The Narrow-Clawed Crayfish Pontastacus leptodactylus: Functional Nutrition, Health Management, and Strategies for Sustainable Production

Abstract

The narrow-clawed crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus) is a native Eurasian species of significant ecological importance and increasing commercial interest, representing a promising species for freshwater aquaculture development. Although the species demonstrates broad physiological tolerance to varying environmental conditions, its intensive cultivation remains limited by persistent biological constraints, including high juvenile mortality, cannibalism associated with asynchronous molting cycles, and vulnerability to crayfish plague caused by Aphanomyces astaci. Building on recently published comprehensive accounts of the biology and distribution of the species, this review focuses specifically on nutritional optimization and technological integration as pathways for overcoming these key production constraints. Recent advancements in sustainable aquafeed formulations are evaluated, with particular emphasis on the substitution of fishmeal with alternative protein sources, including insect-based meals and microalgae, alongside the application of prebiotics, synbiotics, and functional feed additives to modulate gut microbiota, enhance antioxidant capacity, and improve stress resistance. Environmental management strategies, including habitat enrichment, stocking density optimization, and photoperiod manipulation, are further examined for their roles in reducing agonistic interactions and improving animal welfare under intensive culture conditions. The epidemiology of A. astaci is further discussed within the context of biosecurity strategies aimed at protecting both aquaculture systems and native freshwater biodiversity. In addition, the potential contribution of nutritional conditioning to host immune resilience against pathogen exposure is discussed as an underexplored but promising management strategy. Overall, current evidence suggests that the long-term scalability of P. leptodactylus aquaculture depends on the adoption of recirculating aquaculture systems, biofloc technology, and genomic breeding tools, integrated with optimized nutritional and welfare-oriented management strategies, to achieve sustainable intensification and commercial viability.