distribution and potential culture of introduced crayfish

Distribution and Potential Culture of Introduced Crayfish Cherax

quadricarinatus (von Martens 1868) in Malaysia

Awangku Shahrir Naqiuddin Awg Suhaili

Faculty of Resourde Science & Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

2020

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DECLARATION

I declare that the work in this thesis was carried out in accordance with the regulations of

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Except where due acknowledgements have been made, the

work is that of the author alone. The thesis has not been accepted for any degree and is not

concurrently submitted in candidature of any other degree.

_________________________

Name: Awangku Shahrir Naqiuddin

Matric No.: 14010178

Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Date: 5th February 2020

ii

DEDICATION

The work in this thesis is dedicated to my beloved parents

&

beacons of my life (Deng, Naim Boy and Chembondak Arif )

iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful”

All praises to Allah for giving me the strength and ease me along the way in

completing this Doctor of Philosophy dissertation. No words can describe my gratitude

towards my supervisor, Associate Prof. Dr. Khairul Adha A. Rahim for his guidance

throughout my study.

A hearty dedication full of love and gratefulness is expressed to my parents; Hj. Awg

Suhaili b. Hj Awg. Dris and Hjh. Bibi Nadzahat binti Rahmat Ali Khan for their

unconditional love and everlasting support, and the love of my life; Fatimah A'tirah that

provided me strength whenever I doubt myself.

Sincere appreciation is dedicated to Ministry of Education Malaysia for financial

support through Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (No. FRGS/STWN04 (01)/1062/2013

(08) and schlolarship via MyBrain15 programme, wihout these supports the study would not

be completed susscessfully. I also wish to thank the Faculty of Resource Science and

Technology for facilities and all laboratory assistants for their helps.

iv

ABSTRACT

The redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens 1868) was introduced from

Australia into Malaysia in 1990 for aquaculture at Kluang, Johor. Feral population of the

redclaw crayfish was first recorded in the Parit Sulong, Johor in Peninsular Malaysia and in

Bintulu, Sarawak in 2012. Since then, there were no records on feral redclaw crayfish

population although redclaw culture facilities increases in number. The current study aimed

to document the distribution of feral redclaw crayfish population and culture facilities

throughout Malaysia. Field survey and interview was conducted in 29 different locations.

Feral redclaw crayfish was recorded in Machap Dam and Benut River (Johor), Ayer Keroh

Lake and Timun River (Melaka), Puchong Perdana Lake in Selangor and streams in

WILMAR Plantation of Suai, Sarawak. An online search in the Facebook advertising

platform showed that there are 24 redclaw culture facilities throughout Malaysia. To study

the effects of redclaw crayfish on fish composition and water quality, a case study was

conducted in Suai, Sarawak. A total of 136 redclaw crayfish individuals were recorded out

of 295 of total individuals collected throughout the sampling period. Correlation analysis

showed no significant relationship between redclaw crayfish number with fish composition

in the area. The current study also aimed to determine the performance of the redclaw

crayfish culture including the return of investment percentage. Three (3) vertical cylinder

type tanks with 0.5 m radius and area of 0.8 m2 were used as replicates. Each tanks consists

of 40 juvenile crayfish and fed ad libitum thrice daily using commercial white shrimp feed.

The redclaw crayfish with sizes of 0.37g can reach to an average size of 30g in eight months

in an outdoor tank culture system with 60.8% survival rate. The return of investment in the

reclaw culture was 67.3%. The use of substrate to enhance redclaw culture performance was

v

also conducted. The use of silt, sand and plastic mesh as substrates recorded higher final

weight compared to the ones reared without any substrate. Redclaw crayfish reared with

substrate containing 5.7% OM have significantly higher final weight, compared with the

ones reared in substrates containing OM% lower than 2.6%.

Keywords: Crayfish, invasive species, distribution, ecology, culture.

vi

Taburan dan Potensi Akuakultur Spesies Asing Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens

1868) di Malaysia

ABSTRAK

Udang kara air tawar Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens 1868) pada mulanya telah

diperkenalkan di Malaysia pada tahun 1990 bagi tujuan akuakultur di Kluang, Johor.

