Impact of Sump Tank Size on Growth, Survival, and Production of Marron, Cherax tenuimanus, in an Intensive System

Abstract

Juvenile marron, Cherax tenuimanus were cultured in an intensive crayfish culture system for a period of six months to study the effects of sump tank size on crayfish growth, survival, and production. Water volume in the large sump system was 2750 L and in the small sump tank system was 500 L. Crayfish were held in individual compartments (surface area 320 cm², depth 10 cm) and fed with commercial pellets (30% protein; 3-5% body weight per week). Specific growth rate (SGR) was 0.75%/day in the large sump system and 0.68%/day in the small sump system; survival was 83% in the large sump system and 71% in the small sump system; and biomass roduction (B) was 239 g/m² in the large sump system and 158 g/m² in the small sump system. These values were all higher (P < 0.05) in the large sump system. The results suggest that crayfish production could be improved by using large sump tanks in recirculating intensive crayfish culture systems.