Distribution and Potential Culture of Introduced Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens 1868) in Malaysia

Awangku Shahrir Naqiuddin, Awg Suhaili (2020) Distribution and Potential Culture of Introduced Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens 1868) in Malaysia. PhD thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).

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Abstract

The redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens 1868) was introduced from Australia into Malaysia in 1990 for aquaculture at Kluang, Johor. Feral population of the redclaw crayfish was first recorded in the Parit Sulong, Johor in Peninsular Malaysia and in Bintulu, Sarawak in 2012. Since then, there were no records on feral redclaw crayfish population although redclaw culture facilities increases in number. The current study aimed to document the distribution of feral redclaw crayfish population and culture facilities throughout Malaysia. Field survey and interview was conducted in 29 different locations. Feral redclaw crayfish was recorded in Machap Dam and Benut River (Johor), Ayer Keroh Lake and Timun River (Melaka), Puchong Perdana Lake in Selangor and streams in WILMAR Plantation of Suai, Sarawak. An online search in the Facebook advertising platform showed that there are 24 redclaw culture facilities throughout Malaysia. To study the effects of redclaw crayfish on fish composition and water quality, a case study was conducted in Suai, Sarawak. A total of 136 redclaw crayfish individuals were recorded out of 295 of total individuals collected throughout the sampling period. Correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between redclaw crayfish number with fish composition in the area. The current study also aimed to determine the performance of the redclaw crayfish culture including the return of investment percentage. Three (3) vertical cylinder type tanks with 0.5 m radius and area of 0.8 m2 were used as replicates. Each tanks consists of 40 juvenile crayfish and fed ad libitum thrice daily using commercial white shrimp feed. The redclaw crayfish with sizes of 0.37g can reach to an average size of 30g in eight months in an outdoor tank culture system with 60.8% survival rate. The return of investment in the reclaw culture was 67.3%. The use of substrate to enhance redclaw culture performance was also conducted. The use of silt, sand and plastic mesh as substrates recorded higher final weight compared to the ones reared without any substrate. Redclaw crayfish reared with substrate containing 5.7% OM have significantly higher final weight, compared with the ones reared in substrates containing OM% lower than 2.6%.

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