CHAPTER

4.4
Nursery and grow-out
of mud crab
EMILIA T. QUINITIO, D.Sc.
MARCIAL EDUARD M. RODRIGUEZ
FE DOLORES P. ESTEPA, D.Sc.

Widespread interest in Scylla species is increasing because these demand high market prices
both domestically and internationally. Total production of mud crab from aquaculture in 2004
was 8,972 tons, the majority of which came from Indonesia and Philippines. Mud crabs are
exported to Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia.

Scylla species inhabit brackishwater and marine environments and prefer muddy and sandy
bottoms. They dig deep burrows in mangroves and soft substrates in shallow or intertidal
waters (hence they are called mangrove crabs and mud crabs). There are four species of mud
crabs: S. serrata (giant or king mud crab), S. tranquebarica (purple mud crab), S. olivacea (orange
mud crab), and S. paramamosain (green mud crab) (Fig. 4.4.1). Mud crab juveniles (crablets)
are obtained from the wild and recently from the hatchery (particularly in the Philippines and
Vietnam) for farming for 4-5 months or lean crabs are fattened for 30-45 days. Recently, the
nursery system has been developed to grow crablets from megalopa or crab instar (≤ 1.0 cm).

Site selection
A typical brackishwater earthen pond designed for the culture of shrimps or fish can be used
for the farming of mud crab. The following are the characteristics of a suitable site:

1) Clay, clay-loam or sandy-clay soil to retain water

2) Adequate source of brackishwater
3) Free from possible source of pollution
4) Protected from typhoon, flood and siltation
5) Accessible but free from poachers
6) Flat land 1 meter above the sea level of the highest tide to allow drainage and harvest

Figure 4.4.1
Four species of mud
crab (Clockwise from
top left): Scylla serrata,
S. tranquebarica,
S. olivacea, and S.
paramamosain
 88 SECTION 4 • AQUACULTURE TECHNOLOGIES

Pond preparation

Pond preparation ensures that the culture organisms are provided with a clean pond base
and suitable stable water quality. Before the ponds are used, a number of activities are
undertaken:

Figure 4.4.2
Net cages set in ponds
Figure 4.4.3
Shelters used for crablets
1) Drain the pond completely and sun dry for at least a week
2) Make all dikes watertight and seal gates with soil
3) Install screens to prevent entry of undesirable animals
4) Level pond bottom to maximize area and allow better water management and
harvest
5) Apply a small amount of lime mixed with topsoil and plow pond. Plowing brings the
nutrients at the bottom soil to the surface soil layers. It also eradicates burrowing
predators
6) Dry for a minimum of 2 weeks. Drying eliminates waste products and obnoxious gases
from organic matter decomposition
7) Flood pond up to 30 cm and hold water for 1-2 days. Flush the water to remove toxic
substances from organic matter decomposition.
8) Drain pond completely and repeat drying process
9) Apply any of the following to eradicate predators and other unwanted species:
ƒƒ 10-40 kg derris roots/ha for rotenone extraction
ƒƒ 150-200 kg teaseed/ha cake soaked in brackishwater overnight
ƒƒ 1.5-2.0 kg tobacco dust/10 m3 of pond water
ƒƒ A combination of organic pesticide or inorganic chemical and lime, such as 5.0-
6.5 kg teaseed cake/m3 and 1.5 calcium oxide/100 m3 or 10 g ammonium sulfate
(21-0-0) and 50-60 g quicklime/m2 pond water (5 cm deep)
10) Apply 1-2 tons calcium carbonate/ha or 200-300 kg calcium oxide/ha on pond
bottom and dikes. Allow at least 3 days prior to application of fertilizer
11) Apply fertilizer at 1-2 tons manure/ha + 25 kg urea (46-0-0)/ha and 50 kg ammonium
phosphate (16-20-0)/ha. For more rapid effect, mix fertilizer with water in plastic
containers prior to application
12) Admit water into the pond

Nursery
Nursery is an intermediate phase between the hatchery and grow-out to rear either megalopae
or crab instar to the desired size for farming. Crabs measuring 0.6-1.0 cm are cultured to 1.5-
2.0 cm in net cages installed in a pond (Phase 1). Some farmers prefer bigger crabs than 2.0 cm
for stocking so crabs are further cultured from 1.5-2.0 cm to 3.0-4.0 cm in ponds installed with
net fence (Phase 2) prior to stocking in grow-out ponds. However, harvesting and gathering
are more difficult in Phase 2. The culture period is 3-4 weeks in each phase depending on the
desired size at harvest. Survival rate in each phase ranges from 40-80%. Stocking density may
be increased if the culture period is less than 4 weeks.

