How do I start mud crab fattening and what is the setup cost?

Mud crab fattening means buying lean, freshly moulted soft or water crabs and growing them for a short period until they fill out with meat or develop roe, then selling them at a much higher price. It is done in small ponds, pens, cages or box or apartment systems in coastal brackish water areas. Setup cost depends on the system, and a small pond or cage unit can start relatively modestly compared with shrimp, while box systems cost more. The crop cycle is short, often a few weeks, which means quicker turnover but you need a steady supply of lean crabs and a good market. Mud crab needs brackish water and suits coastal regions. Confirm that your location and water suit it, and get setup details and any permission needs verified by your state Fisheries department before starting.