Mud Crab Genus Scylla Broodstock Culture: Current Challenges and the Potential of a Hybrid Specific Pathogen Free Approach.
- 1Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
- 2Sayap Jaya Sdn Bhd., No. 1-2Ab, Jalan Desa 1/3. Desa Aman Puri, 52100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract
Mud crab (genus Scylla) farming forms an integral part of coastal aquaculture in Asia region, with their cultivation supporting coastal livelihoods, driving economic growth through their high market demand and promoting mangrove forest conservation and environmental sustainability via mangrove ecosystem integration. However, instability in the production chain, especially the early stages from broodstock cultivation to larval rearing and crablet, promoted the continued reliance on wild-caught broodstock. Such reliance on wild-caught broodstock introduces significant biosecurity risks, particularly through pathogen transmission and inconsistent reproductive performance. Current management selects mature females based on size and ovarian development, followed by acclimation and prophylactic formalin baths to mitigate bacterial and fungal infections. This review examines the biosecurity risks of relying on wild broodstock and proposes a practical "hybrid" approach that combines the innate immune resilience of wild populations with Specific Pathogen Free (SPF)-like conditions to enhance disease resistance, reproductive success and overall production sustainability. Nutritional strategies employ high-protein feeds, such as fish and bivalves, to enhance ovarian maturation, but untreated wild-caught feeds heighten pathogen transmission risks. By quarantine, disinfection and microbiome management protocol, pathogen load can be reduced while innate immunity can be improved.
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BibTeX
@article{siang2026crab,
title = {{Mud Crab Genus Scylla Broodstock Culture: Current Challenges and the Potential of a Hybrid Specific Pathogen Free Approach.}},
author = {Sor Chin Siang and Chiar Yu Shan and Hanafiah Fazhan and Khor Waiho},
journal = {Tropical life sciences research},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.21315/tlsr2026.37.3.1},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42997884},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Mud Crab Genus Scylla Broodstock Culture: Current Challenges and the Potential of a Hybrid Specific Pathogen Free Approach.
AU - Sor Chin Siang
AU - Chiar Yu Shan
AU - Hanafiah Fazhan
AU - Khor Waiho
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Tropical life sciences research
DO - 10.21315/tlsr2026.37.3.1
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42997884
AB - Mud crab (genus Scylla) farming forms an integral part of coastal aquaculture in Asia region, with their cultivation supporting coastal livelihoods, driving economic growth through their high market demand and promoting mangrove forest conservation and environmental sustainability via mangrove ecosystem integration. However, instability in the production chain, especially the early stages from broodstock cultivation to larval rearing and crablet, promoted the continued reliance on wild-caught broodstock. Such reliance on wild-caught broodstock introduces significant biosecurity risks, particularly through pathogen transmission and inconsistent reproductive performance. Current management selects mature females based on size and ovarian development, followed by acclimation and prophylactic formalin baths to mitigate bacterial and fungal infections. This review examines the biosecurity risks of relying on wild broodstock and proposes a practical "hybrid" approach that combines the innate immune resilience of wild populations with Specific Pathogen Free (SPF)-like conditions to enhance disease resistance, reproductive success and overall production sustainability. Nutritional strategies employ high-protein feeds, such as fish and bivalves, to enhance ovarian maturation, but untreated wild-caught feeds heighten pathogen transmission risks. By quarantine, disinfection and microbiome management protocol, pathogen load can be reduced while innate immunity can be improved.
SN - 1985-3718
SN - 2180-4249
ER -