The mud crab,Scylla sp.,is an important crustacean species farmed on a commercial scale in China.They are polycultured with fish or shrimp,but mud crabs are now monocultured in increasing density to supply the growing market.This trend has made diet development more important.Information on the nutrients required for growth of mud crabs is vital for the formulation of an effective feed.This paper reviews the current knowledge on Scylla sp.nutrition with special reference to developments during the last decade.Biochemical studies and diet studies are discussed with the aim of identifying the nutrients that are important to sustain optimal Scylla sp.growth,health and reproduction,and development of a series of formulated diet for mud crab intensive culture.Additionally,several suggestions to further study fields on nutritional requirements and developing formulated diets for mud crab were put forward.
