Improved Flowing Water Apparatus for the Culture of Brachyuran Crab Larvae

Abstract

A flowing water system is described for culture of brachyuran crab larvae. This system, which is suitable for toxicant exposure studies, employs a flow reversal principle, and a minimal area of screen placed low on the side of the culture containers. The design minimizes the problem of larval entrapment in water exit screens. Survival of Cancer magister zoeae in rearing tests lasting up to 60 days compared favorably with survivals obtained previously using static culture methods.