Net cages

Net cages of 1 mm mesh size and 20 m2 bottom surface area are set in ponds (Fig. 4.4.2).
Bamboo poles support the cages and the bottom of the net is buried 3-5 cm into the soil.

1) Install net cages before water is admitted in the pond

2) Stock at 20-40 ind/m2 for 0.6-1.0 cm crablets
3) Add nets and straw (used for tying) as shelters for crablets (Fig. 4.4.3)
4) Feed crablets with minced low value fish, mussel, snail meat or boiled chicken entrails
at satiation or 100% of total body weight per day. Feed twice daily.
5) Put feeds in feeding trays (with fine mesh net) inside the net cage to monitor food
consumption. Adjust feeding based on consumption of crabs
6) Maintain water depth (at least 80 cm) and optimum water quality parameters (Table
4.4.1)
7) Change about 30% of water during spring tide
8) To harvest, drain 70 % of the pond water, lift the net cage at the riblines from one side,
and concentrate the crablets on the other end of the net cage
9) Scoop out or handpick crablets
10) Sort according to size and count
 CHAPTER 4.4 • Nursery and grow-out of mud crab 89

Table 4.4.1. Water quality parameters in mud crab net cages

Parameter Value
Temperature 26-310C
Salinity 16-30 ppt
Dissolved oxygen ≥5 ppm
Transparency 30 cm
pH 7.5-8.5
organic matter 1-10%

Nursery pond with sides lined with net

Bigger crabs (>1.5 cm) are better cultured in ponds with sides lined with net (Fig. 4.4.4). The
bottom of the net is buried 5-10 cm into the soil. Because the size is bigger, the stocking
density is reduced to 5-10 ind/m2. The culture period may be 3-4 weeks depending on the
desired size at harvest. Figure 4.4.4
Nursery pond with sides lined with net
1) Line the sides of the pond with nets or install net around the pond perimeter at an
angle of 45º to prevent crabs from escaping
2) Stock the crablets at 3-5 ind/m2
3) Feed crablets with minced fish, mussel, snail meat or chicken entrails at satiation or 50-
80% of total body weight twice daily
4) Put feeds in feeding trays around the pond to monitor food consumption. Adjust
feeding based on consumption of crabs
5) Maintain water depth of 80-100 m and water quality parameters similar to those in net
cages
6) Change about 30% of water during spring tide
7) Inspect nets for wear and tear
8) Drain the water completely and collect the crabs using scoop net or by handpicking to
harvest
9) Sort according to size and count

Figure 4.4.5
Packing and transport of crablets Transport of crablets in oxygenated plastic
bags
After harvest, crablets are individually counted in basins with small amount of water to avoid
desiccation. Soft-shelled or newly molted crablets should not be included in the transport.
Mortality during transport is usually due to cannibalism and molting. Molting is more frequent in
smaller crabs. Crablets smaller than 1.5 cm carapace width (CW ) are transported in oxygenated A
plastic bags with cool water (Fig. 4.4.5). Crablets of more than 1.5 cm CW are transported in
boxes with wet cloth or sand (Fig. 4.4.6). Crabs are better transported early in the morning, late
afternoon or during cool weather.

