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| Vertically Raised Mud Crabs in Singapore |
Vertical farming of Mud crabs, Scylla spp has commenced in Singapore by Gills ‘N’ Claws Aquaculture to reduce the
country mud crab importation from Sri Lanka and boost local production. Recently,
Singapore has imported 5,100 MT of crabs in just eleven months which costs
about $30 per kilogram.
Mud crabs have large sizes and delicate flavour. They
are highly sought-after seafood items that command high market prices in China,
Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Philippines and Australia. Mud crabs, also called mangrove
crabs are found in estuaries and coasts of tropical, subtropical and warm
temperate regions. Common species of mud crabs include Scylla serrata, Scylla
olivacea, Scylla tranquebarica and Scylla paramamosain
however
Scylla paramamosain is the most important species for aquaculture.
Vertical farming system in Singapore involves
raising each crab in a vertically-stacked, A3-sized plastic container where
water is sprinkled continually. Mud Crabs from hatchery at 4 months weighing
400g each are transferred to the vertical system where they are nurtured until
they attain marketable size of 800g – 1kg each in about seven weeks. Most
times, mud crabs are fed daily with a ground mixture of chicken liver and trash
fish.