Populasi udang kara feral pertama kali direkod di Parit Sulong, Johor di Semenanjung

Malaysia dan di Bintulu, Sarawak sejak 2012. Sejak itu, tiada rekod mengenai populasi

udang kara walaupun bilangan kultur spesies ini semakin bertambah. Kajian ini bertujuan

untuk mendokumentasi taburan populasi udang kara di habitat liar dan juga lokasi ternakan

spesies ini dalam Malaysia. Kajian lapangan dan temuduga dijalankan di 29 lokasi yang

berbeza. Populasi udang kara telah direkod di Empangan Machap dan Sungai Benut

(Johor), Tasik Ayer Keroh dan Sungai Timun (Melaka), Tasik Puchong Perdana di Selangor

dan anak-anak sungai di WILMAR Plantation di Suai, Sarawak. Carian di platform

pengiklanan Facebook menunjukkan terdapat 24 buah perusahaan udang kara di Malaysia.

Untuk mengkaji kesan udang kara terhadap komposisi ikan, suatu kajian kes telah

dijalankan di Suai, Sarawak. Sebanyak 136 udang kara telah direkod daripada jumlah

keseluruhan 295 ekor tangkapan sepanjang tempoh kajian. Analisi korelasi menunjukkan

tidak terdapat hubungan yang signifikan di antara jumlah udang kara dengan komposisi

ikan di kawasan tersebut. Kajian ini juga dijalankan untuk menentukan prestasi akuakultur

udang kara termasuk dengan pulangan pelaburan. Tiga (3) tangki silinder dengan jejari 0.5

m dan keluasan 0.8 m2 digunakan sebagai replikat. Setiap tangki mengandui 40 ekor judang

kara juvenile dan diberi makan secara ad libitum tiga kali sehari menggunakan makanan

komersial udang putih. Udang kara bersaiz 0.37g boleh mencecah saiz purata 30g dalam

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lapan bulan di dalam sistem penternakan tangki dan mencapai kadar hidup sebanyak

60.8%. Pulangan pelaburan dalam penternakan udang kara adalah sebanyak 67.3%.

Penggunaan substrat untuk meningkatkan prestasi penternakan juga dikaji. Udang kara

yang diternak dengan tambahan substrat daripada selut, pasir dan jaring plastik dapat

meningkatkan berat akhir udang kara berbanding udang yang tidak diternak tanpa

menggunakan substrat. Tambahan lagi, udang kara yang diternak dengan tambahan

substrat yang mengandungi 5.7% kandungan bahan organik mempunya berat akhir yang

lebih tinggi berbanding udang kara yang diternak dengan tambahan substrat dengan

peratus bahan organik yang lebih rendah daripada 2.6%.

Kata kunci: Udang kara, spesies invasif, taburan, ekologi, kultur.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pages

DECLARATION i

DEDICATION ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii

ABSTRACT iv

ABSTRAK vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS viii

LIST OF TABLES xiii

LIST OF FIGURES xv

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xviii

CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Biological invasion and their impacts 1

