J. Bio. & Env. Sci.

2025

Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)

ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online)
Vol. 26, No. 1, p. 40-45, 2025
http://www.innspub.net

RESEARCH
RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS

Protein diet sources on the growth and survival rate of blue

swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) cultured in fattening cages

Erica Mae M. Nemenzo, Ana Marie P. Barotil, Jomari A. Orillosa*

Bohol Island State University, Calape Campus, Philippines

Article published on January 03, 2025

Key words: Blue swimming crab, Fattening cages, Growth increment, Survival

Abstract
Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus pelagicus) is a highly nutritious food and an important commercial species of
crabs. This study aimed to determine the growth and survival rate of Blue Swimming Crab fed with different
treatments. The researchers used experimental method of research to determine the growth and survival rate of
blue swimming crab cultured in fattening cages. The experiment was lain out in Randomized Complete Block
Design (RCBD) using four treatments namely: T0-Commercial Feeds, T1-Low Valued Fish (Indian Sardine), T2-
Ragworm, and T3-50% low valued fish + 50% ragworm. Kruskal Wallis Test was used to test the significant
difference among the four treatments. Results showed that among all the treatments, T1 got the highest growth
increment in terms of weight and width with 22.79 g and 16.1 cm respectively and obtained the highest specific
growth rate with 75.97 % day-1. In terms of length, T3 got the highest growth increment with 13.58 cm. Moreover,
all treatments got 100% survival rate. Results revealed that there was a significant difference on the growth in
terms of weight, length, and width on the four treatments but not significantly different in terms of survival rate.
It can be concluded that use of ragworm alone or combination of low valued fish such as Indian sardines and
ragworm can be a potential feed for it exhibits best growth in culturing blue swimming crab.
*Corresponding Author: Jomari A. Orillosa  [email protected]

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Introduction fatty acids, including essential omega-3s like EPA

Aquaculture has emerged as one of the fastest- and DHA, which support growth and health in
growing sectors in global food production, providing aquatic species (Jamila et al., 2021). Their
substantial societal benefits as a source of livelihood, excellent digestibility and nutritional efficiency
trade, and sustainable seafood. Mariculture, a make them an economical and sustainable option
specialized branch of aquaculture, focuses on for aquaculture diets. Ragworms (Hediste
cultivating marine organisms in marine diversicolor), on the other hand, are a valuable
environments, including open oceans and enclosed feed source in aquaculture due to their high
coastal areas. Among the species cultured through nutritional content, including approximately 71%
mariculture, the blue swimming crab (Portunus crude protein and essential fatty acids such as
pelagicus) holds significant commercial value. omega-3s like EPA and DHA. These nutrients are
critical for the growth and health of marine
The blue swimming crab, a bottom-dwelling species, organisms. Their high digestibility further
inhabits estuaries, coastal lagoons, and underwater enhances their potential as a sustainable and
grasses in both shallow brackish and deeper saline efficient feed option in aquaculture systems
waters. It is an omnivorous species, feeding on clams, (Marques et al., 2017).
mussels, small crustaceans, fish, and detritus, making
it highly adaptable to cultivation in fish cages, ponds, This study aims to assess the growth and survival
and reservoirs. In the Philippines, this crab is one of rates of blue swimming crabs cultured in fattening
the most commercially vital seafood commodities. cages and fed with different protein diet sources.
According to Germano (1994), it constitutes a crucial By identifying sustainable and cost-efficient
component of local fisheries production. Its feeding strategies, the research addresses the
importance is further underscored by export data; the existing gap in aquaculture practices. It is
Philippines ranked as a major source of crab meat for anticipated that the findings will serve as the
the USA in 2011, accounting for 23% of the supply. By foundation for a feeding management program for
2013, it became the third leading fishery export in blue swimming crabs, promoting improved growth
terms of value, contributing ₱2.89 billion. In 2016, it and production. This research holds the potential
generated $55 million USD in revenue, with a total to advance the crab aquaculture industry in the
export volume of 4,200 metric tons (PSA, 2016). Philippines, contributing to food security and
Despite this, the growing demand for blue swimming economic development while reducing reliance on
crab in both local and international markets has expensive commercial feeds.
resulted in supply shortages, emphasizing the need
for improved aquaculture practices. Materials and methods
Research design
One significant challenge in blue swimming crab The study employed a single-factor design
aquaculture is the escalating cost of commercial implemented using the Randomized Complete Block
feeds, which hinders cost-efficient production. Design (RCBD) in a crab fattening cage. There were
Protein, a critical nutrient for the growth and four experimental treatments in total: T0 -
survival of crabs, is often sourced from expensive commercial feeds, T1 – low valued fish, T2 -
commercial diets. To address this, researchers are ragworms, and T3 – low valued fish (50%) + ragworm
investigating alternative, locally available protein (50%). Each treatment was replicated three times to
sources that are cost-effective and nutritionally ensure robustness and reliability of the results. The
beneficial. Indian sardines are highly valued as entire study was conducted over a period of sixty (60)
aquaculture feed due to their rich protein content days, allowing for observations and data collection
(up to 71%) and abundance of polyunsaturated within this culture duration.

