Effect of the protein-lipids ratio on growth and maturation of the crayfish Procambarus (Austrocambarus) llamasi

The effect of six isocaloric diets with different protein (10%, 20% and 30%) and lipids (6% and 12%) contents was evaluated on growth and maturation of male and female juvenile P. llamasi crayfish. The experiment was carried out using individual plastic chambers within a closed, recirculating system with constant temperature. After 90 days, specific growth rate (SGR) values were generally low for both sexes. Lowest SGR for females was 0.4 with diet D1 (10/6) and highest was 0.7 with diet D4 (20/12). The lowest SGR for males was 0.3 with diet D1 (10/6) and the highest was 0.6 with diet D4 (20/12). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) varied from 1.1 to 1.8, and survival was generally high (> 80%) for both sexes. The Maturation Index (MI) behaved in a similar way to the Gonadosomatic Index (GI), manifesting a close relationship with dietary protein and lipids contents. Diet had a significant effect on maturation in females. The effect of protein and lipids content was significant with a direct relationship between these values and the MI and GI. Diets with the highest protein content had the best GI and MI values and all diets with 12% lipids had better MI and GI values than diets with 6%. Unlike the growth performance, the best maturation results were produced by the 30/12 diet. Based on the different observed effects of the diets on growth and maturation, it is recommended the use of a 20/12 diet for growth and a 30/12 diet for maturation.