The long-clawed crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus) stands out as one of the most promising aquaculture species for Russia, and in particular for the Azov-Black Sea region. This decapod is the most common crayfish species in the country's waters.
Specialists from the Aquaculture Center of the Azov-Black Sea Branch of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO) are conducting research to develop a technology for cultivating long-clawed crayfish in the Azov-Black Sea basin as part of an applied topic under a state contract. This year, the Center's specialists successfully spawned broodstock, produced viable juveniles, and reared the juveniles, as well as managed the rearing of spawned broodstock.
The experimental work involved rearing juveniles using various methods: some experimental groups were kept in aquariums and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) under controlled conditions, using various diets and feeding regimens (including specialized feeds developed by VNIRO). Other juveniles were placed in nursery ponds to grow up on natural food sources, and a third group was placed in special submersible cages for rearing in ponds with the option of providing supplemental feeding.
Throughout the study, specialists carefully recorded key hydrological and hydrochemical parameters of the water and monitored the survival and growth rates of the specimens under various conditions, including different stocking densities, diets, and feeding regimens. The primary goal of this research is to determine the optimal conditions for rearing narrow-clawed crayfish.
Preliminary results demonstrate the potential of a combined method for rearing juvenile long-clawed crayfish. This method involves spawning broodstock and raising early juveniles in controlled conditions in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), aquariums, or pools, followed by transferring the juveniles to nursery ponds for the growing season.
However, due to seasonal temperature declines, the feeding activity of pond-reared crayfish has significantly decreased, and growth rates have slowed, as the crayfish transition to natural overwintering. The group maintained in the aquarium complex will continue to be reared at optimal water temperatures and feeding regimens.
The obtained experimental data will serve as the basis for developing recommendations for the optimal, most efficient, and cost-effective technological regime for rearing long-clawed crayfish in the Azov-Black Sea fishery basin.
VNIRO Press Service