), growth (3.84–4.98 g animal^?1) or feed conversion ratio (2.10–2.79) of crayfish among the four treatments (P>0.05). Survival and growth of crayfish in the treatment that received no supplementary feed were significantly less than those in treatments offered experimental diets. Results of the present experiment suggest that SBM‐based diets with PBM, FM, DDGS or GPM have similar effects on growth performance and survival of juvenile redclaw, C. quadricarinatus.     

Effect of different dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and survival of juvenile Australian redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens)

This study determined the effect of different dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and survival of juvenile redclaw Cherax quadricarinatus. Nine practical test diets were formulated to contain three crude protein (CP) levels [260, 310 and 360 g kg^?1, equivalent to 225, 260 and 296 g kg^?1 digestible protein (DP) respectively] at three crude lipid (CL) levels (40, 80 and 120 g kg^?1, equivalent to 38, 67 and 103 digestible lipids respectively), with digestible protein : digestible energy (DP : DE) ranging from 14.6 to 22.6 mg protein kJ g^?1. Three replicate groups of 15 crayfish (initial weight mean ± SD, 0.71 ± 0.13 g) per diet treatment were stocked in 40 L tanks, at 28 °C for 60 days. The highest mean weight, specific growth rate and biomass, with values of 7.0 g, 3.67% day^?1, and 370.2 g m^?2, respectively, were achieved by feeding a diet with P : L = 310 : 80 (P < 0.05). The treatments resulted in a survival rate of 80–91%, feed conversion ratio of 1.08–1.61 and protein efficiency ratio of 2.24–3.08. Results indicated that a diet containing 270 g kg^?1 DP (equivalent to 320 g kg^?1 CP), 75 g kg^?1 digestible lipid (DL) with a DP/DE of 18.4 mg protein kJ^?1, and 0.031 g protein per animal per day was optimum for juvenile C. quadricarinatus under the tested experimental conditions.     

不同光周期下红螯螯虾幼虾摄食节律的研究

在不同光周期下对红螯螯虾(Cherax quadricarinatus)幼虾的摄食节律进行了研究。结果显示:红螯螯虾具有明显的日摄食节律,24 L(持续光照)、12 L∶12 D(12 h光照:12 h黑暗)和24 D(持续黑暗)光周期下,其摄食率、摄食量和摄食发生率均在19∶00-21∶00和5∶00-7∶00出现峰值,分别为:13.01%和15.58%、20.82%和14.75%、12.77%和16.89%,属晨昏型摄食。光周期和不同时段对红鳌幼虾摄食无显著的交互作用(P>0.05)。     

不同养殖水色对红螯螯虾稚虾存活、生长和体色的影响

以经过曝气的透明自来水为养殖水体作为实验对照组,通过添加人工色素调控养殖水色(黄色、蓝色、绿色),探究了养殖水色对红螯螯虾(Cherax quadricarinatus)稚虾存活、生长和体色的影响.结果显示,对照组、黄色和蓝色实验组的成活率均约50％,绿色实验组的较低(33.33％,P<0.05).绿色实验组的增重率、...     

红螯螯虾冷休克蛋白Y-box编码基因的克隆及表达分析

采用RT-PCR和RACE技术,从红螯螯虾(Cherax quadricarinatus)血细胞中分离到冷休克蛋白Y-box编码基因的cDNA序列。结果显示,冷休克蛋白Y-box编码基因的长度为1 733 bp,其中包括82 bp的5'非翻译区、676 bp的3'非翻译区和975 bp的编码序列,可编码324个氨基酸。理论相对分子质量和等电点分别为35 800和9.81。结构域分析和序列比对显示,红螯螯虾冷休克Y-box蛋白由3部分组成:富含丙氨酸或脯氨酸区域、冷休克结构域和带电荷区域,其中冷休克结构域高度保守。系统进化树分析表明,红螯螯虾冷休克Y-box蛋白与水蚤等节肢动物冷休克Y-box蛋白聚类,且三级结构非常相似。最适温度养殖条件下,冷休克蛋白Y-box的虾组织分布特异性研究表明,红螯螯虾神经组织的冷休克蛋白Y-box转录活性最强,而后依次为肝脏、血淋巴和鳃,在肠和心脏中也有活性,在肌肉组织中转录保持较低水平,揭示神经组织是重要的冷休克Y-box蛋白表达区。     

