Abstract

In the last decades, redclaw (Cherax quadricarinatus) farming has become very popular in many countries in relation to its optimal biological characteristics which include rapid growth rates, non-aggressiveness, high prolificacy and reduced diseases. The aim of this study was to improve our knowledge on nutritional and rearing requirements under a controlled environment system. The redclaw (initial mean weight: 9.7±0.7 g, n=300) were reared for 100 days in a recirculating system using a 2x2 factorial design: 2 stocking densities (25 vs 50 crayfish m-2) and 2 dietary protein levels (diet A: 24.0% DM vs diet B: 29.4% DM). Final mean body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were neither influenced by the stocking rate nor by the diets. However, specific growth rate (SGR) and FCR adjusted for the covariable mortality rate decreased significantly (P<0.05) with the highest stocking density. Death rate increased significantly (P<0.05) with the stocking density but not using different diets. Protein digestibility coefficient was significantly higher (P<0.001) in diet B (A: 78.47 vs B: 86.64%) and leaching of DM was lower in diet B after 2 h (A: 13.22 vs B: 10.07%)(P<0.05) and 8 h (A: 18.63 vs B: 16.61%) (P<0.05). Gross protein retention (GPR) and final body composition were not influenced by the two experimental factors. At the end of the trial

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