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Growth and survival rate of freshwater lobster (Cherax quadricarinatus)

fed different forage feed
To cite this article: A P A Samad et al 2022 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 956 012006

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The 11th AIC-ELS 2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 956 (2022) 012006 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/956/1/012006

Growth and survival rate of freshwater lobster (Cherax

quadricarinatus) fed different forage feed

A P A Samad1*, M F Isma1, E Ayuzar2, Ilhamdi3, R Humairani4, F Santi1

1
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Samudra, Indonesia
2
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Malikussaleh,
Indonesia
3
Department of Aquaculture, Politeknik Kelautan dan Perikanan Pariaman, Indonesia
4
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Almuslim, Indonesia

*Corresponding author: agus.putra.samad@gmail.com

Abstract. Lobster is among freshwater crustaceans which is potentially cultivated in aquaculture

system. This present study was conducted to determine the growth and survival rate of freshwater
lobster Cherax quadricarinatus fed different forage feed. The experimental methode used a
completely randomized design consisted of 4 treatments in triplicate: commercial diet (PL),
commercial diet and carrots (PW), commercial diet and potatoes (PK) and commercial diet and
sweet potatoes (PU). The experimental lobsters were 5-7 cm in size and 6-8 g in weight. Results
indicated that forage feeding can affect the total weight and length, weight gain, specific growth
rate and survival rate of lobster. Data showed the best weight gain and specific growth rate were
found in PW (34.37±0.30%) and (1.05±0.03%), respectively. The lowest survival rate was seen
in PU at 86.67%. However, the best feed conversion ratio gained by PL at 1.74±0.09. This study
suggested that the combination of commercial diet with carrots provided the best growth
performances in freshwater lobster Cherax quadricarinatus.

1. Introduction
Freshwater lobsters have promising prospects in fisheries society. This crustacean is easy to cultivate in
aquatic systems and employ significant influence in aquaculture [1,2]. Moreover this omnivorous
organism [3,4,5] tolerance with high stocking density, utilize simple technology, and can be cultivated
in a wide range of water quality [6], disease resistant and has a high fecundity [7]. Viewed from
aquaculture aspects and market demand, lobsters are feasible to be widely developed to provide
economic benefits and maintain its sustainability [8,9] In addition, besides to meet the consumption
needs, currently freshwater lobsters mostly used as ornamental organisms, because of their unique shape
and beautiful body color which are very suitable to be used as ornamental animals in aquariums [10],
and have export opportunities in various countries [11,12].
The lobster is wrapped by shell that serves to protect its body from predators. The largest lobster
(Cherax quadricarinatus) size is 40 cm with a weight of up to 3.5 kg [13]. Lobster’s body is divided
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The 11th AIC-ELS 2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 956 (2022) 012006 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/956/1/012006

into 3, namely cephalothorax, abdomen and telson. The cephalothorax is completely covered by a shell
called the carapace. This carapace will extend from the thoracic somite that ends up to the eye, and
serves to protect the gills [14].
In terms of aquaculture activities, feed availability plays a very important role to mantain the growth
and the survival of aquatic animals [12,15,16] because feed occupies 40-50% of the total production
costs [6]. Therefore, it is very necessary to provide a good type, composition and size in accordance
with the need of the cultivated organisms. The food commonly used in lobster cultivation is artificial
feed and supplementary feed such as: grains, moss, fresh meat, worms and vegetables. However, it is
reported that lobster usually consumed very little feed compared to its relatively large body size. Adult
lobsters only need 2-3 grams per day [8].
The freshwater lobster growth performances are mostly affected by feed availability [17,18],
therefore it is essential to determine the types and feed ingredients that can accelerate the increase of (C.
Quadricarinatus) growth. Previously, there are some forage feeds that used in aquatic organisms
including potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes and other vegetables [19,20]. These forages have high
nutrients, easy to process, affordable and in accordance with the eating habits of lobsters. So that
experiment is needed to obtain information about what type of feed is best to increase the growth and
survival rate of freshwater lobster. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the growth and survival rate of
freshwater lobster (C. quadricarinatus) fed different forage feed.

2. Material and Methods

2.1. Research procedures

This research was conducted at Lukup Badak Fish Seed Center, Aceh. The experiment consisted of 4
treatments in triplicate, namely commercial diet (PL), commercial diet and carrots (PW), commercial
diet and potatoes (PK) and commercial diet and sweet potatoes (PU). All lobsters were reared in a 100
L aquarium (75 x 40 x 35 cm) at a density of 5 lobsters/aquarium in a closed system. Before using, all
aquarium were cleaned then filled with 80 L water and aerated to maintain the availability of oxygen.
The bottom of aquariums was also provided with artificial grass and PVC pipe as shelters.
The study was carried out for 28 days. During the study, all tested lobsters were fed according to the
treatments, namely commercial diet and forage feed in the form of potatoes, carrots and sweet potatoes.
Application of feed was 3% of the biomass. The frequency of feeding was twice a day, at 07.00 a.m and
17.00 p.m. The feeding was applied 25% in the morning with commercial diets and 75% in the afternoon
with forage feed (potatoes, carrots and sweet potatoes). The percentage of feeding is adjusted to the
lobster's eating habits (nocturnal).This research was conducted in four locations in the northern waters
of Aceh, namely Ujong Pancu Beach, Kuala Cangkoi Beach, Syiah Kuala Beach, and Alue Naga Beach
in April-July 2021. Identification of lamp shells was carried out in the Marine Biology laboratory,
Faculty of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and substrate analysis was carried out.