Transport with water

1) Before packing, acclimate crablets to 23-24ºC. Low temperature prevents molting and
lowers oxygen consumption during transport
2) Use double plastic bags measuring about 52.5 cm x 77 cm. Pour 2 liters seawater B
with crablets gently into the plastic bags using the loading densities in Table 4.4.2 for
transport duration of <8 h
3) Put net or straw shelters inside the bags
4) Saturate the inner bag with oxygen and tie the two bags separately with rubber bands
5) Put the plastic bags in styrofoam (especially if by plane) or box
6) Maintain the temperature by placing wrapped ice on top of the plastic bags

Table 4.4.2. Crab size and loading densities for transport

Density Figure 4.4.6
Type of transport Crab size (cm CW) Transport of crablets in box with wet cloth (A)
(crabs/plastic bag)
0.4-0.6 1,000 or sand (B)
With water 0.7-1.0 500-750
1.0-1.4 250-500
0.8-1.0 1,000
Without water 1.1-1.6 300-500
3.0-3.5 100-200
90 SECTION 4 • AQUACULTURE TECHNOLOGIES

Transport without water

1) Line carton box (45L x 34W x 10D cm) with plastic sheet and put wet sand (about 0.5-
1.0 cm thickness depending on the size of the crablets) or damp cotton cloth
2) Load crablets into the box using the loading densities in Table 4.4.2 for up to 8-h
transport duration
3) Seal the box with packing tape and put small holes on top of the box for ventilation

Grow-out
The mortality of mud crab during the nursery and grow-out phase has been largely due to
cannibalism. Hence, it is more profitable to do polyculture than monoculture of mud crabs in
grow-out ponds. The stocking density of crabs for grow-out normally does not exceed 1,000
ind/ha to reduce cannibalism. To maximize the space in the pond, crabs are cultured with one
or more commodities like milkfish, tilapia, or siganid and shrimp. However, stocking crabs with
shrimps in the same pond is discouraged because infected crabs may transmit pathogens to the
shrimps or vice versa. Mud crabs occupy pond bottom while fish swim in the water column.
Mud crabs are carnivores while milkfish, siganid and tilapia are herbivores and omnivores,
respectively, hence they compliment each other in their food requirements. Two crops may be
done in a year.

Culture of crabs and milkfish

The most common combination for polyculture is crabs and milkfish.

Stocking

1) Admit water in the pond 5-10 cm deep from the incoming tide or through the use of
motor pump after pond preparation. Apply fertilizer (see pond preparation).
2) Increase water gradually (5-10 cm water level daily) until water level of 40-60 cm is
attained. When ‘lablab’ growth is abundant, fill pond with additional water gradually
until at least 80 cm deep. ‘Lablab’ is a complex group of minute plants and animals
that form a brownish, greenish or yellowish mat on the pond and sometimes float as
patches
3) Stock milkfish postfingerlings at 1,500-3,000 ind/ha after acclimation
4) Stock uniform size crablets (2.0-3.0 cm CW) sourced either from the hatchery or wild
at 800-1000 ind/ha

Feeding

Providing cost-effective feeds at an optimum amount prevents feed wastage and

water deterioration in the pond. Feeding must be regularly monitored and continuously
adjusted to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding.

1) Feed crablets daily with minced low value fish, mollusks (e.g. snails, small bivalves)
and boiled chicken entrails. A combination of diets is better than a single diet. Milkfish
feed on ‘lablab’ which grows in the pond with proper fertilization
2) Place chicken manure inside perforated bags set at equal distances within the pond
to maintain growth of ‘lablab’ and other filamentous plants
3) Give milkfish commercially available formulated diet when ‘lablab’ is overgrazed.
Follow the feeding rate in Chapter 4.3 for milkfish
4) Follow the feeding rate for crab in Table 4.4.3
5) Put feeds in feeding trays (6 units/ha) around the pond to monitor food consumption.
Broadcast the rest of the feeds
 CHAPTER 4.4 • Nursery and grow-out of mud crab 91

Table 4.4.3. Feeding rate* for crab

% of biomass Month of culture
10 1st
6-8 2nd
4-5 3rd
3 4th or until harvest
*Feeding rate = average body weight x total number of animals x % survival. A certain value for survival is assumed
based on data from previous operations in the same pond or other ponds with similar conditions

The following factors affect food consumption of mud crab:

1) Deterioration of the water quality

2) Poor pond bottom condition
3) Molt stage
4) Temperature
5) Disease
6) Food type

Water management

Pond water deteriorates as culture progresses due to accumulated faeces, uneaten feeds
and other wastes, hence it is important to maintain good water quality favorable to animals.

