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Fisheries Science of Ukraine, 2026; 2(76): 99-123
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61976/fsu2026.02.099
UDC 639.512:636.087.7

Received: 25.04.2026
Received in revised form: 29.05.2026
Published: 30.06.2026

Prospects of using common oak leaves (Quercus robur Linnaeus, 1758) as a natural product of increasing the efficiency of growing California red crayfish (Procambarus clarkii Girard, 1852)

V. Koretskyi, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0009-0002-4733-1176, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv

Purpose. Assessment of the effect of adding fallen leaves of common oak (Quercus robur L.) as a functional feed additive to the diet of California red crayfish (Procambarus clarkii Girard, 1852) on its growth, body length and survival rate.

Methodology. The study was conducted in 2025 at the training laboratory of aquaculture technologies of the National Institute of Aquatic Bioresources and Aquaculture of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. Four experimental groups of 30 California red crayfish juveniles were formed: a control group (No. 1) and three experimental groups, which were fed 10 g of fallen oak leaves in their diet. Measurements of morphometric parameters and counting the number of individuals of all groups were carried out every 10 days. Hydrochemical parameters of the aquatic environment were maintained within the species optimum for the California red crayfish. Feeding and monitoring of growing conditions were carried out daily.

Findings. The use of common oak leaves had a positive effect on the intensity of weight gain, body length and especially on the survival of California red crayfish. At the end of the study, individuals of control group No. 1 were characterized by an average weight of 13.50±1.12 g, while individuals of the experimental groups had the following average weights: group No. 2 – 14.17±0.75 g, group No. 3 – 13.95±0.87 g, group No. 4, respectively, 14.30±0.84 g. A similar trend was observed with the average body lengths, which at the end of the study were for control group No. 1 – 7.12±0.24 cm, for group No. 2 – 7.32±0.13 cm, for group No. 3 – 7.39±0.13 cm and for group No. 4 – 7.53±0.11 cm, respectively. In addition to higher body weight gain rates, experimental groups No. 2–4 also showed higher survival rates, which at the end of the study were 76.67% in group No. 2, 76.67% in group No. 3, and 80.00% in group No. 4, while the survival rate in control group No. 1 was the lowest and amounted to 66.67%. It is also worth noting that losses due to cannibalism in control group No. 1 were recorded much earlier than in groups No. 2–4.

Originality. For the first time, the effect of common oak leaves on the efficiency of growing red California crayfish has been experimentally investigated in laboratory conditions. The specifics of the effect of the leaves of this plant on the body weight, body length, and survival rate of the California red crayfish have been established

Practical Value. The results obtained indicate the feasibility of using common oak leaves in the diet of California red crayfish. Its use increases the efficiency of growing red California crayfish under controlled conditions, promotes higher body weight gain of crayfish and reduces losses of individuals due to cannibalism. The results obtained can be used to optimize the technology of growing crayfish on specialized crustacean aquaculture farms.

Keywords: aquaculture, leaf detritus, tannins, weight, survival.

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