Growth Model of Fattening Mud Crab (Scylla sp.) and Moulting Speed Using an Apartment System with Probiotic Feed Supplement

The fattening of mangrove crabs provides a sustainable approach to resource management in the Baturusa River Basin. This study, conducted from September to November 2023 in the Selindung Sub-watershed, investigated the male-to-female ratio, growth model, and moulting speed of mangrove crabs using an apartment fattening system. The experiment was carried out at the Kulong Kelat Sukses aquaculture group, utilizing probiotic feed supplements. The results indicate that wild mangrove crab harvesting has reached a critical stage due to habitat degradation and overfishing, with captured crabs measuring 6.9– 9.8cm in carapace width. The observed male-to-female ratio was 1.4:1, favoring males. Fattened crabs reached sizes of 7.1– 11.8cm, following a growth model represented by Y = 6.05e0.34x (R² = 0.98). The moulting rate was 23.33%, with 14 out of 60 crabs moulting within 50 days. The moulting speed ranges from 7 to 43 days with an average of 24.5 days. Crabs in the apartment system exhibited accelerated moulting, while underweight crabs required a longer duration. Water quality monitoring was essential, with most parameters within acceptable limits. While nitrate and phosphate levels were slightly elevated, they did not significantly affect crab survival. These findings demonstrate that the apartment fattening system, combined with probiotic supplementation, enhances mangrove crab growth and moulting efficiency. This approach offers a promising solution for sustainable aquaculture, ensuring improved productivity while mitigating overfishing pressures on wild crab populations.