Reproductive biology, artificial reproduction, and breeding strategies of the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii): A review

Abstract

The red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) is widely cultured and consumed due to its palatable meat and high nutritional value. It also becomes the most valuable crustacean species because of its amazing yield and economic value in China. However, P. clarkii has unique reproductive habits, such as multiple mating events, low fecundity, asynchronous sexual maturity, and egg-carrying hatching, which pose huge challenges to its seed breeding and genetic improvement. Additionally, the large-scale breeding technology of P. clarkii has not achieved a substantial breakthrough. The scarcity of high-quality seedlings and the problem of periodic juvenile supply hinder the further development of the P. clarkii aquaculture industry. This research adopted a systematic literature review approach, combining thematic analysis with quantitative synthesis of data from published articles (1972–2025), and contacting with production practice, we briefly describe the research advances including the reproduction biology and artificial breeding techniques in P. clarkii, and analyze some main factors which influence the reproduction and production of P. clarkii, including shelters, light, water temperature, salinity, and drought stress. Our analysis reveals that the key to the artificial breeding techniques in P. clarkii lies in effectively promoting synchronized spawning and producing P. clarkii juveniles in a large-scale way. To achieve the breeding of high-quality seedlings, the breeding of fine varieties of P. clarkii will be put on the crucial agenda in the future. Similar to other aquatic animals, with the assistance of various molecular biology techniques, the breeding will be more precise and efficient.