The marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis ) is a unique freshwater crayfish species known for its reproduction through apomictic parthenogenesis, resulting in a monoclonal, all-female population. Widely distributed via the aquarium trade, these crayfish have established stable wild populations through human-induced releases, particularly in Madagascar, where they serve as a popular source of nutritional protein . In our previous work, we showed that that marbled crayfish meat can be readily integrated into Western diets as a healthy and nutritious protein component . Additionally, our analysis of marbled crayfish shells revealed high levels of chitin, a valuable raw material for bioplastics, which can be extracted through our proprietary biorefinery process.
With freshwater crayfish aquaculture in open systems posing substantial ecological challenges, there is a pressing need for alternatives. We have now developed a radically streamlined closed-system aquaculture setup that is specifically tailored to the robustness and resilience of marbled crayfish. It combines low water columns with biofloc culture to substantially reduce the requirements for water, energy, and traditional aquaculture feeds, while also minimizing the risk of scape into natural waterways . Our findings show that marbled crayfish can reach harvest size within 3 months in closed systems, making them a promising candidate for environmentally responsible aquaculture, even in regions with limited resources.