1) Maintain water depth of at least 80 cm and monitor water parameters regularly. Water
quality parameters to be maintained are similar to those in Table 4.4.1
2) Change about 30% of water every spring tide. Amount may be increased as the
culture period progresses
3) Apply fertilizer (16-20-0 at 25 kg/ha and 46-0-0 at 12.5 kg/ha) after water change to
maintain growth of natural food

Monitoring and sampling

The condition of the animals and pond water should be noted daily so that remedial
measures can be undertaken immediately if there are problems.

1) Sample animals at the 30th day and 15 days thereafter

2) Use lift nets to sample crabs and seine net to sample milkfish
3) Weigh the animals to monitor the growth and to adjust feeding rate

RECORD KEEPING. The data on application of inputs such as lime, fertilizers, pesticides and
feeds, water condition and other relevant observations should be recorded. These information are
needed to evaluate the efficiency of farm management during the past and present culture runs.

HARVEST. Culture period ranges from 4-6 months depending on the size of crabs at initial
stocking. The smaller the size of the animal at stocking, the longer the period to attain marketable
size. Marketable size for mature crabs is ≥500 g BW or 2 pcs/kg for S. serrata, or 3-4 pcs/kg for
S. olivacea and S. tranquebarica. There is also a preference for fat immature crabs with yellow ovary
(200-280 g for S. olivacea and S. tranquebarica, and 300-400 g for S. serrata) by health-conscious
consumers. Some crabs grow faster and hence can be harvested ahead. The removal of bigger
crabs prior to final harvest reduces the competition for food and space. Selective harvesting also
lessens the incidence of cannibalism.

Selective harvest
1) Install several lift nets with baits early in the morning prior to feeding. Retrieve nets after
10-20 minutes
2) Collect crabs using scoop net when water enters the pond during water management.
Crabs go against the current and congregate near the gate as water enters the pond
3) Select only fat marketable size crabs. Tie to avoid escape of crabs
 92 SECTION 4 • AQUACULTURE TECHNOLOGIES

Total harvest
1) Harvest crabs and milkfish by current method. Crabs and milkfish go against the current
2) Drain the water completely at low tide. Induce the fish to concentrate in the supply
canal or catching area
3) Collect fish using seine net and scoop net. Rinse and soak the fish in tanks with ice or
iced water
4) Collect crabs in the pond by handpicking. Put crabs in clean pond water to remove
mud
5) Tie crabs and hold in cool and moist place
6) Sort according to size and sex (for crabs)

Figure 4.4.7 Culture of crabs with more than one commodity

Crabs tied with galvanized iron wire
The culture of mud crabs in combination with 2-3 commodities in the grow-out pond is the
usual practice of farmers in many parts of the country. Crabs are stocked at 500-1,000 ind/ha
+ milkfish (Chanos chanos) at 1,000-3,000 ind/ha + black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) at 20,000-
50,000 ind/ha + tilapia at 500-1500 ind/ha (optional). Stocking density of each commodity
varies with the size and the number of animals available and the abundance of natural food in
the pond. Shrimp postlarvae are stocked first, followed by crabs after 15-20 days and then fish
after 30 days. Food items consist mostly of natural food for fish, and mollusks and low-value fish
for crabs. Yields are 2-3 pcs/kg at ≥50% survival rate (SR) for crabs, 3-4 pcs/kg at 80% SR for
milkfish and 16-20 pc/kg at 15-30% SR for black tiger prawn. There are two croppings in one
year.

Figure 4.4.8
Bamboo poles where crabs are tied
Fattening
Marketable size but lean crabs are either rejected or command a low price in either local or
export market. Lean crabs are further cultured and fattened from 15 to 45 days. The culture of
mud crab for fattening is highly profitable due to minimum risk at low stocking densities, short
culture period, and low investment. Stocking density may be up to 1 ind/m2 since the culture
period is short. Crabs are fed with low value fish, snails, chicken entrails and boiled corn
kernel at satiation 1-2 times daily using the various set-ups as follows:

Figure 4.4.9
Bamboo cages for fattening of mud crabs
Earthen pond
Mud crabs (≥400 g BW for S. serrata and ≥250 g BW for S. olivacea and S. tranquebarica) are
stocked in earthen ponds at 1 ind/m2. Fat crabs are selectively harvested and replaced with lean
crabs. Net fence may be installed around the pond dikes to prevent crabs from escaping.

