Survival of Red Deepsea Crab Chaceon Quinquedens Smith, 1879, Larvae in Cultivation: Effects of Diet and Temperature

Increased interest in the commercial harvest of the red deepsea crab Chaceon quinquedens has been stimulated by declines in other highly targeted crustacean species (lobsters, king crab, etc.).  Little is known about this species’ general biology, especially conditions required for larval development.  Ovigerous females were obtained from commercial traps and transported to the NOAA James J. Howard Laboratory, NJ; to acquire their first stage zoea larvae.  This study addresses the combined effects of temperature (9 °C and 15 °C) and diet (rotifers, Artemia sp., algae, and unfed) treatments on larval development and survival.  Two temperature tanks held 10 buckets each, respectively containing three cylindrical containers (750 ml) with capacity for 10 larvae.  Larvae were fed daily.  Survival and development assessments were conducted daily by counting all live larvae and classifying developmental stages of the dead.  Tanks temperature, molting, feeding concentrations, and salinity were also monitored.  A significant effect of temperature and diet on larvae survival (p < 0.0001) was observed.  Rotifers produced higher survival and development rates at both temperatures. Elucidating information for optimal growth conditions will facilitate further research to better understand the ecology, fishery, and impacts of climate change in their life history.