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Cage preparation BSC. The average body weight (ABW) of the juvenile
The study took place at the marine environment BSC was carefully measured serving as the basis for
located at Mocpoc Norte, Loon, Bohol, Philippines determining the feeding rate used in the feed
that is six kilometers away from the national road. preparation. Furthermore, feeding was conducted two
The said area has an excellent water quality and is times a day during early in the morning and late in
away from any disturbances and pollution ideal for the afternoon.
culturing blue swimming crab (BSC). The
experiment was carried out first by preparing the Data gathering
materials in making crab fattening cages such as The initial weight (g) and length (cm) of the cultured
bamboo poles, nets, and nylon. The cage was juvenile BSC were gathered prior to stocking.
constructed in rectangular shape with a Subsequent sampling was conducted at fifteen-day
measurement of 4.5m × 6m with twelve equally intervals throughout the duration of the study. Data
divided compartments wherein every compartment was recorded at each sampling period to observe the
has a measurement of 1.5m by 1.5m. effects of the diets on the growth performance and
survival rate of the blue swimming crabs. Daily
Research materials monitoring of water parameters, including pH level,
Various materials were used in the experiment, temperature (°C), and salinity level were carried out
including 120 healthy juvenile blue swimming crab to ensure optimal conditions for the culture of BSC.
(BSC) samples, which were sourced from the
municipality of Ubay, Bohol. The samples were During the sampling, the cultured BSC were
transported to the research area using styrofoam individually counted, and their weight, length, and
containers. Prawn feeds served as the control diet, width were measured. The weight gain (WG) was
while low-value fish such as Indian sardines and calculated using the formula WG = W2-W1, where
ragworms were used as feed for the different W1 represents the initial mean weight and W2
treatments. A basin with a diameter of 16 inches was represents the final mean weight of cultured BSC at
used as a container for transferring the crabs during the conclusion of the experiment. Similarly, the
sampling. Bamboo, nets, and nylon were utilized for length gain (LG) was calculated using the formula
constructing the crab cages. A caliper was employed LG = L2-L1, where L1 represents the initial mean
to measure the length and width of the samples, while length and L2 represents the final mean length of
a digital weighing scale was used to determine their cultured BSC at the end of the experiment. Also,
weight. Water parameters, including pH, the width gain (VG) was calculated using the
temperature, and salinity, were measured using a pH formula VG = V2-V1, where V1 represents the initial
meter, thermometer, and refractometer, respectively. mean width and V2 represents the final mean width
Additionally, recording sheets and pens were used to of cultured BSC at the point of the experiment. To
document the data gathered during the study. determine the specific growth rate (SGR), the
formula SGR = {(In final weight – In initial
Feeding and feed preparation weight)/days} x 100 was utilized. Here, in refers to
The blue swimming crab in the study was provided the natural logarithm of final and initial weight.
with commercial feeds or the control diet with a crude The survival rate (SR) was calculated using the
protein of 37% (T0). Other experimental treatments formula used was SR = (number of survived
include: T1 – low valued fish (Indian sardines), T2 - stocks/total number of stocks) × 100. The data
ragworms, and T3 – low valued fish (50%) + ragworm collected throughout the study period were then
(50%). Indian sardines and ragworms were cleaned analyzed and interpreted to draw conclusions
first and chopped into smaller pieces prior to feeding about the effects of the diets on the growth
so that these could be easily eaten by the cultured performance and survival rate of the cultured BSC.

