Growth performance, gonadal development and nutritional composition of adult Eriocheir sinensis from Dongying

Abstract:

The differences in culture performance and nutritional composition of adult Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) were investigated through continuous sampling and biochemical analysis. Growth performance, puberty molting rate, hepatosomatic index (HSI), gonadosomatic index (GSI), meat yield (MY), total edible yield (TEY), condition factor (CF), and nutritional composition were compared for the three edible tissues of adult Eriocheir sinensis. The results illustrated that:(1) Regardless of females or males, the power function model was found between body mass and carapace length or carapace width, and liner function was discovered between carapace length and carapace width. The mean body mass of females was always lower than that of males, and there was significant difference from July to September (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in WGR and SGR between females and males (P>0.05). (2) The females had slightly earlier puberty molting than males, and the peak of puberty molting appeared between August and September. All adults completed molting until mid-September. From August to October, a significant upward trend emerged in GSI of adults, while the HSI decreased (P<0.05). Higher proportion of female body mass was observed in 60.00-99.99 g, while males were in the range of 100.00-139.99 g in September. (3) The GSI and TEY of females were significantly higher than those of males, however, MY and CF of males were higher in October (P<0.05). The protein and lipid contents of female edible tissues were higher than those of males, but males had higher moisture content. No significant difference was found in ash content. Above all, the peak of puberty molting of adults in pond was observed between August and September. The total edible yield of female and male adults was 46.47% and 44.81%, respectively. Therefore, the edible tissues had higher nutritional value.