Influence of insoluble dietary cellulose on digestive enzyme activity, feed digestibility and survival in the red claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens)

Red claw (Cherax quadricarinatus) is a freshwater crayfish species with recognized potential for aquaculture. To better understand the digestive processes and nutritional requirements of red claw, we have examined the effects of dietary cellulose on (1) digestive enzyme activity and diet digestibility and (2) survival rate, feed conversion ratio and growth performance. In the first study, a reference diet (RF) and test diets consisting of 70% RF and 30%α‐cellulose or Fuller's earth were prepared. Analysis of digestive enzyme profiles revealed that amylase and cellulase activities in midgut gland (MG) extracts were highest in the red claw fed on a diet containing 30% Fuller's earth and lowest in those fed on a diet containing 30%α‐cellulose. Supplementation of the RF diet with either 30%α‐cellulose or Fuller's earth significantly reduced apparent dry mater (ADMD) and apparent protein digestibilities (APD). In the second study, a feeding trial was conducted using diets supplemented with different levels of α‐cellulose. A major finding was that dietary cellulose levels above 12% were correlated with significant reductions in survival rate, specific growth rate and feeding efficiency. Based on these findings, we suggest that although cellulase enzymes are present in the red claw digestive system there are no apparent nutritive benefits obtained by including insoluble cellulose in diets for this species.     

Growth response and fatty acid composition of juvenile red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) fed different sources of dietary lipid

A study was conducted to determine the effects of different sources of dietary lipid that differ in fatty acid (FA) composition on growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival, and whole‐body proximate and FA composition of juvenile red claw. Juvenile red claw (0.55 ± 0.02 g) were reared over a 12‐week period. Five practical diets were supplemented with 70 g kg^?1 oil (by weight) from either linseed oil (LO), canola oil (CAO), corn oil (CO), beef tallow (BT) or menhaden oil (MO) and formulated to contain 400 g kg^?1 crude protein. Red claw were fed three times daily (800, 1200 and 1600) to controlled excess. At the conclusion of the experimental period, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) found in percentage survival and FCR among dietary treatments and values averaged 85.4% and 3.4, respectively. However, final mean weight and specific growth rate of red claw fed Diet 1 (LO) was significantly higher (16.44 g and 3.95% day^?1, respectively) compared with that of red claw fed Diet 4 (BT; 12.24 g and 3.43% day^?1, respectively), but not different from red claw fed the other three diets. Likewise, red claw fed Diets 1 (LO) and 2 (CAO) had significantly higher percentage weight gain (2990 and 2880%, respectively) compared with the BT diet (2124%), but not different from red claw fed Diets 3 (CO) and 5 (MO). Whole‐body fat and ash composition was significantly affected (P < 0.05) by source of added lipid, but no differences were found in whole‐body moisture and protein. Moreover, whole‐body FA composition showed differences among the varying oil sources and primarily reflected the FA in the diets. Results of the present study indicate that plant oils LO, CAO and CO rich in linolenic acid (18:3n‐3), linoleic acid (18:2n‐6) and oleic acid (18:1n‐9) perform as well as MO containing high levels of n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids eicosapentanoic acid (20:5n‐3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3) for juvenile red claw crayfish grown indoors lacking natural food items. Further, red claw fed a diet containing BT, which has a high percentage of saturated FA, performed poorly compared with LO and CO in regards to weight gain. It appears that juvenile red claw can be fed diets containing less expensive plant‐based oils with high levels of 18‐carbon unsaturated fatty acids. This could reduce diet costs for producers and allow for profitability.     

