Abstract

The growth rate, frequency of moulting, and intermoult intervals of juvenile Astacus astacus were investigated under experimental conditions. Juveniles were reared individually for a period of 3 months in small boxes at two different temperatures: 14.31 ± 0.62°C (cold water) and 20.49 ± 0.73°C (warm water). All intermoult periods of juveniles were significantly longer in cold than warm water. In total, three moults were observed in cold and five in warm water. Furthermore, a higher water temperature can affect moult increment. The specific growth rate (SGR) tended to decrease with every other stage, from 5.1 and 10.5% day-1 for cold and warm water, respectively, to reach values of 1.5 and 1.7% day-1, respectively, after 3 months. SGR values showed negative correlations with number of moults, age and weight. The impact of different temperatures on growth parameters of crayfish is discussed.

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