Effects of Three Feeding Modes on the Gonad Development and Nutritional Quality of the Female Crab Portunus trituberculatus

Abstract

Portunus trituberculatus is an important aquaculture species in China. Presently, three main feeding models are used for P. trituberculatus: complete feeding with commercial formulated feed (M1), mixed feeding with commercial formulated feed and trash fish (M2) and complete feeding with trash fish (M3). This study assessed the gonad development and nutritional quality of female P. trituberculatus under the three feeding models and provides a scientific basis for optimizing the feeding models of P. trituberculatus in the future. Overall, this study concluded that hypoplasia of gonads, and the biochemical, fatty acid, and amino acid composition in the gonads, hepatopancreas, and muscle of P. trituberculatus fed with the commercial formulated diet were poor. The mixed feeding with the commercial formulated diet and trash fish was an ideal feeding mode. This mode not only alleviates the dependence of the P. trituberculatus breeding industry on miscellaneous fish resources but also ensures the excellent quality of P. trituberculatus.