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Page count: 8

Chelotomy, dactylotomy and dactylostasis were evaluated for effect on survival and growth of small lobsters held for up to 6 months in communal tanks. Juveniles of approximately 8th stage were stocked at 25/m2 in communal tanks containing oyster shell. After 24 weeks best survival (82%) was among dactylotomized lobsters (dactyls of both chelipeds removed), and the worst survival (55%) occurred in untreated controls. Between these extremes were those from which both chelipeds had been removed (chelotomy; 79% survival) and those from which the dactyls were bonded to the propodite with a polymerizing adhesive (dactylostasis; 64% survival). In addition to their greater survival, dactylotomized lobsters also showed the greatest mean length increase over the 24-week period (86% vs. 83% for the controls), and much greater weight gain (565% vs. 335%). In survival, percent weight gain, biomass increase and linear increase the best performance was by lobsters without dactyls.