The culinary world had explored and produced multiple irresistible dishes that is based on mangrove crabs. Interestingly, despite their rarity in the area, the USA has the highest consuming levels and demand for mangrove crabs.
With a market opportunity so big globally, it is no wonder that people have chosen to raise mangrove crabs of their own as a career path. When done wisely and well, harvesting and exporting mangrove crabs to food establishment can be deemed a profitable source of income.
So, if you’re thinking of giving this a shot, read through this article to find out how to profit from breeding mangrove crabs.
1. Designating Sufficient Living Spaces
Similar to raising fishes, breeders should be able to designate sufficient living spaces for their mangrove crab farm. The general rule of thumb states the ideal measurement of a farm should have the depth of 0.8-1 m with the salinity levels of 15-30 ppt. The location should also be constructed using mud and sandy clay, with a circumference of 1.5-2 m.
Aside from the size of the area, consider the location of said living spaces as well. Though it may vary according to the breeders’ needs, mangrove crabs should have a sufficient level of sunlight exposure, and as much shade as deemed healthy. Mangrove crabs should also be kept away from any harmful predators that may live around the premises.
2. Determining Factors of a Habitable Pond
Now that you’ve located and constructed your mangrove crab’s living spaces, be sure that you maintain the quality of said pond. To do this, there are multiple determining factors that encourages mangrove crabs to grow healthier and stronger. Said determining factors consists of the following:
- Pond water should be sterile from harmful bacterias and diseases
- Pond water should not be too much nor too little in quantity
- Feed supply should be around the premises
- Overall quality, location, and size should be habitable
- Pond should be constructed away from any potential predator
3. Constructing an Indestructible Fence
To prevent predators from harming, and to prevent your farm from escaping the premises, be sure to build around a fence that separates your farm from the wilderness. Mangrove crabs, especially to the less healthy counterparts, are prone to escape once they’ve copulated and had produced eggs of their own. The chances of escaping also heightens when the mangrove crabs do not feel comfortable living in their habitats.
To avoid this, breeders should always maintain and keep an eye out on their ponds. This means that breeders should replace and sterilise the pond water whenever necessary, or provide sufficient feed. After doing sure, do dedicate time to construct a sturdy fence that cages the area: with a diameter of about 2-4m in width and 60 in height.
4. Investing on Your First Pair
To start a farm, you should first invest on your first healthy pair to reproduce many offsprings from. Visit your local animal shops, or consult any experienced breeders, and invest on a pair that is at their optimal health. It is also advised that breeders invest on a pair that is of age to speed up their reproducing stage.
A great distinction in choosing the right mangrove crab is those with a developed gonad. To locate this organ, breeders could look under their stomach by gently lifting their shells by a little bit. This is done to determine their age maturity and sexual health.
5. Temporary Living Areas and Adaptation
No matter how natural you’d try to turn your living spaces into, most pairs would still require time to adjust to their new surroundings. To help speed up the process, gently locate your initial pair in a temporary living space first.
To construct this area, take a huge bucket and layer the surface with sand and PVC pipe with the length and width ratio of 3:2. Adjusting female mangrove crabs would immediately take cover inside said pipe, and the breeders should always monitor once they are confident enough to leave their safe space and ready to be relocated to the bigger living spaces.
6. Sufficient Feed
One of the most important material you should always have ready would be their feed. Mangroves can be prescribed to multiple diets such as small fishes, squids, seashells, or even over-the-counter nutritional pellets. These basic feed would make up to 10-15% of their overall mass, so be sure to choose wisely according to your own needs.
Additionally, breeders should also prescribe their farms with extra supplements and formula for about 2% of their overall weight. This would not only help them bulk up, but would also prevent them from catching harmful diseases and illnesses. Also, for once every 1-2 weeks, breeders could feed their mangrove crabs sea worms for an extra nutritional boost.
7. Water Media
As briefly discussed in the previous points, breeders should take extra precaution with their living spaces’ water supply. Be sure that the height of water in the pond should only reach up to around 30 cm to prevent said mangrove crabs from drowning.
It is also advised, for sanitary reasons, that the pond water is mixed with 10-20ppm dose of chloride. This chemical is used to kill off harmful bacterias and germs. However, to avoid direct poisoning, do neutralised the mixed water with sodium after 12 days before it is habitable for your farm.
8. Egg Hatching
Breeders should anticipate every turn of events when their female crabs have given birth. This requires breeders to stay cautious of their farm’s surroundings. After the eggs have matured, be sure to separate said eggs in a different container (filled with 300l of water) to avoid further damage from unknowing adult crabs.
9. Monitor Mortality Rate
As morbid as it sounds, it is important that breeders monitor the mortality rate of their farm. This is to ensure that breeders find the root of the problem and take action before any further damage has been done. Usually, the cause of the death of mangrove crabs is due to untreated fungal infection, lack of nutrients, stress, and other factors alike.
When you sense an unhealthy and concerning crab within your farm, be sure to isolate them from their healthier counterparts so that they do not infect others. Locate them in a large bucket filled with a mixture of water and 0.1ppm of Treflan to disinfect any diseases. Be sure to add said dose 3 times a day to clear off any fungal infections.
10. Raising Zoeae
Zoeae, or hatched mangrove crab eggs, grow the best at a room temperature of 26.5-31 degrees. Within 7-14 days after the female crabs produce their eggs, these Zoeae should be relocated into a separate bucket to prevent any harmful predators from attacking them.
The ideal temporary habitat for these Zoeae should have a diameter of 4m and the height of 1m for every 50 Zoeae. If the number increases, do not force them all into one. Enough space is designated to ensure that they grow and live comfortably to reach their optimal health. Be sure to also prescribed them a nutrient-packed diet for a good healthy start.
So there you have it, several tips on how to profit from breeding mangrove crabs. Essentially, all breeders need to ensure is that their farm grows healthily and rapidly. Though these are just general tips, it is advised that breeders consult medical professionals and do more prior research on what is best for their farm.