Skip to main content
Log in

Growth performance of Noble Crayfish Astacus astacus in recirculating aquaculture systems

  • Published:
Aquaculture International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

There is growing interest in using recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) to raise noble crayfish Astacus astacus a valuable and once plentiful food species in Europe, now a highly endangered species. The growth and survival of A. astacus was compared in growth trials in RAS and open-pond systems (OPS) over a period of 2 months. Energy and lipid content of available diets and crayfish tissue were also determined. Growth of A. astacus during summer was significantly (p < 0.01, one sample t test) higher in OPS (SGR 1.23) than in RAS even at the highest feeding ration provided at 5 % bw/d−1 (RAS HI SGR 0.78 ± 0.06). OPS crayfish also had significantly (p < 0.01 OPS vs. all RAS treatments; Pairwise Wilcoxon) higher lipid content (8.51 %) than RAS crayfish (RAS HI 5.73 %, RAS MED 6.93 %, RAS LOW 5.92 %). Survival rates in RAS were, however, 100 % compared with previous observations in OPS of approx. 70 %. While results showed OPS growth exceeds than that in RAS in the short term, RAS survival rates and annualized growth performance may outweigh this disadvantage, particularly if optimal artificial diets for RAS holding are provided. Feed and crayfish analysis indicated that culturing A. astacus in RAS require a diet protein content exceeding 30 % and lipid content of <13 %, indicating that the carp diet supplied was not optimal. RAS culture allows this valuable species to be cultured in controlled, disease-free enclosed systems—resulting in high-value food products as well as high-quality seedlings for restocking purpose.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

AFK :

Surface of filter body [m2/m3] 600 m2/m3 (Spieck et al. 2007)

AN:

Amount of affiliated nitrogen (80 %; van Wyk 1999)

ENH3 :

Ammonia nitrogen amount of excretion (75 %, van Wyk 1999)

FImax :

Max. feed intake per day [g]

NC:

Amount of nitrogen in the protein (16 %; van Wyk 1999)

NR:

Nitrification rate of filter body [gN/m2 d]

OPS:

Open-pond systems

PC:

Amount of protein in the feed (25 %, CYPRININ K2)

RAS:

Recirculating aquaculture systems

RAS HI:

Treatment of 5 %

RAS LOW:

Treatment of 3 %

RAS MED:

Treatment of 4 %

TAN:

Total amount of imported nitrogen [gN/d]

VBF :

Volume of biofilter [m3]

References

  • Ackefors HEG (2000) Freshwater crayfish farming technology in the 1990s: a European and global perspective. Fish Fish 1:337–359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ackefors H, Castell JD, Boston LD, Räty P, Svensson M (1992) Standard experimental diets for crustacean nutrition research. II. Growth and survival of juvenile crayfish Astacus astacus (Linné) fed diets containing various amounts of protein, carbohydrate and lipid. Aquaculture 104:341–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arzbach H-H (2010) Biologie. Ökologie und Verhalten der Flusskrebse, Krebsseminar Echem, Echem

    Google Scholar 

  • Auvergne A (1979) Culture of crayfish. In: L’élevage des écrevisses. Maisons-Alfort, La Zoothèque du Point Vétérinaire, p 87

  • Avery JL, Romaire RP, McClain, WR (1998) Crawfish production production economics, pond construction and water supply. South Reg Aquac Cent 240:1–4

  • Barki A, Karplus I, Manor R, Parnes S, Aflalo ED, Sagi A (2006) Growth of redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) in a three-dimensional compartments system: does a neighbor matter? Aquaculture 252:348–355

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bligh EG, Dyer WJ (1959) A rapid method of total lipid extraction and purification. Can J Biochem Physiol 37:911–917

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carmona-Osalde C, Olvera-Novoa MA, Rodriguez-Serna M (2005) Effect of the protein-lipids ratio on growth and maturation of the crayfish Procambarus (Austrocambarus) llamasi. Aquaculture 250:692–699

