Mud Crab (Scylla serrata) Culture at Different Stocking Densities in Cages in Brackishwater Pond

The study on mud crab (Scylla serrata) culture at different stocking densities in cages in brackishwater pond was conducted at the College of Fisheries Laboratory and Research Station, Mindanao State University, Bawing, General Santos City from March 9 to May, 2019. Nine (9) units of 1m x 1m x 1 ft cages was used with stocking density of 2, 4 and 6 crabs/n2. The cages were compartmentalized into 2, 4 and 6 compartments in Treatments I, If and It, respectively. The crabs were fed with shrimp head meal twice a day at 7A.M and 5P.M. After 60 days of culture, Treatment II gained the highest mean body weight of 294.22, followed by Treatment III with 292.27, then by Treatment [ with 291.03 p. In terms of mean weight gain, Treatment 1 got the highest with 144.20g, followed by Treatment II] with 142.272, and then Treatment I with the lowest mean weight gain of 141g. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for mean body weight and mean weight gain show no significant difference among treatments (P>0.05). In terms of mean carapace length, Treatment II got the highest with 4.19 inches followed by Treatment II] with 4.05 inches, then Treatment I with 4.01 inches. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant difference among treatments (P>0.05). Mean feed conversion ratio is higher in Treatment I with 9.15, followed by Treatment III with 9.11 and Treatment II with 9.07. ANOVA showed that there was no significant difference among treatments (P>0.05). Water quality parameter readings for temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen where, 27-30°C, 10-30ppt, 8-8.3 and 4.3-6.1 respectively. These ranges were found to be within the tolerable limits of the cultured species. The study revealed that the growth and FCR of mud crab in Treatment II was better than the other treatments.