Feeding Behaviour of Mud Crab Scylla serrata: A Comprehensive Review

Krishna Bellala

Bellala Krishna Lecturer in Zoology, Government Degree College (W), Marripalem, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The mud crab Scylla serrata is a commercially valuable portunid crab widely distributed throughout the Indo–West Pacific region. Its feeding behaviour plays a critical role in growth, survival, reproductive success, and ecosystem functioning, and is central to successful aquaculture and fattening practices. This review synthesizes available literature on the feeding habits, diet composition, feeding mechanisms, ontogenetic and sex-related variations, environmental influences, and feeding behaviour under captive conditions. Comparative tables summarize natural diets, feeding preferences, and behavioural patterns across life stages and habitats. Understanding the trophic ecology of S. serrata is essential for optimizing feed formulation, improving culture efficiency, and managing wild stocks sustainably.

Keywords: Scylla serrata, Feeding Behavior, Growth, Survival

References

1. Hill BJ. Natural food, foregut clearance rate and activity of the crab Scylla serrata. Mar Biol. 1976;34:109–116.
2. Robertson AI. Diet and feeding behaviour of Scylla serrata in a tropical mangrove system. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci. 1986;23:387–394.
3. Heasman MP, Fielder DR. Laboratory spawning and mass rearing of the mangrove crab Scylla serrata. Aquaculture. 1983;34:303–316.
4. Williams MJ. The feeding ecology of mangrove crabs. Asian Fish Sci. 1982;5:27–37.
5. Hill BJ, Wassenberg TJ. Feeding behaviour of the portunid crab Scylla serrata. Aust J Mar Freshw Res. 1990;41:127–134.
6. Sivasubramaniam K, Angell C. Observations on feeding and growth of Scylla serrata. J Natl Sci Counc Sri Lanka. 1992;20:153–162.
7. Cannicci S, et al. Feeding habits of crabs in mangrove ecosystems. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. 2008;359:151–162.
8. Islam MS, Kader MA. Feeding ecology of mud crab Scylla serrata. Bangladesh J Fish Res. 2005;9:17–25.
9. Kasim HM. Predatory behaviour of Scylla serrata. Indian J Fish. 1991;38:89–93.
10. Baylon JC. Larval rearing and feeding of mud crab Scylla serrata. Aquac Res. 2010;41:1496–1504.
11. Zeng C, Li S. Effects of diet on megalopa survival and development of Scylla serrata. Aquaculture. 1999;178:245–255.
12. Shelley C, Lovatelli A. Mud crab aquaculture: A practical manual. FAO Fish Tech Pap. 2011;567:1–78.
13. Nurdiani R, Zeng C. Effects of temperature and salinity on feeding and survival of juvenile Scylla serrata. Aquaculture. 2007;273:569–577.
14. Le Vay L. Ecology and behaviour of mangrove crabs. Hydrobiologia. 2001;449:243–255.
15. Minh NP, et al. Feeding management of mud crab in fattening systems. Aquac Asia. 2001;6:26–30.
16. Catacutan MR. Growth and body composition of Scylla serrata fed different diets. Aquaculture. 2002;204:99–110.
17. Thirunavukkarasu N, et al. Utilization of shrimp waste as feed for mud crab. AquacNutr. 2014;20:326–333.
18. Alberts-Hubatsch H, et al. Formulated diets for mud crab culture. Aquaculture. 2015;448:197–206.
19. Overton JL, Macintosh DJ. Reducing cannibalism in mud crab culture. Aquaculture. 2002;207:179–192.