Effect of density and shelter on growth, physiology, and biochemical composition of the crayfish Cambarellus montezumae.

We analyzed the combined effects of population density and presence or absence of shelters on growth and physiological performance of the crayfishCambarellus montezumae. Three different densities—64, 144, and 208 crayfish per m2—with and without shelters were used. Growth; survival; metabolic rate; tissue glucose; and total lipid, triglyceride, nitrogen, and energy content were measured. Animals stocked at 64 and 144 per m2with shelter reached the highest body weight; those in groups without shelter had elevated levels of glucose (p < .05). Animals stocked at 144 per m2retained the most nitrogen and energy (p < .05). Overall, the combination of medium density with shelters produced the best performance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]