Artificial Incubation and Juvenile Cultivation Strategies for Cherax quadricarinatus : Microbial Dynamics and Greenhouse Pond Optimization

To address key issues in the breeding and aquaculture of Cherax quadricarinatus , two experiments were conducted based on existing research. The first experiment investigated the effects of four disinfection methods on the microbial community and diversity indices on the surface of isolated embryos, with three replicates per group. Previous studies were summarized to establish a protocol for artificial incubation. Results showed that treatments with essential oil‐based solutions and formaldehyde achieved the best disinfection effects, effectively reducing harmful bacteria while maintaining higher microbial diversity. Using the established artificial incubation protocol, a total of 550 egg‐holding crayfish were used, and a total of 90,142 juveniles were hatched, with a hatching rate of 91.04 ± 1.91% and a survival rate of 60.65 ± 6.77%. The second experiment examined the cultivation of large‐sized juveniles in a pond greenhouse, focusing on release modes, densities, and culture areas, with three replicates per group. Survival rates did not differ significantly between the staged culture mode (66.69 ± 8.84%) and the direct free‐range mode (62.71 ± 14.15%). However, the survival rate at a density of 10,000 tail/667 m 2 group was significantly higher than that at 20,000 tail/667 m 2 group. The smaller‐area group (133 m 2 ) had a survival rate of 62.71%–66.69%, whereas the larger‐area group (400 m 2 ) had a survival rate of only 48.43%–58.86%. In conclusion, essential oil‐based solutions or formaldehyde are recommended as disinfectants, while cultivation area (133 m 2 ) and lower stocking density are important for improving juvenile survival. These findings can contribute to the development of breeding and aquaculture of C. quadricarinatus .