Shellfish Breeding and Hatchery Management (2+1)

6.2.1. Mating

The size at first sexual maturity is 120 mm (carapace width) for larger species (S.tranquebarica) and 83 mm (cw) for S. serrata. The early maturing ovary is bright orange in colour where as, in matured – ready to spawn female, it is deep yellow in colour. Copulation takes place between a hard shelled male and a freshly moulted, soft bodied female. The courtship is initiated by a “premating embrace” between hard shelled male and hard shelled female which lasts for 2-3 days.