CRUSTACEANS
CRUSTACEANS
CRUSTACEANS
Module 6
It will present crustaceans, mollusks and seaweeds and the many ways
by which these aquatic species live and can be made productive and
lucrative in the market.
There are indeed more than meets the eye when it comes to aquaculture
so there are myriads of profitable opportunities await each one in the
fisheries industry. This reality will be given even more light and
motivation.
Moulting- process of
growth
- frequent during younger
stages
- cast off their old
shell
- soft, flexible body
- absorb water to increase
their size
- secrete calcium salts that
harden the body
Like a snake shedding its skin, or a kid needing larger
clothes, crabs, prawns, barnacles and all
other crustaceans need to shed their hard outer layers
in order to grow. This process is called molting.
Crabs will shed the shell on their backs, their legs, and
even the coverings on their eyes, and gills
Body parts of crustaceans:
1. cephalothorax-fusion of head and thorax
eyes, mouth, antenna, antennules, rostrum
carapase-exoskeleton
Walking legs-pereopods, 5 pairs
2. abdomen- 6 segments
uropods-wing-like appendage
pleopods-swimming legs
telson- pointed
- on the tail of the prawn
EGG STAGE
LARVAL STAGE
- naupilus
- protozoa
- mysis
JUVENILE STAGE
- megalopa
- juvenile
- adolescent
ADULTSTAGE
- sub adult
- breeder
Growout of juvenile mud crabs is a common practice
overseas, but in Australia it has not yet progressed
beyond pilot-scale operations. In aquaculture farms,
post-nursery crabs reach marketable size and maturity
in 6–7 months compared with 18–24 months under
natural conditions.
It takes lobsters an average of 5 to 7 years (depending
on the water temperature) to grow to legal size, and
they grow more slowly as they get larger. Therefore a
lobster that weighs 3 pounds is an estimated 15-20
years old, and a 25 pound lobster would
be approximately 75-100 years old.
Life Cycle of a Crab
Life Cycle of a Shrimp
Life Cycle of a Lobster
Learning Task # 6 - Crustaceans, Mollusks and
Seaweeds
Observe your locality and notice the other species in
aquaculture aside from the fish.