2.2. Research parameters

Data collection included sampling of weight, length, and feed consumption were collected on 0, 7, 14,
21, and 28 days. Whereas, sampled of water quality such as temperature, pH and DO were taken daily.
Data on growth rate was calculated using formula: W = Wt – Wo, whereas W: Growth rate (g), Wt:
Final weight (g), Wo: Initial weight (g). Total length was calculated using formula: Lm = Lt – Lo,
whereas: Lm: Total lenght (cm), Lt: Final length (cm), Lo: Initial length (cm) [15,21].
Survival rate was calculated as the percentage of lobsters surviving in each sampling period and
calculated following the formula mentioned by [21] and [22] as follows: SR = Nt/N0 x 100%. Feed
Conversion Ratio (FCR) is the ratio of the amount of feed given. The formula for calculating FCR is as
follows: FCR= F/ (Wt+D)-Wo, whereas: FCR: feed conversion ratio, Wo: Initial weight, Wt: Final
weight, D: number of dead fish, F: amount of feed consumed. Specific growth rate was calculated using
the following formula: SGR = ((Ln Wt – Ln Wo) / t ) x 100%, SGR: Spesific growth rate (%), Wo:

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The 11th AIC-ELS 2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 956 (2022) 012006 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/956/1/012006

initial weight (g), Wt: final weight (g), t: days. Weight gain: WG = 100 x [(final weight (g) – initial
weight (g)] / initial weight (g) [15,22].

2.3. Data analysis

All collected data were analyzed using the F test and if each treatment showed significant difference of
the samples, then it would be followed by a comparative analysis with Duncan's multiple test to see the
best treatment and the relationship between the treatments. The average scores were used to determine
each treatment and statistical analyses were considered significant different at P< 0.05.

3. Result and Discussion

3.1. Growth performances

The results of the study showed that different feeding treatments had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the
increase in weight and length. The average growth performances of freshwater lobsters can be seen in
table 1.

Table 1. Mean body weight (BW), final length (TL), weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR),
and survival rate (SR) of freshwater lobster.
Weight (g) Length (cm)
Variables WG (%) SGR (%) SR (%)
Initial Final Initial Final
PL 6.78 ±1.07 8.27 ±0.32c 3.05 ±0.16 3.41 ±0.17b 21.90 ±2.02b 0.73 ±0.11b 100
PW 6.43 ± 0.15 8.65 ±0.05b 3.10 ±0.04 3.58 ±0.13a 34.37 ±0.30c 1.05 ±0.03c 100
PK 7.78 ±0.23 9.49 ±0.49a 3.22 ±0.18 3.57 ±0.12a 20.56 ±0.65b 0.65 ±0.03b 100
PU 8.47 ±0.90 9.41 ±0.74a 3.06 ±0.03 3.50 ±0.04a 11.13 ±1.60a 0.36 ±0.05a 86.67

Values are means of triplicate groups’ ± SD. Within a column, means with different letters are
significantly different (P<0.05), Means with the same letters or absence of letters indicate not
significantly different (P>0.05) between treatments. Data on Table 1. showed that the final weight of
freshwater lobster in the PW treatment was significantly different from other treatments. However, the
PK treatment did not significantly different with PU. The best final body weight was reached by PW
(2.22 g), followed by PK (1.71 g), whereas the lowest weight was seen in PU (0.94 g) (Figure 1).
Based on the data of weight increment (0.94 - 2.22 g) and length increase (0.35 - 0.48 cm), Informed
that lobsters have slow growth in weight and length. This is in accordance with [23] which states that
the increase in length is not in line with the weight gain of the lobster, because the increase in length
only occurs when the lobster has gone through the molting process, while weight gain is influenced by
the quality and amount of feed consumed. Moreover, analysis of feed in the stomach of freshwater
lobster is not always credible [2], to count the amount of ingested feed in lobster is complicated [24]
because commonly freshwater lobsters tear the feed in pieces before swallow it.
The results on final length (Figure 2) showed that PL was significantly different from the PW, PK
and PU. The freshwater lobster (C. quadricarinatus) showed an increase in length every week in each
treatment. The best length increment was found in the PW (0.48 cm), while the lowest length increase
was seen in PK (0.35 cm).
This study showed that survival rate of the experimental lobster was very appropriate, whereas the
survival rate was not less than 80%. The high average percentage of lobster survival rate in each
treatment was presumably because the quantity and quality of the feed provided met their nutritional
needs. However, in PU there were deaths during rearing period caused by cannibalism. Cannibalism
occurs in small lobsters and mature lobsters that are undergoing the molting process. When the molting
process is going on, the lobster will emit a distinctive aroma that attracts the attention of other lobsters
so that cannibalism occurs. [7] stated that molting is the most vulnerable time for lobsters. Because when

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The 11th AIC-ELS 2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 956 (2022) 012006 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/956/1/012006

the outer shell comes off, the lobster will look weak and have no body armor which ultimately causes
the lobster to be easily preyed upon by other lobsters.

