Effectiveness of Juvenile in Controlling and Their Growth and Nutritional Response to Feeding on the Snail.

In recent years, has aggressively invaded rice fields in Asia, resulting in significant agricultural losses. Biological control can effectively reduce the damage caused by . This research evaluates as a biocontrol for , focusing on its feeding preferences and optimal control density on snails of three sizes, as well as the effects on the nutritional quality of juvenile crabs post consumption. Our findings reveal that juvenile exhibit a strong preference for feeding on small snails, effectively managing populations at densities of 600 snails per tank. Crab feeding significantly reduces the survival and activity of snails. Furthermore, consumption of meat alters the crabs' physiology. Female crabs show elevated levels of molting hormones, total energy yield (TEY), and condition factor (CF), while males demonstrate increased lipid, moisture, and TEY levels. The amino acid profiles shift, with higher isoleucine and leucine levels in female hepatopancreas and reduced histidine in the muscles. Notably, the total Σn-3 PUFA content in female muscles fed on snail meat exceeds that of those given commodity grain. This study underscores the dual benefits of employing juvenile for managing while enhancing crab farming practices.