A review of nutritional biology and dietary requirements of redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens 1868)

Redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus, von Martens 1868) is a freshwater decapod crustacean with a number of biological and commercial attributes that make it an excellent aquaculture species. The redclaw aquaculture industry has been growing rapidly since the mid-1980s in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Redclaw aquaculture is mostly in extensive pond systems, but interest in developing more intensive systems is increasing. To support continued intensification, development of high-quality practical diet formulations and information about redclaw nutrition requirements are necessary. A number of studies have determined optimum dietary protein and lipid requirements for juvenile redclaw. However, there is limited information on essential amino acid and fatty acid requirements. Several studies report the presence of various digestive enzymes that have been linked to the ability of the species to digest a wide range of dietary components. Furthermore, as in many other aquaculture species, there is a need to replace fishmeal with other protein sources. A number of studies explored the possibility of replacing fish meal with various terrestrial plant sources of protein and lipids and showed that redclaw can be offered diets containing low-cost, plant-based ingredients without compromising survival, growth and, to a certain extent, reproduction. Formulated diets containing less expensive, plant-based ingredients will contribute to a more profitable and environmentally sustainable redclaw aquaculture industry. Finally, there is also a paucity of information on vitamin and mineral requirements of redclaw and little information on nutrient requirements of broodstock. For the redclaw aquaculture industry to thrive, we need to have a better understanding of nutrient requirements at all life stages.