Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Feedback from local redclaw supplier - ready in a few weeks at $1 each, size unknown, but not juveniles.

A piece of info that might be useful that I found today - males grow out quicker than females, so if you have too many juveniles and can't offload them, cull/eat the females first...

Rodgers L.J., Saoud P.I., Rouse D.B., 2006, The effects of monosex culture and stocking density on survival, growth and yield of redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) in earthen ponds, Aquaculture 259, Elsevier.

Abstract
Sexual dimorphism is apparent in redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, with males typically being larger than females and possessing prominent claws with a distinctive red patch. An experiment was developed to determine if there were advantages to rearing male or female redclaw crayfish at two densities in monosex cultures as opposed to traditional stocking of mixed-sex populations. Juvenile redclaw crayfish (9.6 g average weight) were acquired from commercial suppliers in Mexico. Animals were individually hand-sexed and stocked into 0.02 ha ponds and maintained for 145 days. Treatments were males at densities of 4 or 6 m−2, females at 4 or 6 m−2, or mixed-sex at 6 m−2, used as a control. Each treatment had four replicates. The animals were offered a commercial shrimp diet. The ration was calculated assuming a weekly growth rate of 2 g and a feed conversion ratio of 1.5. At harvest male crayfish were significantly larger than females. In the male ponds, crayfish had a mean weight of 83.6 g while in the female ponds crayfish had a mean weight of 59.1 g. Survival and gross yields were not significantly different among the treatments. Average weight of crayfish in low-density culture (76.8 g) was significantly larger than average weight in highdensity (59.3 g) culture.

Another interesting fact about RedClaw.... they can be self-harvested by using their natural instincts...

Let the water drain slowly from the pond/tank and when it's shallow enough set up a big tub in the middle.

Fill the tub with water and let the water run over until it flows down a ramp and out into the pond/tank.

It's a natural instinct for the redclaw to travel upstream so with the water level falling, they march up the ramp and fall into the tub at the end!

Here's a "commercial" flow-trap used in redclaw ponds...


And here's a closer look at one I took while up at NatFish.... tray is lined with carpet... to give the redclaw something to grip.... and a hose runs water down it.... redclaw march right up and into the tubs

Anybody know where I can get Cassava? It has been used as redclaw feed on some farms here in Australia and has worked well... It grows in poor conditions and does not seem to need much attention. It would be ideal to plant to use as redclaw feed, especially as the leaves can be eaten as well

Your thread contains over 900 posts. Impressive.
though I am eager to read it all, I must restrain myself: that will have to wait till winter.

would it be possible to point at the pages on this subject?
I am right now equipping IBC containers for raising crayfish.

frank

Re Cassava,,I'd be checking on the health reports.

http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.as ... able+chips

same as everything, moderation

AM, we've got some cassava, the plants might be big enough to take cuttings from in about 6 months. Let me know.

yet another reason for a visit to rockville - I mean townsville

I wonder if it has to do with the processing or the environmental factors (all the poofy stuff)... so many parts of the world eat that stuff EVERY DAY and no ill effects...

I'm looking for an article about growth rate of red claw. I would like to know the normal size from juveniles to harvest size month by month.

Please share if you have it.

Thanks in advance.

Depends on a thousand variables.