Effect of temperature stress on the survival of juvenile Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Abstract

Eriocheir sinensis is belongs to Crustacea, which is an important aquaculture specie. To discuss the temperature tolerance of Eriocheir sinensis, the survival rate of juvenile crabs of Eriocheir sinensis was determined in this paper by a series of temperature setting (normal temperature, 25°C, 30°C, 32°C, 34°C, 35°C, 36°C, 38°C, 40 °C). The results indicated that except the normal temperature level, mortality rate almost reached 100% for other temperature. Time of all crabs death of 30℃, 35℃, 40℃ was different. Only 10 minutes all crabs died for 40℃ level, while 3 days and 7 days for 35 ℃ and 30℃ respectively. In addition to normal temperature condition, minimum survival time of the juvenile crabs of Eriocheir sinensis at other temperature condition were no more than 24 h. Before the 8th day, the death case of 30℃ and normal temperature was different, change of turning slope for concentration of NH3-N and TN was contrary. Under normal temperature, the behavior of abdomen extension was not observed in juvenile crabs but the percentage time of abdomen extension was relatively long at 25℃. This research studies the influence of temperature stress on the survival of juvenile crabs of Eriocheir sinensis in expectation of providing reference for the production and transportation of juvenile crab of Eriocheir sinensis.