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cequier-Sanchez E, Rodriguez C, Ravelo AG, Zarate R (2008) Dichloromethane as a solvent for lipid extraction and assessment of lipid classes and fatty acids from samples of different natures. J Agric Food Chem 56:4297–4303

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Christie WW (ed) (1993) Preparation of lipid extracts from tissues. In: Advances in lipid methodology. Oily Press, Dundee, pp 195–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Cukerzis JM (1988) Astacus astacus in Europe. In: Holdich DM, Lowery RS (eds) Freshwater crayfish: biology, management and exploitation. Croom Helm, London, pp 309–340

  • Daws AG, Grills J, Konzen K, Moore PA (2002) Previous experiences alter the outcome of aggressive interactions between males in the crayfish, Procambarus Clarkii. Mar Freshw Behav Physiol 35:139–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dethlefs A (2007) Predator–Pray–Interaction between Dragonfly Larva (Odonata: Anisoptera) and Crayfish Juveniles (Astacus astacus). In: Zoological Institute–Department Limnology. Christian–Albrechts, University Kiel, Kiel, Germany, p 124

  • Edgerton BF, Evans LH, Stephens FJ, Overstreet RM (2002) Synopsis of freshwater crayfish diseases and commensal organisms. Aquaculture 206:57–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edsman L, Füreder L, Gherardi F, Souty-Grosset C (2010) Astacus astacus—Status report. In: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

  • EIFAC (1998) Report of the Symposium on Water for Sustainable Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture held in connection with the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission. In: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. FAO, Rome, p 56

  • Franke R, Wessels S, Horstgen-Schwark G (2011) Enhancement of survival and growth in crowded groups: the road towards an intensive production of the noble crayfish Astacus astacus L. in indoor recirculation systems. Aquac Res 44:451–461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Füreder L (2009) Flusskrebse Biologie—Ökologie—Gefährdung. Naturmuseum Südtirol, Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Gherardi F (2011) Towards a sustainable human use of freshwater crayfish (Crustacea, Decapoda, Astacidea). Knowl Manag Aquat Ecosyst 401:1–2. doi:10.1051/kmae/2011038

  • Ghiasvand Z, Matinfar A, Valipour A, Soltani M, Kamali A (2012) Evaluation of different dietary protein and energy levels on growth performance and body composition of narrow clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus). Iran J Fish Sci 11:63–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Hager J (2003) Edelkrebse–Biologie, Zucht, Bewirtschaftung. Leopold Stocker Verlag, Graz

    Google Scholar 

  • Holdich DM (2002) Distribution of crayfish in Europe and some adjoining countries. Bull Fr Pêche Piscic 367:611–650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holdich DM, Reynolds JD, Souty-Grosset C, Sibley PJ (2009) A review of the ever increasing threat to European crayfish from non-indigenous crayfish species. Knowl Manag Aquat Ecosyst 394–395:11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huner JV (1994) Freshwater Crayfish Aquaculture in North America, Europe, and Australia: Families Astacidae, Cambaridae, and Parastacidae. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle R (1997) Crayfishes, lobsters and crabs of Europe: an illustrated guide to common and traded species. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Jeske H (2010) Edelkebs Astacus astacus–Zucht. Vermehrung und Bewirtschaftung von Edelkrebsen, Krebsseminar, Echem

    Google Scholar 

  • Jover M, Fernandez-Carmona J, Del Rio M, Soler M (1999) Effect of feeding cooked-extruded diets, containing different levels of protein, lipid and carbohydrate on growth of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Aquaculture 178:127–137

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Knudsen H, Tveite S (1999) Survival and growth of juvenile lobster Homarus gammarus L. raised for stock enhancement within in situ cages. Aquac Res 30:421–425

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kozák P, Buřič M, Policar T, Hamáčková J, Lepičová A (2007) The effect of inter- and intra-specific competition on survival and growth rate of native juvenile noble crayfish Astacus astacus and alien spiny-cheek crayfish Orconectes limosus. Hydrobiologia 590:85–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lawson T (1995) Recirculating aquaculture systems. Fundamentals of aquacultural engineering. Springer, US, pp 192–247

