Effects of fermented protein feed on the growth performance of pond-raised crab

Abstract This study aimed to elucidate the effect of a pellet feed containing fermented proteins on pond-raised Chinese mitten crabs, Eriocheir sinensis in a 7-month crab feeding experiment in Gucheng Lake, Jiangsu province, China. The results showed that fermented protein could significantly increase mean weight gain, crab size and total yield compared with control group. Moreover, the mean weight of male crabs and the number of large-sized male crabs improved over those of the control group. However, feed efficiency ratio did not differ significantly between the two groups. The amino acid content in the muscles of the female crabs of both the groups was higher than that in the muscles of the male crabs. The present study suggests that fermented compound protein may be one kind of potential protein sources for E. sinensis .