Peculiarities of growth and survival of Australian red claw crayfish during imobilization of the claws in artificial conditions

Based on the experiment, we determined the effect of immobilization of the first pereiopods in the Australian red-clawed crayfish on the rate of linear growth in length, body weight, duration of interlarval intervals, number of moults, consumed feed, level of cannibalism and survival of individuals in artificial conditions. When two claws were immobilized, the growth rates of crayfish in length, body weight, molting frequency, and the amount of food eaten decreased, but their survival rate increased even while maintaining an increased density in the containers (32.5±6.5 ind./m2). Fixation of one claw did not affect food consumption, but aggression and the level of cannibalism decreased and the intermolting period increased. Crayfish with free claws grew unevenly, survival rate and density decreased to 20±5 ind./m2. It was revealed that immobilization of claws contributed to an increase in the survival rate of molting individuals in comparison with crayfish with free claws. Recommendations are given for the use of claw immobilization in the Australian red-clawed crayfish to reduce aggression and cannibalism when keeping crayfish in closed water supply installations.