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Naghdi FG, Garg S, Adarme-Vega TC, Thurecht KJ, Ghafor WA, Tannock S, Schenk PM (2014) A comparative study: the impact of different lipid extraction methods on current microalgal lipid research. Microb Cell Fact 13:14

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Manor R, Segev R, Leibovitz MP, Aflalo ED, Sagi A (2002) Intensification of redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus culture: II. Growout in a separate cell system. Aquacult Eng 26:263–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masser MP, Rouse DB (1997) Australian red claw crayfish. South Reg Aquac Cent 244:1–8

  • McClain WR (2012) Crawfish production: pond construction and water requirements. South Reg Aquac Cent 240:6

    Google Scholar 

  • O´Sullivan DD, Jones C, Fielder D (2012) Freshwater crustaceans. In: Lucas JSS, Paul C (eds) Aquaculture: farming aquatic animals and plants. Wiley, NY, p 948

    Google Scholar 

  • Perez Benavente G, Uglem I, Browne R, Marino Balsa C (2010) Culture of juvenile European lobster (Homarus gammarus L.) in submerged cages. Aquacult Int 18:1177–1189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sander M (1998) Aquarientechnik im Süß- und Seewasser. Ulmer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Skurdal J, Taugbøl T (2001) Crayfish of commercial importance. In: Holdich DM (ed) Biology of freshwater Crayfish. Blackwell Science, Oxford, pp 467–510

    Google Scholar 

  • Spieck E, Josza P-G, Alawi M, Brill F, Quantz G, Beth S, Wolbeck R, Watermann B (2007) Entwicklung neuartiger Trägermaterialien für die Wasseraufbereitung und Kreislaufführung in Marikultur-Produktionsanlagen der Fischzucht. DBU, Osnabrück

    Google Scholar 

  • Taugbøl T, Skurdal J (1988) Increased proportion of mature females of the noble crayfish (Astacus astacus L.) in culture conditions. Aquaculture 69:39–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Usio N, Konishi M, Nakano S (2001) Species displacement between an introduced and a ‘vulnerable’ Crayfish: the role of aggressive interactions and shelter competition. Biol Invasions 3:179–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valipour A, Ozorio ROA, Shariatmadari F, Abedian A, Seyfabadi J, Zahmatkesh A (2012) Effects of dietary lipid levels on growth, survival, and molting of yearling narrow clawed crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus. J Appl Aquac 24:316–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Wyk P (1999) Principles of Recirculating System Design. In: Van Wyk P, Davis-Hodgkins M, Laramore R, Main KL, Mountain J, Scarpa J (eds) Farming marine shrimp in recirculating freshwater systems. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida, p 90

    Google Scholar 

  • Westman K (2002) Alien Crayfish in Europe: negative and positive impacts and interactions with native Crayfish. In: Leppäkoski E, Gollasch S, Olenin S (eds) Invasive aquatic species of Europe distribution, impacts and management. Springer, Netherlands, pp 76–95

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Westman K, Savolainen R (2001) Long term study of competition between two co-occurring Crayfish species, the native Astacus astacus L. and the introduced Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana, in a Finnish lake. Bull Fr Pêche Piscic 361:613–627

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wickins JFL and Lee DO’C (2002) Crustacean farming: ranching and culture. Wiley-Blackwell, NY

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wittmaak KE (2006) Ernährungsökologische Untersuchungen an Krebsen. Christian Albrechts Universität zu Kiel, Kiel

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu WN, Liu WB, Shen MF, Li GF, Wang Y, Zhang WW (2013) Effect of different dietary protein and lipid levels on growth performance, body composition of juvenile red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Aquacult Int 21:687–697

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the reviewers for their time and thorough reviews which we believe have significantly improved the manuscript. The study was supported by Grants from the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt Germany (AZ 28879).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Uli B. Seemann.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Seemann, U.B., Lorkowski, K., Slater, M.J. et al. Growth performance of Noble Crayfish Astacus astacus in recirculating aquaculture systems. Aquacult Int 23, 997–1012 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-014-9859-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-014-9859-2

Keywords

Navigation