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Statistical analysis cultured BSC, those fed with low valued fish (T2)
The collected data were analyzed using a Kruskal exhibited the highest WG of 22.79 g, VG of 16.10 cm
Wallis Test at a significance level (α) of 0.05 to and SGR of 75.97 % day-1. Those fed with combination
determine if there were significant differences among of low valued fish and ragworm exhibited highest LG
the treatments. If the Kruskal Wallis Test result of 13.58 cm. However, those fed with commercial
indicates significant difference, a post hoc analysis feeds (T0) gained the lowest WG of 10.02 g, LG of 9.12
using Tukey’s HDS test was performed to identify cm, and SGR of 34.54% day-1. Also, those fed with
specific differences between independent factors. combination of low valued fish and ragworm (T3)
showed the lowest WG of 7.7 cm. All of the cultured
Results and Discussion BSC successfully survived throughout the entire
Table 1 presents the data on weight gain (WG), length culture period. The water quality parameters,
gain (LG), width gain (VG), specific growth rate including pH level and temperature (⁰C), remained
(SGR), survival rate (SR), and mean water quality within acceptable ranges throughout the study, with
parameters. The results indicate that among the no notable fluctuations recorded.

Table 1. Growth, survival, and mean water quality parameters of blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) fed
with different protein diet sources
Parameters Protein diet sources
T0 T1 T2 T3
Commercial Feeds Low Valued Fish Ragworm 50% low valued fish
+ 50% ragworm
Rearing period (Days) 60 60 60 60
Weight gain (g) 10.02 22.79 18.67 17.22
Length gain (cm) 9.12 13.03 9.26 13.58
Width gain (cm) 10.23 16.10 12.88 7.70
SGR (% BW day-1) 34.54 75.97 60.24 59.07
Survival rate (%) 100 100 100 100
pH level (mean) 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7
Temperature °C (mean) 30.4 30.4 30.4 30.4
Salinity level (mean) 30.8 30.8 30.8 30.8

Table 2. Kruskal Wallis test on the growth increment (weight, length, and width) and survival rate of blue
swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) fed with different protein diet sources
Treatments Mean rank F-value P-value α Decision Interpretation
Growth increment (Weight)
0 1.37767 38.109 0.000 0.05 Reject HO Significant
1 2.27900
2 1.77767
3 1.82267
Growth increment (Length)
0 0.93667 19.871 0.000 0.05 Reject HO Significant
1 1.25333
2 0.92667
3 1.28667
Growth increment (Width)
0 1.02667 92.991 0.000 0.05 Reject HO Significant
1 1.64000
2 0.89667
3 0.77333
Survival rate
0 - - 0.000 0.05 Accept HO Not-significant
1
2
3

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In addition, there was a significant among difference and survival rate and a combination of low valued fish
among the four treatments in terms of weight, length, and ragworm in terms of length. However, survival
width, and specific growth rate. However, there was rates remained unaffected by the treatments, and all
no significant difference observed in terms of survival crabs successfully survived throughout the culture
rate. These findings indicate that the following period. These findings highlight the potential of using
treatments significantly affect the growth of BSC in low valued fish and a combination of both low valued
terms of weight, length, width, as well as the specific fish and ragworm as an effective and sustainable feed
growth rate. However, the treatments did not have option for blue swimming crab aquaculture.
significantly affected the survival rate of the cultured
BSC. This information is summarized in Table 2. Acknowledgements
The authors sincerely express their gratitude to Bohol
The study showed that feeding blue swimming Island State University – Calape Campus for its
crabs with low-value fish (Indian sardines) and invaluable support and contributions to this study.
ragworms significantly enhanced their growth.
These findings are consistent with Manjappa et al. References
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