AUSTRALIAN CRAYFISH CULTURE IN THE AMERICA

Australian crayfish have generated the interest of aquaculturists in t he Americas. Of the 5 commercially significant species in Australia, t he red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus is considered to have the greatest potential for commercial aquaculture outside Australia. Repro duction is easily accomplished in indoor tanks and culture ponds. Juve niles are released from the female so no larval rearing is required. I n temperate climates juveniles are raised in indoor tanks for I to 2 m onths before stocking into ponds. In tropical countries, breeding and nursery rearing is accomplished in ponds. Culture ponds are usually st ocked at densities of 4-6 m(-2) and juveniles can attain a market size (100 g) in 6-8 months. Feeding includes vegetative forages supplement ed with pelleted crustacean diets. Yields of about 2,000 kg ha(-1) are reported after 6 months.