Preliminary observations on the larval cycle of arrow crab Stenorhynchus seticornis (Herbst, 1788) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Majidae) in laboratory

Abstract

The aim of this work was close the larval cycle of Stenorhynchus seticornis using techniques developed for commercial prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The Stenorhynchus seticornis larvae came from a spawn in aquarium in Aquaculture Laboratory of the Federal University of Pernambuco. Fifty larvae were transferred to a circular vessel with two liters of water in the same conditions of spawn. Means values for water quality parameters were: 28.7°C for temperature, 6.7 mg/L oxygen, 35.1‰ salinity, 8.4 pH and 0.01 mg/L ammonium. The larvae were fed ad libitum with chopped fish and nauplius of Artemia sp. three times a day. The first megalopa occurred after ten days and 50% of survivors passed to megalopa stage after twelve days. The final survival was 30%. The present findings demonstrate that this crab may be cultured using standard techniques developed for commercial prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii industry and has also potential to ornamental aquaculture.