AGR116_A: Fisheries

Module 6

Crustaceans, Mollusks and Seaweeds

Introduction:

Welcome to Module 6 dear AGRIB109_A students! This sixth and last

module will provide us understanding and appreciation of the other
aquatic species aside from the fish.

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.

It is my continued hope that you ceaselessly have fun and sustained

interest while we actively course through this final stage in our study and
even beyond.
COURSE OUTCOME TARGETTED BY THE MODULE

1. Identify and differentiate the major aquatic species and

enumerate their requirements for production.

2. Review, interpret and analyze the production systems and

processes of representatives of the major aquatic species and
relate this to profitability, environmental impact, acceptability
and efficiency.

3. Identify, explain, discuss and compute which is the more

advantageous or desirable aquatic species/production systems
in today’s context.

4. Link data, knowledge and insight to propose developments

and/or improvements to existing production practices.
Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the other aquatic species in

aquaculture.
2. Translate learning to increased opportunities
and productivity in the field of fisheries.
3. Create a workable concept around the
knowledge acquired in this module.
 Crustaceans
(Lobsters,Crabs, and Shrimp)
Crustaceans-invertebrate (no backbone)
exoskeleton- outer skeleton

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

spawning fertilized egg

Spongy gills- absorption of water/absorb water
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
External Fertilization

The release of the reproductive material may be

triggered by water temperature or the length of
daylight. Nearly all fish spawn, as do crustaceans (such
as crabs and shrimp), mollusks (such as oysters), squid,
and echinoderms (such as sea urchins and sea
cucumbers).
How do crabs reproduce? Scylla serrata

The male transfers sperm by inserting his gonopods

(sexual organs resembling antennae) into the two
genital pores, called gonophores, on the female's
underside. The female stores the sperm in a storage
sac called a spermatheca until she is ready to use it.
How do crabs reproduce?

When a male and female crab mate, many female

decapod crabs can store the male sperm until her
eggs are ready to be released. When the eggs are
released, the stored sperm flows over them and they
become fertilised. The female crab holds the fertilised
eggs in a big spongy mass between its abdominal flap
and the body.
Typical male lobsters (Nephropidae) will deposit
packets of sperm on the underside of the female. The
female will later use the sperm to
externally fertilize her eggs as they are laid. The
female can store the sperm for several months,
waiting for the egg-laying season, which typically
occurs during July and August.
Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) use external fertilization.
This is usually performed in an aquatic environment,
by spawning, where eggs and sperms are released into
the water in the same area. Once the sperm reaches
the egg, fertilization can occur.
It typically takes 120 to 140 days to get shrimp to
harvest size. Around 22-25 grams.
STAGES IN CRUSTACEANS

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.

Take a close look also of the different opportunities

available and how lucrative an aquaculture venture can
become when one take full advantage of opportunities
around crustaceans.

Document your activity by taking pictures of these findings

and writing about your realizations and insights.