Effect of apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) and by-catch fish feeding on the growth, production and nutrient composition of mudcrab (Scylla serrata) in ponds

The culture of mud crab (Scylla serrata) was carried out at the Brackishwater Fishpond of Samar State University Mercedes Campus, Catbalogan City. Nine net enclosures, each with 50 m2 area were stocked with crablets (25 g. average body weight) at 1 crablet/m2 and raised for 120 days. The study consisted of three treatments, as follows: Treatment I (fed with apple snail), Treatment II (fed with apple snail + by - catch fish combination), and Treatment III (fed with by - catch fish). Results showed that after 120 days, the highest final mean weight of 471.59 g was obtained in Treatment II, followed by 442.04 g in Treatment III and 424.27 g in Treatment I. Mean daily weight increments (g/crab/day) for Treatments I, II and III were 3.33 g; 3.72 g and 3.47 g, respectively. Survival rates were 45.67% (Treatment II and III) and 45.33% (Treatment I). Mean yield of 2,185.60 (Treatment II), 2,027.67 (Treatment III), and 1,887.27 kg/ha (Treatment I) do not differ significantly (P 0.05). However, final mean weights, mean daily weight increments, and percentage survival do not differ significantly (P 0.05) among treatments. Apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) is a potential feed source for mud crabs or it could be administered in combination with by - catch fish. In order to improve production mortality rates should be reduced