Effect of dietary protein level on the growth and survival of pre-adult freshwater crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens) in monosex culture

Feeding trials with five levels of crude protein (CP) (22%, 27%, 33%, 39%, and 45%) and digestible energy ranging from 14.32 to 15.21 kJ g^?1 were carried out to determine optimum dietary protein for the growth and production of pre‐adult freshwater crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus. Triplicate groups of males (ω=23.1±0.58 g) and females (ω=21.8±0.33 g) were fed diets for 70 days in monosex culture. Optimal digestible protein (DP) was estimated for males by fitting mean weight gain to a quadratic model (y=27.86+0.839x–0.0216x², r²=0.945), and a linear model for females (y=32.84–0.0745x, r²=0.959). Optimal male growth occurred with 25.6% CP, equivalent to 19.4% DP. Male crayfish attained significantly higher final weights and absolute growth rate than females fed the 22%, 27%, and 33% CP diets. The results indicated that a 19.4% DP diet, with a P/E ratio of 11.4 mg kJ^?1, produces an optimum growth response for pre‐adult C. quadricarinatus under experimental conditions.     

饲料蛋白质水平对红螯螯虾生长、消化酶和抗氧化系统的影响

为了探讨饲料不同蛋白质水平对红螯螯虾(Cherax quadricarinatus)生长及生理生化的影响,按照等能量不等蛋白的原则,配置蛋白质水平分别为20%、24%、28%、32%、36%、40%的6组饲料投喂初始体重为(0.35±0.07)g的红螯螯虾幼虾60 d,然后测定各相关指标。存活率随着饲料蛋白质水平的增加逐渐升高(P<0.05)。当饲料蛋白质水平为28%时,特定生长率、肥满度最高,饲料系数最低。饲料不同蛋白质水平对红螯螯虾胃中的蛋白酶活性影响显著(P<0.05),胃蛋白酶活力先升高后下降,32%组活性最大。肝胰腺中的淀粉酶、谷草转氨酶(GOT)、过氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性变化不显著(P>0.05)。谷丙转氨酶(GPT)活性随着蛋白质水平的增加逐渐升高(P<0.05)。过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性先升高后降低,腮Na+-K+ATP酶则相反(P<0.05)。36%组和40%组的丙二醛(MDA)含量最高,其次为20%组,均显著高于其他各组(P<0.05)。结果表明红螯螯虾对饲料蛋白质含量的要求较低,28%即可满足其要求。豆粕含量过高可能会影响其生长。     

Effect of dietary protein level on growth and survival of juvenile freshwater crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (Decapoda: Parastacidae)

Protein requirements of juvenile freshwater crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus, with initial mean weight of 1.08 ± 0.34 g, were studied. Juveniles were fed experimental diets containing seven levels of crude protein (CP) (20, 25, 31, 37, 43, 49, and 55%) and 18.73–21.45 kJ  g^?1 of gross energy. The highest mean weight and specific growth rate (SGR) (P < 0.05), with values of 9.6 g, and 3.64% day^?1, respectively, were achieved by feeding a diet of 31% CP. This diet resulted in a survival rate of 80% over 60 days of culture at 27 °C. The higher protein level tested (55% CP), yielded a significantly (P < 0.05) lower mean weight of 6.4 g. However, there were no significant differences in SGR among the 20, 25, and 49% CP diets. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was close to 1 for all treatments except the lowest (20%) and highest (55%) CP. Optimum protein requirements were estimated by fitting mean weight gain data to a quadratic model (y = 1.142+0.484 ? 0.0071x², r² = 0.952, P < 0.05). Optimal growth occurred with 34.2% CP, but the results suggest that optimum protein level for 1‐g juvenile C. quadricarinatus is 31% in least‐cost diets. The information obtained will contribute to the formulation of diets that will enhance production of C. quadricarinatus.     

