Growth and feed utilization in Potamon ebonyicum (Crustacea; Brachyura) fed domestic catfish feed in South East Nigeria

Abstract

Evaluation of growth performance of Potamon ebonyicum (mud crab) fed ready analyzed domestic catfish feed for a period 6 weeks was carried out in intensive system. Two treatments established during the experiments were replicated 3 times. Mean weight of the females was 55.04g and that of the males was 50.80 cm. Catfish feed (9mm pellet) with 38 per cent crude protein was fed once daily. Each and every treatment received a pellet in the evening. Growth rate was not significant (p>0.05) but systematically progressive. Food conversion ratio was higher in small crabs than in the big ones. Conversion-efficiency values for the small female and male crabs in the present investigation were 19.95 and 32.16 respectively. The conversion-efficiency values for the big female and male were 33.47 and 73.34 respectively. Significant increase in crude protein or use of feed with higher crude protein than the estimated percentage might substantially reduce the efficiency value.