1. ICOMSA, 2014
STUDY ON CONCOMITANT CULTURE OF MUD CRAB Scylla sp IN FIBRE GLASS TANK AND FLOATING PLASTIC CAGES: AN INTEGRATED-MULTI LAYERED AQUACULTURE APPROACH OF MUD CRAB AND SEA WEED (ULVA)
1Md. Latiful Islam, 1Md. Arif Chowdhury, 2Roshada Hashim and 1,2Khairun Yahya
1. Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS)
University Sains Malaysia, Penang
Malaysia
2. School of Biological Sciences, USM, Penang 1

2. Saving of productive land is world wide concern;
ICOMSA, 2014
Background:
Saving of productive land is world wide concern;
Integrated agro-aquaculture and/or intercropping to boost up per unit production;
Polyculture, technique for utilization of all niche to enhancement of yield;
Semi-intensive aquaculture for booming production through vertical expansion;
Integrated rice-fish-shrimp
Agro-intercropping
Theme of polyculture 2
Semi-intensive shrimp pond

3. Is semi-intensive culture technique applicable for mud crab grow out?
ICOMSA, 2014
Background (cont’d):
Is semi-intensive culture technique applicable for mud crab grow out?
Many researcher mentioned 0.5 to 1/m2 stocking density for mud crab;
Is it sufficient enough for livelihood of marginal crab farmers? Who possess only 1 to 10 decimal pond;
How can per unit production be boosted up for mud crab?
Marginal farmer with small pond

4. Use of multi layer for crab could be an option;
ICOMSA, 2014
Background (cont’d):
Use of multi layer for crab could be an option;
Integration of symbiotic species could be helpful for production increment’
With this view study was designed for concomitant culture of mud crab in plastic boxes and tank bottom along with integration of sea weed (Ulva)
Experimental tanks
Floating plastic box

5. Methodology: Experimental design Treatment Replication
ICOMSA, 2014
Methodology:
Experimental design
Treatment
Replication
Treatment details
Stocking density T1 3
Mud crab grown in tank bottom, integration with sea weed T2
Mud crab in tank bottom +
mud crab in floating boxes, integration with sea weed
2/m2
1/box
2/m2
* Area of each box: 30cm×25cm×15cm; *area covered: about 40% by 40 box

6. Methodology (Cont’d):
ICOMSA, 2014
Methodology (Cont’d):
Tank preparation:
1m2 sand bedX5 inch thick;
Setting of Aeration, inlet and outlet;
Culture duration for seaweed: 7 months
Culture duration, crab: 5 months (from C3)
* First month as community basis;
Feeding: trash 8-10% bw
Growth monitoring: monthly (Tw; Cl; Cw)
Sea weed growth monitoring: monthly (by floating box and squire frame);
Water quality monitoring: monthly

7. Result: Water quality variables:
ICOMSA, 2014
Result:
Water quality variables:
Variables T1 T2
Temperature (0C)
Salinity (ppt)
22-30
22.-29
DO (mg/l) pH
TSS (mg/l)
* Remarkable is the very low TSS due to absorption by sea weed

8. ICOMSA, 2014
Result (cont’d):
Monthly body weight increment under different treatment
1st month crabs were reared in community basis;
after assigning to treatments (31.30g), growth increment in boxes was found suddenly slow down;
in free areas, size variation was higher, while in boxes it was found less.

9. ICOMSA, 2014
Result (cont’d):
Details in survival and production under different treatment
Particulars
Treatment-1 (T1)
Treatment-2 (free)
Treatment-2 (box)
Body weight (g)
±21.06a
( )
251.90±29.93a
( )
204.27±5.91b
( )
Survival (%)
54.33±10.26b
( )
57.33±7.51b
( )
95.00±5.00a
( )
Production (kg/tank)
1.90±0.32b
( )
2.03±0.42b
( )
7.77±0.63a
( )
Appendages lost (%)
21.30±4.24
( )
20.50±5.56
( )
0.00
Sea weed (kg/tank)
28.33±5.13a
(24-34)
28.0±7.47a
( ) --

10. Due to incorporate of floating box in T2-
ICOMSA, 2014
Due to incorporate of floating box in T2-
added production of 300% to the treatment
production increment was 315% over T1

11. Adequate feeding is therefore pre-requisite;
ICOMSA, 2014
Limitations:
Adequate feeding is therefore pre-requisite;
At hot period, shed on the boxes may save from heat;
Conclusion:
This study showed way to boost up mud crab production through
concomitant culture in free pond/tank area and floating boxes.
Sea weed play a role to clean up water and proving hiding place during
molting.
Sea weed also provided additional crop;
More symbiotic species could be incorporated to enhance production;
which require further study.

12. Acknowledgement: Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) for
ICOMSA, 2014
Acknowledgement:
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) for
nomination and granting study leave.
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) for
financing under NATP-phase-1 Project.
Supported by Delivering Excellence Grant
1002/PPANTAI/910331
Center for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) for
available facilities with friendly environment.

13. ICOMSA, 2014
Sustainable production for tomorrow
THANKS TO ALL