<p>Preliminary study on the coconut crab (<em>Birgus latro</em>) rearing was employed in captive pond at Citarate village, Lebak Regency (Banten) from May to December 2008. The rearing activity was done in captive pond sized 5x5x1.3 m<sup>3</sup> divided into 22 smaller ponds sized 1x1x1.3 m<sup>3</sup> with a hiding hole (constructed by pile stones), supported by two small ponds sized 30x40x40 cm<sup>3</sup> for sea and fresh water stocks, respectively. The coconut crab (N=22 individuals at cement pond I and N=18 individuals at cement pond II) were reared in each small ponds (density: 1 individual/pond), feed by a piece of coconut (20-50 gram per individual in each cement pond). The coconut and the water (sea and fresh water) were replaced for 2-3 times per week. Result of the study showed that survival rate was around 82% (ponds I) and 83% (ponds II), and mortality was around 18% (ponds I) and 18% (ponds II). The coconut crab growth at captive ponds I and II were around 17.5 and 52 gram per month, respectively.</p> <p>Key words: Preliminary study, rearing, coconut crab (<em>Birgus latro</em>)</p> <p> </p> <p>ABSTRAK</p> <p>Uji coba pemeliharaan kepiting kelapa (<em>Birgus latro</em>) dilakukan di kolam penangkaran di Desa Citarate, Kabupaten Lebak (Banten) pada Bulan Mei sampai Desember 2008. Kegiatan pemeliharaan dilakukan pada bak semen berukuran 5x5x1.3 m<sup>2</sup> yang terbagi menjadi 22 bak semen lebih kecil yang berukuran 1x1x1.3 m<sup>3</sup> dilengkapi dengan tempat persembunyian (berupa tumpukan batu), serta bak kecil sebagai tempat penampungan air laut dan tawar masing-masing berukuran 30x40x40 cm<sup>3</sup>. Kepiting kelapa (N=22 ekor pada kolam I dan N=18 pada kolam II) dimasukkan ke dalam setiap kolam (kepadatan 1 individu/kolam), dan diberikan pakan utama berupa potongan kelapa ukuran sekitar 20-50 gram per individu per kolam. Penggantian kelapa dan air (tawar dan laut) dilakukan 2-3 kali per minggu. Hasil uji coba pemeliharaan kepiting kelapa menunjukkan bahwa tingkat sintasan (<em>survival rate</em>) di kolam peliharaan berkisar 82 (Kolam I) dan 83% (Kolam II), sedangkan tingkat kematian (<em>mortalitas</em>) sebesar 18 (Kolam I) dan 17% (Kolam II). Pertumbuhan kepiting kelapa di kolam penangkaran I dan masing-masing adalah sekitar 17,5 dan 52 gram per bulan.</p> <p>Kata kunci: Uji coba, pemeliharaan, kepiting kelapa (<em>Birgus latro</em>).</p>
A preliminary study of the distribution, food and reproductive capacity of some fresh-water amphipods. By George C. Embody.