Abstract

The effect of density on growth and survival of marron was determined over a 183-day period in order to provide data for tank-based marron culture in Australia's lower west. Marron were stocked as 10-month-old juveniles at densities of 1, 3, 5 and 7 m^-2 in a recirculating system comprising a 1 ML sump and twelve 27 m² concrete tanks. Tanks were divided in half using partitions that allowed water exchange between sides. Results showed lower mean growth rates as density increased. Survival was not significantly affected by changes in stocking density. Surviving densities ranged from 0.69 to 4.97 m^-2 and showed a higher degree of correlation with net yield and mean final weight than did initial density. Net yield displayed a positive linear relationship with surviving density (r2 = 0.90). Mean final weight showed strong linear correlation with the reciprocal of surviving density (r2 = 0.93), suggesting that area of bottom per crayfish is a major determinant of marron size in tank culture, as has been shown for pond culture. The possible role of water-borne chemical factors in the growth-density effect in marron is also discussed.

Supplemental Documents

• There are no supplementary documents for this article

Cited By

Citations: