Crustacean aquaculture

Abstract

AbstractCrustaceans are aquatic arthropods that grow in steps rather than continuously by moulting (i.e. by replacing their exoskeleton). Although they are taxonomically highly diverse only few species from the order Decapoda are used for commercial seafood production. Small crustaceans from the order Branchiopoda are used as live food in aquaculture hatcheries. Aquaculture of crustaceans is mostly based on semi-intensive pond culture that utilizes coastal wetlands and has been developed unsustainably during the initial period of rapid growth. Crustacean aquaculture ranks second after fish in terms of value and third after fish and molluscs in terms of production yield. The Western whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) accounts for more than half of all crustacean aquaculture. Other important species include euryhaline crabs, freshwater prawns, and freshwater crayfish. Shrimps and prawns develop by succession through planktonic nauplius, zoea, and mysis larval stages, while crab development includes planktonic zoea and megalopa larval stages. However, crayfish lack any planktonic larval stages, which simplifies their culture. Hatcheries operating in intensive production mode and nurseries producing juveniles are increasingly utilized for aquaculture of crustaceans before transferring juveniles to grow-out systems. Opportunities for increasing the ecological sustainability of crustacean aquaculture include utilization of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for grow-out, reduction of water used by semi-intensive pond aquaculture, treatment of waste and sludge generated in aquaculture ponds instead of disposal into wild habitat, increased utilization of by-products, improved polyculture systems, increased biosecurity, and utilization of indigenous species.