INDUCED MATING AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCES OF ORANGE MUD CRAB, Scylla olivacea (HERBST, 1796) IN CAPTIVITY

Abstract

Mud crab aquaculture is gaining attention in tropical and sub-tropical regions for its high commercial value. Mating is the fundamental requirement for the natural seed production of mud crabs. This study aimed to develop a technique of induced mating, subsequently offspring production of female orange mud crab, Scylla olivacea in captivity to support sustainable mud crab farming through increasing the supply of hatchery-produced mud crab seeds. A total of 302 crabs were collected from Setiu Wetland, Terengganu; a coastal sanctuary located at the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Limb autotomy was performed on the hard-shelled females for the induced moulting. The induced mating technique involved mating a mature induced soft-shelled female (newly moulted) with a mature intermoult male. The mating pairs (male-female) were selected randomly.