Effect of protein and lipid levels in diets for female red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus on quality of offspring (juvenile), with emphasis on growth performance,biochemical composition and stress resistance to low oxygen,high ammonia and salinity

This study measures the effect of protein and lipid levels in broodstock diet on the quality of juvenile Cherax quadricarinatus. Diets with different contents of crude protein (180, 250, 310, 370 g kg^?1) and lipids (30 and 70 g kg^?1) were offered to female crayfish. Juveniles were used to assess initial weight (IW), biochemical composition (BC) and survival to stress tests (ST). After 50 days, growth was estimated. No significant effects of broodstock diet on IW and BC of juveniles were detected. Protein content (PC) significantly influenced growth (P < 0.05), with an optimum level of 250 g kg^?1, representing a weight gain of 1.17 g (98.08% body weight). PC significantly influenced survival of juveniles exposed to ST (P < 0.05). Results from fitting dose–response models indicated that maximum survival was obtained with PC above 261, 258 and 312 g kg^?1 for hypoxia, salinity, ammonia tests. No significant effect of dietary lipid level was observed on growth and survival to ST, except for greater survival to ammonia ST at lipid content of 70 g kg^?1. We recommend feed with PC of 260 g kg^?1 to simultaneously enhance growth and quality of juveniles.     

Influence of dietary protein on digestive enzyme activity, growth and tail muscle composition in redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary protein on digestive enzyme profiles, growth and tail muscle composition in the freshwater redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus. Crayfish were fed five diets that consisted of a commercial crayfish pellet and experimental diets containing 13%, 18%, 25% or 32% crude protein (CP), for a period of 12 weeks. Analysis of digestive enzyme profiles from the midgut gland (MG) revealed a positive correlation between protease, amylase and cellulase activities and dietary protein level. For all treatments, carbohydrase activity levels (cellulase and amylase) were significantly higher than those detected for protease. As dietary protein was elevated, there was a general increase in specific growth rate (SGR), with the highest SGR (0.58 ± 0.06) values observed in crayfish fed the diet containing 25% CP. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) ranged between 5.84 and 6.97 and did not differ significantly among the treatment groups including the reference diet, with the exception of the low‐protein diet (13% CP) which showed an FCR of 9.31. Finally, regression analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between the level of dietary protein and CP content in the tail muscle (P=0.004; r²=0.99).     

Effects of including shrimp protein hydrolysate in practical diets on the growth and survival of redclaw crayfish hatchlings Cherax quadricarinatus (Von Martens, 1868)

An experiment was carried out to analyse the effects of substituting fish‐meal (FM) with soya bean meal and shrimp protein hydrolysate (SPH) on the percent survival, growth rate, feed efficiency and molt frequency of redclaw crayfish hatchlings, Cherax quadricarinatus. The experiment was performed in a closed recirculating‐water system over a 56‐day period. Five diets were tested: a control diet (SPH₀) comprising 100% FM without SPH, and four diets with 2.5%, 5.0%, 10.0% and 15.0% SPH substitution (diets SPH_2.5, SPH₅, SPH₁₀ and SPH₁₅ respectively). Analysis of water quality indicated that it was adequate to maintain a good growth and survival of hatchlings. The results showed that 100% survival was obtained for hatchlings fed with SPH₅, SPH₁₀ and SPH₁₅ diets. Higher mean values of final weight were obtained for the SPH₅ diet. The highest weight gain was observed in SPH_2.5 and SPH₅ diets. Hatchlings showed similar specific growth rates for all diets. The efficiency rate of the SPH₁₅ diet was lower compared to the other diets. Overall, individual feed consumption was higher in hatchlings fed diets of SPH₅ and SPH₁₅. It is recommended that 5.0% of SPH could be included in diets of hatchling redclaw crayfish to improve their growth efficiency.     

饲料中蛋白质水平对克氏原螯虾生长性能及肌肉品质的影响

以初始平均体质量为(3.69±0.05)g的克氏原螯虾幼虾为研究对象,配制蛋白质水平分别为27.72％、30.09％、33.05％、35.31％和37.57％的5种等能、等脂的配合饲料,进行为期47 d的饲养试验,探索饲料中不同蛋白质水平对克氏原螯虾生长性能、肌肉质构特性、常规营养成分及氨基酸组成和含量的影响.结果 表...     

