Biological aspects of cultivation of the Australian red-clawed crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868) in Russia

The Australian redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868) is one of the promising subjects of global aquaculture. In the article on the basis of studies of life cycle, growth, critical values of temperature, salinity tolerance, feeding preferences of Australian redclaw crayfish the current state and prospects of cultivation of this species in Russia are considered. The weaknesses and strengths of current technology are identified. The most promising for the cultivation of the Australian redclaw crayfish are the southern regions of Russia, where it is possible to grow the species in summer in pond aquaculture for more than three to four months at temperatures above 20 °C. To achieve higher cultivation efficiency, it is recommended to use technologies that combine commercial pond rearing with the production and rearing of juveniles in a closed recirculation system.