The design and operation of a small research scale and a mass commercial scale rearing system
for the culture of marine ornamental decapod crustacean larvae are described in the present paper.
Preliminary data on the culture of the Mediterranean cleaner shrimp (Lysmata seticaudata),
peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni), blue-white partner shrimp (Periclimenes sagittifer),
sponge crab (Cryptodromiopsis antillensis) and green emerald crab (Mithraculus sculptus) are also
presented. The use of these ‘‘plantonkreisel’’ based systems allowed the complete larval
development of the above-mentioned species, inducing minimal mechanical stress while keeping
an excellent water quality. Higher survival rates (up to 70% and 60% for L. seticaudata and L.
wurdemanni, respectively) to the post-larval stage and a shorter larval stage duration (27 and 22 days
for L. seticaudata and L. wurdemanni, respectively) were achieved, in comparison to conventional
rearing systems. This culture technology may play a key role in the realisation of a commercial
culture of these highly priced crustacean species and therefore the reduction of wild specimen
collection.