THE EFFECTS OF USING DIFFERENT STOCKING VOLUMES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BROODSTOCKS OF THE BLUE CRAB, CALLINECTES SAPIDUS RATHBUN, 1896 (BRACHYURA, PORTUNIDAE)

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of different stocking volumes on the survival and growth of broodstocks of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. Based on a Pearson correlation test, 0.70 litre tanks with three groups at different stocking densities (15, 10 and 5 individuals per tank) have been used in this study. The results show that the mortality rate due to cannibalism was high in the first test group, while it was found to be lower in the third group. There were significant differences in survival rates in the three different groups used in this trial of broodstock cultivation (p0.05). The higher the stocking densities, the lower the survival rates, i.e., significantly increasing the broodstock density reduces the survival rate. Statistical differences have also been found in the development rates of broodstock crabs (p0.05), and it has been noted that there is slower development at higher stocking densities. If calculating the optimal stock density for mass production purposes is desired, less density thus appears to be more advantageous for both survival and growth rate. © ÖVGÜ GENCER, 2023