1.2 Literature Review 5

1.2.1 Crayfish Invasion 5

1.2.2 The Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus von Martens 1868) 13

1.2.2.1 Classification and Morphology of Cherax quadricarinatus 13

1.2.2.2 Distribution and Habitat 16

1.2.2.3 Reproduction 17

1.2.2.4 Feeding preference 18

1.2.2.5 Behavior and Social Hierarchy 19

1.2.3 Aquaculture of redclaw crayfish 20

1.2.3.1 Redclaw culture in Australia 24

ix

1.2.3.2 Survival 25

1.2.3.3 Growth 26

1.2.3.4 Redclaw in Malaysia: Aquaculture and policy 27

1.3 Thesis Outline 29

CHAPTER 2: THE SPREAD OF Cherax quadricarinatus IN MALAYSIA 31

2.1 Introduction 31

2.1.1 Objectives 33

2.2 Materials and Methods 33

2.2.1 Distribution in Malaysian Aquatic Ecosystem 34

2.2.2 Distribution of Aquaculture Facilities Involved in Redclaw Crayfish

Culture and Trade

37

2.2.3 Case Study: Redclaw Crayfish in Suai, Sarawak 37

2.2.3.1 Sampling Stations 37

2.2.3.2 Specimen Collection 39

2.2.3.3 Water Quality 39

2.2.3.4 Ecological Indices 40

2.3.3.5 Relationship Between Redclaw Crayfish and Fish Community 41

2.3 Results 42

2.3.1 Distribution in Malaysian Aquatic Ecosystem 42

2.3.2 Distribution of Redclaw Culture Facilities 46

2.3.3 Case Study: Redclaw Crayfish in Suai, Sarawak 50


2.3.3.2 Fish Fauna Composition 53

x

2.3.3.3 Relationship between Redclaw Crayfish with Fish Community 60

2.4 Discussion 62

2.5 Conclusion 67

CHAPTER 3: GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF Cherax

quadricarinatus IN INTENSIVE CULTURE SYSTEM

69

3.1 Introduction 69

3.1.1 Objectives 70


3.2.1 Culture Stock 71

3.2.2 Culture experiment 71

3.2.3 Water Quality 72

3.2.4 Economic Viability 73

3.3 Results 74

3.3.1 Growth 74

3.3.2 Weight Gain Percentage 75

3.3.3 Specific Growth Rate 76

3.3.4 Survival 77

3.3.5 Food Conversion Ratio 78


3.3.7 Economic Viability 79

3.4 Discussion 82

3.5 Conclusion 87

xi

CHAPTER 4: PERFORMANCE OF Cherax quadricarinatus REARED

WITH THE ADDITION OF SUBSTRATE

88

4.1 Introduction 88

4.1.1 Objectives 90


4.2.1 Experiment 1: Performance of Juvenile Redclaw Crayfish Reared

with Different Substrates

91


with Substrate Containing Different Percentage of Organic Matter

Content

91

4.2.2.1 Substrate preparation 92

4.2.3 Experiment 3: Survival Period of Starved Juvenile Redclaw

Crayfish Reared with Substrate Containing Different Percentage of

Organic Matter

94


4.2.5 Data Analysis 94

4.3 Results 95


with Different Substrate

95

4.3.1.1 Growth 95

4.3.1.2 Weight Gain Percentage 96

4.3.1.3 Specific Growth Rate 97

4.3.1.4 Survival 98

4.3.1.5 Food Conversion Ratio 99

xii



with Substrate Containing Different Percentage of Organic Matter

Content

101

4.2.3.1 Growth 101

4.2.3.2 Weight Gain Percentage 102

4.2.3.3 Specific Growth Rate 103

4.3.2.4 Survival 104

4.3.2.5 Food Conversion Ratio 105

4.3.3 Experiment 3: Survival Period of Starved Juvenile Redclaw

Crayfish Reared with Substrate Containing Different Percentage of

Organic Matter Content

106

4.4 Discussion 107

4.5 Conclusion 109

CHAPTER 5: GENERAL DISCUSSION 111

CHAPTER 6: GENERAL CONCLUSION 115

REFERENCES 117

APPENDICES 146

xiii

LIST OF TABLES

Pages

Table 1.1 List of native range, invasive range and ecological effects caused by

invasive crayfish.

6

Table 2.1 Global Positioning System (GPS) on the location of field survey. 35

Table 2.2 GPS Coordinate, Width, Depth and description of sampling

stations.

38

Table 2.3 Number of respondent and respondents feedback in every location

of field survey.

44

Table 2.4 List of facilities engaged in trading of the redclaw crayfish and the

Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of their webpage.

47

Table 2.5 Water Quality reading of each station for every sampling session. 52

Table 2.6 Fish and crayfish caught during the September 2014 sampling

session.

55

Table 2.7 Fish and crayfish caught during the March 2015 sampling session. 57

Table 2.8 Fish and crayfish caught during the May 2015 sampling session. 59

Table 2.9 Pearson’s correlation between the redclaw crayfish number with the

number of fish, biological indices, water quality parameters and fish

species.

60

Table 2.10 Pearson’s correlation between water quality parameters with

biological indices.

62

Table 2.11 Year of discovery, minimum duration of occurrence and distance of

redclaw crayfish population from the source of redclaw initial

introduction in Malaysia.

63

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Table 3.1 Water quality ± standard deviation (SD) in redclaw crayfish tank

culture.

79

Table 3.2 The cost, production, and profit of the redclaw crayfish tank culture. 81

Table 4.1 Formula used to obtain different OM% for experimental treatments. 92

Table 4.2 Water quality parameter ± standard deviation (SD) of juvenile

redclaw crayfish cultured with different substrates.

100

xv

LIST OF FIGURES

Pages

Figure 1.1 Major body parts of the redclaw crayfish. 15

Figure 1.2 Global aquaculture production of Cherax quadricarinatus. 20

Figure 2.1 Fraction of respondent’s responses type when presented with a

colour image of the redclaw crayfish.

42

Figure 2.2 Marked locations of field survey. 43

Figure 2.3 Fraction of fish and crayfish family in the study area. 53

Figure 2.4 Scatter plot showing the relationship between C.quadricarinatus

number with C. armatus number.