Tying of adult crabs was introduced in Samar in Eastern Visayas to prevent cannibalism and
escape of crabs from ponds (Fig. 4.4.7). The crabs are individually tied with galvanized wire to
poles about 2 meters apart to allow them to move around without getting entangled with the
other crabs (Fig. 4.4.8). Monitoring is done regularly to retrieve fattened and premolt crabs.
Fattened crabs are sold while those about to molt are untied and trnasferred to tank until the
shell hardens after molting. The crabs are tied and stocked back to the pond.

Pens and cages set in ponds, protected coastal waters or

Figure 4.4.10
Plastic cages for crab fattening
shallow lagoons
Floating cages made of bamboo (Fig. 4.4.9) or plastic (Fig. 4.4.10) are set in ponds, protected
coastal waters or shallow lagoons. Crabs are stocked in 2.0 L x 2.0 W x 1 D m at 30-50 pcs/
cage depending on the size and species of crabs, or in 24 individual compartments in 2.0 x 1.0
x 0.5 m cages.
 CHAPTER 4.4 • Nursery and grow-out of mud crab 93

Figure 4.4.11 Figure 4.4.12

Mud crab pen made of polyethylene netting Mud crab pen made of polyethylene netting
in mangrove in mangrove

Figure 4.4.13 Figure 4.4.14

Soft shell crab farming in Myanmar Wild sourced Scylla olivacea for stocking in
plastic containers

Pens made of bamboo or polyethylene netting (Fig 4.4.11) are set in protected coastal or
shallow lagoons. The height of the pen is higher than the highest tide. Pens measuring 500-
1000 m2 are stocked with crabs at 0.5-1 ind/m2.

Pens in mangroves
Mud crab culture can be integrated with the existing mangroves (Figure 4.4.12). The shape of
the pen is rectangular, square or irregular and the size ranges from 1,000-2,000 m2. The pen
area is enclosed by bamboo slats or polyethylene net set on stakes of bamboo or wood buried
50 cm in the substrate. The effective height is 2.0-2.5 m. About 20% of the total pen area is
allotted for canals (0.5 m deep) to hold water during low tide. The canals are situated in the
center of the pen area, away from the net or bamboo partitions to prevent the crabs from
escaping to the outside through deep burrows.

Soft-shell crab farming

Small-sized crabs (60-130 g) in the intermolt or premolt stage are used because they molt
frequently than larger crabs. They are held individually in plastic containers and allowed to
molt (Fig. 4.4.13). Fish is the main food item given daily. Checking for molted crabs is done
almost every 3-4 hours. Crabs are harvested immediately after molting, held in freshwater with
aeration for about one hour, and then frozen for export. Newly molted crabs are soft, hence,
the shell (exoskeleton) can be eaten when cooked. A large number of crabs is required for
stocking to get a considerable quantity of soft-shell crabs daily. S. olivacea is used for this type
of culture in Thailand and Myanmar (Fig. 4.4.14).
 94 SECTION 4 • AQUACULTURE TECHNOLOGIES

Market

Fig. 4.4.15 shows the marketing channel for mud crabs. Crablets from either the hatchery or
wild may go through the traders or purchased directly by pond growers. Mud crabs from the
pond or collected from the wild are sold by growers/collectors to buying stations or traders, or
directly to the local consumers or exporters. From the buying stations or traders, the bulk of
the crab stocks are sold to exporters.

Mud crabs are expensive delicacies in local and export markets in Asia and Australia. Price
depends on the season, size, sex and gonad maturity. The highest priced are the mature females
with deep orange-colored ovaries and fat immature/maturing females with yellow to orange
Figure 4.4.16
Bottled mud crab roe ovaries. Lowest priced are the crabs that lack claws, spawned females (‘berried’) and lean crabs.

Figure 4.4.15
Marketing channels for mud crabs

References
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