Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Environment
Why in News?
Recently, Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Institute of Brackish water Aquaculture (ICAR‑CIBA), Chennai successfully demonstrated India’s first Blue Swimmer Crab farming technology.
- Common Names – Blue swimmer crab, blue manna crab, flower crab.
- Scientific Name – Portunus reticulatus.
- Family – Portunidae (brachyuran crabs).
- Appearance – Hue of blue colour, Flat, disc‑shaped hind legs adapted as paddles for swimming; nine spikes along carapace near eyes.
- Distribution – Widely found in Indo‑Pacific (Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, China, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, India, Singapore).
- In India, dominant fisheries at Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar.
- Diet – Bivalves, fish, and macroalgae during high tide.
Key Characteristics
- Stays in burrows under sand/mud during daytime and winter, has high tolerance to ammonium/ammonia.
- Cannibalism – Lower compared to other brackishwater crabs (suitable for farming).
Aquaculture Technology Package (ICAR‑CIBA)
- Seed Production – Standardized hatchery protocols, short production cycle comparable to shrimp farming.
- Feed – Formulated pelleted feed branded as BSCrabPlus.
- Farming Practices – Nursery rearing and grow‑out culture at 1 crab/m² stocking density.
- Outcome – Marketable crabs harvested in 105 days; revenue handed to beneficiaries under Scheduled Caste Sub‑Plan.
Reference
PIB | Blue swimmer crab