61

Figure 2.5 The difference of regression line, regression equation and r2 value

in the relationship between the redclaw crayfish number with C.

armatus number.

66

Figure 3.1 The weight (g) of redclaw crayfish in tank culture system. 74

Figure 3.2 The weight gain (%) of redclaw crayfish reared redclaw crayfish

in tank culture system.

75

Figure 3.3 The specific growth rate (% days-1) of redclaw crayfish in tank

culture system.

76

Figure 3.4 The survival percentage of redclaw crayfish in tank culture

system.

77

Figure 3.5 The FCR of redclaw crayfish in tank culture system. 78

Figure 3.6 Estimation on the duration needed of redclaw crayfish to reach 5g

and 15g body weight in the present culture system.

82

xvi

Figure 4.1 Weight (g) of juvenile redclaw crayfish cultured with different

substrates.

95

Figure 4.2 Weight gain (%) of juvenile redclaw crayfish cultured with

different substrates.

96

Figure 4.3 The specific growth rate (% days-1) of juvenile redclaw crayfish

cultured with different substrates.

97

Figure 4.4 The survival (%) of juvenile redclaw crayfish cultured with

different substrates.

98

Figure 4.5 The FCR of juvenile redclaw crayfish cultured with different

substrates.

99

Figure 4.6 Weight (g) of juvenile redclaw crayfish cultured with substrate

containing different levels of organic matter (0.3%, 2.6%, 3.9%

and 5.7%) and without substrate (control).

101

Figure 4.7 Weight gain (%) of juvenile redclaw crayfish cultured with

substrate containing different levels of organic matter (0.3%,

2.6%, 3.9% and 5.7%) and without substrate (control).

102

Figure 4.8 Specific growth rate (% days-1) of juvenile redclaw crayfish

cultured with substrate containing different levels of organic

matter (0.3%, 2.6%, 3.9% and 5.7%) and without substrate

(control).

103

Figure 4.9 Survival (%) of juvenile redclaw crayfish cultured with substrate



105

xvii

Figure 4.10 The FCR of juvenile redclaw redclaw crayfish cultured with

substrate containing different levels of organic matter (0.3%,

2.6%, 3.9% and 5.7%) and without substrate (control).

105

Figure 4.11 Survival time of starved juvenile redclaw crayfish cultured



106

xviii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

mm Millimetre

cm Centimetre

g Gram

mg/L Miligram per litre

ind./m2 Number of individual per meter square

ºC Degree celcius

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

µS/cm-1 microsiemens/centimeter

% Percentage

DO Dissolved Oxygen

SD Standard Deviation

S Number of Species

d Species Richness index

J’ Species Evenness index

H’ Species Diversity index

OM% Organic matter content percentage

1

CHAPTER 1

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Biological Invasion and Their Impacts

According to The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), invasive alien species

is "a species that was introduced outside its natural distribution, and its introduction/spread

can threaten biological diversity". Additionally, introduced species can be classified as non-

native or alien species. In contrast, native species can be defined as “a species that, other

than as a result of an introduction, historically occurred or currently occurs in that

ecosystem” (Executive Order 13112, 1999). The establishment of a self-sustaining

population of alien species outside its natural range are termed as biological invasion or

bioinvasion. Alien species invasion is considered as one of the biggest threats to biodiversity

(Moyle and Leidy, 1992; Chandra and Gerhardt, 2008; Peh, 2010).

Biological invasions are a pervasive global change and have affected both terrestrial

and aquatic ecosystems. Although initial attention on the effects of bioinvasion was focused

on terrestrial habitats, the same attention was given to aquatic habitats following the species

extinction in freshwater ecosystem (Master, 1990; Ricciardi and Rasmussen, 1999).

Although anthropogenic factors such land development, agriculture, deforestation, urban

sewage and wastewaters have been known to cause habitat degradation and hydrologic

alterations on the freshwater ecosystems, the introduction of non-native species have

increasingly contributed and recognized as a significant factor to the extinction of freshwater

fauna (Dudgeon et al., 2006; Cucherousset et al., 2011; Khairul Adha et al., 2013).