Weight of C. quadricarinatus

PL PW PK PU
10.0
9.5
9.0
Weight (g)

8.5
8.0
7.5
7.0
6.5
6.0
0 7 14 21 28
Days

Figure 1. Weight increment of Cherax quadricarinatus fed different forage feeding.

Length of C. quadricarinatus
PL PW PK PU
3.6
3.5
Length (cm)

3.4
3.3
3.2
3.1
3.0
0 7 14 21 28
Days

Figure 2. Lenght increment of Cherax quadricarinatus fed different forage feeding.

The best weight gain was found in PW: 34.37%, followed by PL and PK at 21.90% and 20.56%,
respectively, while the lowest was in PU: 11.13%. The highest specific growth rate was seen in PW:
1.05%, followed by PL at 0.73% and PK at 0.65%, whereas the lowest in PU: 0.36%. Growth rate is
closely related to feed consumption, environmental and genetic factors. [25,26] stated that protein in
feed is an absolute necessity to trigger growth and replace damaged cells.

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The 11th AIC-ELS 2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 956 (2022) 012006 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/956/1/012006

Weight gain of C. quadricarinatus

40.0
PL PW PK PU
Weight gain (%)

30.0

20.0

10.0

0.0
7 14 21 28
Days

Figure 3. Weight gain of Cherax quadricarinatus fed different forage feeding

3.2. Feed conversion ratio

Mean of feed conversion ratio during experiment as mention in Table 2.

Table 2. Mean of feed conversion ratio.
Treatments Feed Conversion Ratio
PL 1.74 ± 0.09 a
PW 2.44 ± 0.15ᵇ
PK 4.09 ± 0.04c
PU 5.47 ± 0.10d
Note: Different letters in the same column indicate significantly different treatments (p<0.05), the
values listed are the average value and standard error.

Based on table 2, it showed that feed conversion ratio in each treatment was significantly different,
whereas the best FCR was found in PL: 1.74, followed by PW: 2.44, while the largest feed conversion
was in PU: 5.47. The low or high FCR value calculated from feed consumption by the lobsters during
the study. This result informed that lobsters do not like sweet potatoes as its forage or additional feed.

3.2.1. Water quality

Another variable that influences the optimal growth of C. quadricarinatus is maintaining water quality.
The parameters observed in this study were temperature, pH and DO. The results of water quality
measurements during the study can be seen in Table 3.
Table 3. Mean value of water quality parameters.
Water quality
Variables
Temperature (⁰C ) pH DO
PL 21.7 7.15 4.6
PW 21.2 7.31 4.8
PK 21.6 7.28 4.6
PU 21.5 7.26 4.9

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The 11th AIC-ELS 2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 956 (2022) 012006 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/956/1/012006

During experiment, water quality was maintenance to meet the suitable range for habitat of the
lobsters. Data showed that temperature ranges from 21.2-22.5⁰C, pH: 7.15-7.31 and dissolved oxygen:
4.6-4.9 mg/l. The results of water quality during the study were still in the optimum range. This is similar
with Iskandar [7,27] which states that the ideal temperature for lobster rearing is 20-30⁰C. Water
temperatures that are less than 20⁰C or more than 30⁰C can cause lobster growth to be disrupted, and
the lobster's appetite will decrease [28]. The pH value during maintenance is around 7 which is
considered suitable for lobster habitat. Moreover, [29,30] mentioned the optimal pH for lobster growth
is in the range of 6-8. The DO during the study ranged from 4-5 mg/l, which met the standards for the
survival of lobster. The high and low value of DO in the waters can indicate the quality of the waters.
[30,31] stated that the higher the DO value, the better the water quality.

4. Conclusion
This present study concluded that different forage feeding significantly affected total weight and length,
weight gain, specific growth rate, survival rate, and feed conversion ratio. The combination of
commercial diet with carrots showed the best growth performances. However, it is recommended that
during the lobster cultivation process, it is essential to sustain a regular diet so that cannibalism does not
occur and the water quality is maintained.

Acknowledgment
Authors wishing to acknowledge assistance and encouragement from colleagues, special thanks to
technical staff of Department of Aquaculture, Universitas Samudra for supporting all equipments during
this experiment.

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 956 (2022) 012006 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/956/1/012006

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