Effect of dietary protein content on growth performance, feed utilization and carcass composition in the Australian freshwater crayfish, Cherax albidus Clark and Cherax destructor Clark (Decapoda, Parastacidae)

Cherax albidus (A) and Cherax destructor (D) male juveniles (mean weight 0.95 ± 0.03 g) were reared for 20 weeks on isoenergetic diets containing 150 g kg^?1 protein (A 15, D15) or 300 g kg^?1 protein (A30, D30). Mean weight, percentage weight gain, and specific growth rate (%) were substantially higher for both species on the 300 g kg^?1 protein diet. Mean percentage weight gain ranged from 2.39% day^?1 (D15) to 17.59% day^?1 (A30). A maximum weight of 33.81 g was attained by C. albidus on the higher protein diet. The most effective utilization of food was observed in C. albidus when fed the higher protein diet (food conversion ratio, 0.79; protein efficiency ratio, 4.21; apparent net protein utilization, 44.64%). Carcass composition was influenced by feed type. The higher protein diet resulted in an increase in carcass protein and ash and a decrease in carcass lipid and energy relative to the low-protein diet (150 g kg^?1 protein diet –C. albidus: 37.15% protein, 15.00% lipid, 25.20% ash, 15.55kJ g^?1 energy; C. destructor: 38.10% protein, 15.43% lipid, 25.70% ash, 15.65kJ g^?1 energy; 300 g kg^?1 protein diet –C. albidus: 46.10% protein, 8.71% lipid, 27.36% ash, 14.94kJ g^?1 energy; C. destructor: 42.99% protein, 8.56% lipid, 26.44% ash, 14.71kJ g^?1 energy). Carcass moisture and calcium were not affected by feed type. The time spent in the intermoult phase of growth was highly dependent on the premoult weight and varied according to diet and to species. A comparison of animals of similar weight (< 8 g) revealed that elevated dietary protein caused a reduction in the intermoult period by 11 days in C. albidus and 7 days in C. destructor. The moult increment, however, was independent of animal weight, and the highest percentage weight increment occurred for C. albidus fed the 300 g kg^?1 protein diet (per cent weight increase; A15, 33.1%; A30, 61.3%; D15, 31.2%; D30, 56.5%). Dietary induced morphological changes were also recorded. Animals of a standard carapace length had significantly larger abdomens (both species) and larger claws (C. albidus) when fed the higher protein diet.     

眼柄摘除对红螯光壳螯虾生长、性腺发育及体色的影响

为探究眼柄摘除对红螯光壳螯虾(Cherax quadriarinatus)生长、性腺发育及体色的影响,对6月龄红螯光壳螯虾[体质量(47.47±3.48)g]进行了摘除眼柄处理实验。结果显示,4周后摘除双侧眼柄组红螯光壳螯虾体质量为(84.40±13.41)g,显著高于不摘除眼柄组[(49.63±6.47)g]和摘除单侧眼柄组[(51.47±4.08)g](P<0.05);摘除双侧眼柄组红螯光壳螯虾存活率为60.0%±4.8%,显著低于不摘除眼柄组和摘除单侧眼柄组(分别为94.4%±2.3%和97.2%±2.1%);摘除双侧眼柄组红螯光壳螯虾性腺指数为1.23±0.50,显著高于不摘除眼柄组(0.20±0.06)和摘除单侧眼柄组(0.35±0.08)。利用ImageJ软件对红螯光壳螯虾体色RGB值分析表明,摘除双眼柄组红螯光壳螯虾体色G值和B值(分别为99.26±5.23和98.40±3.58)显著高于摘除单侧眼柄组(59.02±3.85和44.07±4.57)(P<0.05)。结果表明,眼柄摘除能促进红螯光壳螯虾生长和性腺发育,影响体色变化。