For artificial shelters (reefs) which materials (wood, concrete, plastic tube, pvc) are more friendly or familiar with environment? specially for crayfish.
For crayfish the most important, to provide hiding places especially by higher stock density.
For building of artificial reefs, it think the best choice would be some sort of stones (limestone, etc.). And the size should be megalithic (>40cm), so there will be larger spaces between the stones, providing the said hiding places.
Limestone is also beneficial for chemical traits of the water through the CO3-/HCO3 system.
I agree with peter
concrete or cement are most familiar with environment. As I saw in Persian Gulf for shrimp and lobster artificial shelters.
Artificial reefs are excellent substratum for marine organisms at the conservation point. All structures can help for the settlement of the ocean living organisms. Concrete structures are used widely. Depends on availability all materials are utilized for this purpose for the restoration and creating fishing habitats.
Tetrapod concrete structures are normally used as wave breakers in the sea at shore. The wide spaces between the tetrapods are helping as artificial reefs in conservation of many marine living organisms. The tetrapods of various sizes can be used depending on size of water body. If it is in ponds for short duration bamboo structures, hume pipes, PVC pipes can also be used.
Concrete; glass and ceramics for trapping octopi, squid and inkfish.
If you look for most sea-friendly material, it should be wood. However, Peter is right that limestones can be used as environment friendly material too. Since crayfish has preferences on the size and character of the spaces according to their size/lige stages and ecological needs, you may consider concrete material in order to design the reefs according to your objectives.
Dear Ardavan,
You could able to ask your question to one of my colleagues Dr. Danial Azhdari. His email is: [email protected]
You may visit the artificial reefs designed by the Japanese. They have specific designs for specific sea organism. Artificial reef designs for juvenile and adult crayfishes and spiny lobster were also tested and intensely studied. Good luck!
(Artificial Reef in Japan_ A general outline by Jean-Marie Thierry. 1988. Aquacultural Engineering 7 321-348.
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