Influence of Visible Implant Fluorescent Elastomer (VIE) Tagging on Growth, Molting and Survival of the Eastern White River Crayfish, Procambarus acutus acutus (Girard, 1852)

Authors: YAVUZ MAZLUM

Abstract: Tag retention, growth, molting, and survival of crayfish, Procambarus acutus acutus, 35-37 mm in total length were evaluated between tagged and untagged groups. There were no significant differences in molting and survival between the tagged and untagged groups (P > 0.05). Tag retention was 100% for crayfish kept individually in plastic containers for the 60-day experimental period. The tagged group had a mean growth of 7.0 mm (molts only) while the untagged group had a mean growth of 4.0 mm (molts only). Molting rates were similar between the tagged and untagged groups. Nine molts were observed each in the tagged (n = 30) and untagged (n = 30) groups, respectively. Survival rates were 96.6% for both groups. Although the tags did not affect molting or survival, they did significantly affect the growth of crayfish in the short term (P < 0.05).

Keywords: Crayfish, growth, molting, survival

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