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To explore energy utilization during molting stage, matured and juvenile red claw crayfish were selected to determine changes in lipid composition and fatty acid contents of hepatopancreas. Moreover, the expression of the fatty acid binding protein (FABP) gene was determined to verify changes of fatty acids at the molecular level. Results showed that after molting, the crude lipid content was significantly lower than before molting (p <.05). Among them, the triglyceride content in the hepatopancreas showed no significant differences both before and after molting. The cholesterol content only increased significantly after the matured red claw crayfish had molted. Phospholipids of matured red claw crayfish decreased significantly after molting, but increased significantly after molting in juvenile (p <.05). Saturated fatty acid content did not differ significantly before and after molting in matured red claw crayfish, while it increased after molting in juveniles. The monounsaturated fatty acid content increased, while polyunsaturated fatty acid content decreased significantly after molting (p <.05). The expression of FABP was consistent with the phospholipids change trend of both matured and juvenile red claw crayfish, which may be the molecular indicator of phospholipids during the molting stage. The specific lipid metabolism pathway still needs further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]