2

In general invasive alien species were recorded to cause problems such as increasing

predation on native species, outcompeting native species for resources such as food and

habitat, modification of habitat and natural food web, introduction of diseases and parasites,

overcrowding and stunting, genetic degradation, reduced biodiversity and even extinction of

native species (Yan et al., 2001; Zaiko et al., 2006; Meyerson and Mooney, 2007; Chandra

and Gerhardt, 2008; Peh, 2010; Ficetola et al. 2012; Freedman et al., 2012; Lucy and Panov,

2014).

The negative effects of invasive alien species is far reaching as it affects ecosystem

processes which are fundamental to human beings such as loss of drinking water, fishing

gears, natural products and aesthetical value (Colautti et al., 2006; Khairul Adha, 2012).

Many studies on biological invasion have been recorded throughout the world. This have

alerted many shareholders including scientist, policy-makers and the society, thus generated

a lot of research and publications. Most of the studies about biological invasion have been

focusing on the causes of biological invasion and the impacts of invasions (Lowry et al.,

2013).

One important case of biological invasion is the invasion of Asian carps such as grass

carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), silver carp

(Hypophthalmichthys molotrix), bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and black carp

(Mylopharyngodon piceus) in the United States of America (Zambrano et al., 2006). These

species have been introduced to the United States for various reasons including aquaculture,

biological control of submerged aquatic vegetation and improve water quality of aquaculture

ponds (Chick and Pegg, 2001). The population of the Asian carp have increased and

3

consequently caught the attention of the White House. In 2010, President Barrack Obama

convened the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC) which include more

than 20 local agencies of different levels and a fund of USD 104 million to prevent the spread

of Asian carps into the Great Lakes (Hinterthuer, 2012).

The Asian carps have the potential to cause depletion of zooplankton and

phytoplankton population, invertebrates and macrophytes in their new habitat (Bain, 1993;

Freedman et al., 2012; Sass et al., 2014). For an instance, the filter feeding activity of the

bighead and silver carp have increased pressure on zooplankton population and consequently

intensify competition with native planktivores fish, fish larva and mussels (Laird and Page,

1996). This have caused the decline in body condition of two native species in Mississippi

and Missouri such as the bigmouth buffalo Ictiobus cyprinellus, and gizzard shad Dorosoma

petenense post invasion of the bighead carp (Koel et al., 2000; Sampson et al., 2009).

The grazing of macrophyte by the grass carp have led to modification of the receiving

ecosystem such as reducing food sources, shelter and spawning substrates which affects the

most on organisms that require structured littoral habitats and food chains based on plant

matter (Taylor et al., 1984; Bain, 1993). Grass carp can consume up to 45kg of plant matter

daily and its heavy grazing activity combined with the deposit of fecal matter promotes algal

bloom, which lead to low dissolved oxygen levels due to decomposition of dead alga (Rose,

1972; Bain, 1993). Apart from altering food web and trophic structure of the receiving body,

the grass carp can also affect native species via predation and competition when plant food

is scarce (Chilton and Muoneke, 1992).

4

The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha have been documented to cause problems

in their receiving environment (Effler et al., 1996). In the United States of America, the

zebra mussels were believed to be introduced through ballast water of ships that have

travelled to Europe (Griffiths et al., 1991). The species have high reproduction rate due to

high fecundity, veliger larvae stage that enables fast diffusion and the presence of byssal

thread for firm attachments. Mussel density have been recorded to reach as high as

700,000/m and can exceed 10 times the biomass of other native benthic invertebrates

(Griffiths et al., 1991; Gherardi, 2007a). The attachment or biofouling of the zebra mussels

on hard substrates have reduced effectiveness and even damaged man-made structures such

as pipes, water filters and electrical plants; costing an estimated USD 5 billion/years’ worth

of damages and control costs by the year 2000 (Khalanski, 1997).

Apart from socio-economic impacts, the zebra mussels also mounted pressure in

competing with native mussel for seston and attachment space. The filter feeding activity of

the zebra mussel decreases phytoplankton biomass and increases water transparency, which

are favourable to larger aquatic plants such as macrophytes, periphyton, and benthic algae

(Effler et al., 1996). Apart from than, size-selective feeding on zooplankton also changes the

zooplankton population, which consequently changes the structure of the ecosystem (Effler

et al., 1996; Ricciardi et al., 1998). In short, the invasion of the zebra mussel have reduced

the production and consumerism in between pelagic and benthic by being more favourable

to the increase of benthic food webs. Indeed, the zebra mussel can affect all components of

the receiving water body and cause significant changes producer-consumer relationship

(Karatayev et al., 2002).

distribution and potential culture of introduced crayfish

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