Effects of Anchovy By-Product-Based Diets Supplemented with Soy Lecithin on the Reproductive Performance of Red Claw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus)

The present study aimed to determine the growth and reproductive performances of red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) fed formulated diets based on anchovy by-product meal, supplemented with varying levels of lecithin. The SL0 diet, containing 0% soy lecithin, was used as the control, and four experimental feeds were included with different lecithin levels: SL1: 1% soy lecithin, SL2: 2% soy lecithin, SL3: 3% soy lecithin and SL4: 4% soy lecithin. Five broodstock (four females and one male) were stocked in the square fiberglass tank (105 cm ´ 105 cm ´ 36 cm; 400L) and fed twice daily (0900h and 1600h) until satiation for 11 weeks. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test at p < 0.05. Growth and survival rates showed no significant differences among treatments. Notably, SL4 exhibited the highest gonadosomatic index (GSI) at 2.50 ± 1.99%, while SL3 had the highest hepatosomatic index (HSI) at 6.20 ± 1.18%. The spawning rate peaked in SL1 (63.89%), followed by SL0 (47.22%), SL2 (41.67%), SL3 (41.67%), and SL4 (25.00%). SL4 also had the highest fecundity (14.94 eggs/g female), with SL3 (10.72 eggs/g female) and SL0 (9.50 eggs/g female) following. Lipid content in muscle varied from 1.14% (SL4) to 1.46% (SL3), with no significant differences. However, lecithin inclusion notably affected lipid content in hepatopancreas and gonad, with SL1 exhibiting the highest hepatopancreas lipid (61.04%) and SL2 the highest gonad lipid (27.78%). The data suggest that dietary lecithin plays an important role in the reproductive performance of red claw crayfish. Overall, anchovy by-product meal has high potential to serve as a dietary ingredient in the feed formulation for both juvenile and broodstock of red claw crayfish.