Lifetime study of hemolymph of the red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) under artificial culture conditions

The red claw crayfish has only recently been farmed under industrialized conditions. It is important to monitor and evaluate the physiological state of cultured animals and to establish assessment criteria and reference values for hemolymph parameters as a circulating fluid. The results of a lifetime study of the hemolymph of the Australian red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) are presented. Reference values of indicators of cellular composition of the hemolymph were determined. A number of gender differences were revealed: the value of the total number of hemocytes is higher in males; the proportion of semi-granulocytes in the hemogram of males is higher than in females, granulocytes and juvenile forms of hemocytes are correspondingly lower. The results obtained can be used to assess the physiological state of the Australian red claw crayfish during their life cycle in closed water systems under industrial conditions.