Effects of Soybean Oil Supplementation on the Growth and Survival Performance of Red Claw Crayfish Cherax Quadricarinatus in Culture Condition

Abstract

The current study investigated the effects of soybean oil on the growth and survival of red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) under culture conditions. An experiment consisting of four dietary soybean oil concentrations (0%, 4%, 8%, and 12%) in commercial trout larvae feed was carried out on a 90-day duration with three replications. Juvenile crayfish (mean SD: 25.0 0.6 mm length and 0.51 0.15 g mass) were placed in each of the twelve 0.14-m2 aquariums with 50 crayfish/m2 density. Each aquarium contained ten crayfish. At the end of the experiment, the highest mass gain, Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and molting frequency were observed on the crayfish fed with 12% soybean oil diet concentration. Although, 12% soybean oil diet gave the highest mass gain (1.45 g), it resulted in the lowest survival rate (48%) (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in Feed Conversion Rate (FCR) among soybean oil levels. Moreover, molting frequencies in the diet groups were found as 49.6, 48.0, 46.6, and 73.3% for the dietary soybean oil levels (0%, 4%, 8%, and 12%), respectively. Thus, based on the results, the dietary concentration levels of soybean oil is recommended to be in 8-12% in formulated diets for the optimum growth of crayfish.