Studies to establish an optimal diet for Carcinus maenas II. Protein and lipid requirements

Carcinus maenas (L.) was maintained on synthetic foods containing various proteins and lipids. Food quality was evaluated in terms of the crustacean's growth, duration of intermoult periods, and time of survival. Casein was found to be an adequate source of protein. Substituting amino acids or hydrolysates for casein results in reduced growth and delayed moults or absence of moulting. Animal proteins like casein are better suited than vegetable proteins. Correspondingly cod liver oil is more adequate than the vegetable lipid maize oil. The amount of salts and the pH-value also influence the quality of food-stuff for C. maenas.