Haimei Wang

Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Marine Science, 2026, Vol. 16, No. 2   
Received: 27 Jan., 2026    Accepted: 06 Mar., 2026    Published: 19 Mar., 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Feeding management is one of the most important factors influencing the growth performance, feed utilization, and economic efficiency of mud crab (Scylla spp.) aquaculture. This paper reviews the effects of different feeding regimes on mud crab growth performance by examining feeding frequency, feeding time, feeding level, feed type, and feeding strategy. Mud crabs exhibit unique growth characteristics associated with molting, which require precise nutritional support and feeding management. Appropriate feeding frequencies and multiple daily feeding events can improve weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion efficiency, and survival rate by enhancing feed intake and reducing nutrient loss. Feeding time also affects feeding behavior, with nighttime feeding generally showing advantages due to the nocturnal feeding habits of mud crabs. In addition, suitable feeding levels promote optimal growth and economic returns, whereas overfeeding and underfeeding may negatively affect water quality, feed efficiency, and crab health. The interaction between feed types and feeding strategies further influences production outcomes, with integrated approaches combining formulated feeds and fresh feeds often providing superior results. Case studies demonstrate that scheduled feeding, high-frequency low-quantity feeding, and intelligent precision-feeding systems can significantly enhance culture performance. Future research should focus on precision feeding technologies, automated monitoring systems, and sustainable feeding strategies to improve productivity and environmental sustainability in mud crab aquaculture.

Mud crab; Feeding regime; Growth performance; Feed utilization; Precision aquaculture