Haemolymphatic parameters in two aquaculture crustacean species Cherax destructor (Clark, 1836) and Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868)

The growing demand for animal proteins of aquatic origin such as fish, molluscs and crustaceans have prompted some European and Italian companies to focus their attention on some species of freshwater crustaceans such as Cherax destructor and Cherax quadricarinatus. They are among the largest freshwater decapods, matures early, females can lay over a thousand eggs in a single brood and has a broad environmental tolerance. All these characteristics make it highly appreciated species for aquaculture and few years ago their breeding has spread to Europe and recently also in Italy (Sicily). Although some commercial yabby farms have been studied these species from different points of view (dietary supplementation, growth, environmental condition), to date no one has analysed the basic cellular and biochemical parameters of the haemolymph of these two species under standard farming conditions. Information about their hemolymphatics parameters is fragmentary and filling these gaps becomes important for breeding. Cellular and biochemical parameters were analysed in both species to create a reference baseline to identify the state of welfare or suffering of these animals. The results showed that total haemocytes count, haemocytes subpopulations, enzymatic activities and pH are similar between the two species while total protein and osmolality are higher in C. destructor respect to C. quadricarinatus. The knowledge of these parameters could be useful to evaluate the good health status of these species kept in aquaculture facilities.