In Lake Fúquene, between Cundinamarca and Boyacá, the American red crab (Procambarus clarkii) has gone from being a rarity to an environmental headache. Its presence puts pressure on native fauna and the catfish , an endemic species that was already severely threatened.
Faced with this scenario, the University of Cundinamarca is testing a pragmatic solution: transforming the invader into protein flour to feed animals, with field sampling and laboratory tests aimed at controlled and sustainable use.
Ecological impact on Fúquene and the advance of the species
The species has been classified as invasive by the CAR (Regional Autonomous Corporation) due to its rapid spread and its effects on the ecosystem. According to researchers, it competes for food and habitat, and complicates the recovery of the catfish , identified as one of the most affected species.
Its rapid reproductive cycle and lack of natural predators combine with an unexpected ally: the water hyacinth , a floating plant that provides it with shelter. The problem is no longer confined to Fúquene: there are reports of infestations in other wetlands in Cundinamarca and Boyacá , which complicates any rapid containment efforts.
How did he arrive and why does he adapt so well?
The red crab was introduced to Colombia in 1986 in the Cauca Valley for commercial purposes. From there it escaped and spread to several river basins; its presence in Fúquene has been documented since the mid-2000s, with reports placing it in the highlands around 2006.
Their invasive success is explained by their environmental tolerance, high fecundity, and, above all, by the fact that they arrive without natural predators . Added to this is the possibility of accidental transport by people or their being carried along through waterways that connect different lagoons and wetlands; this tolerance is common in some crayfish species.
From the lab to the farm: that's the project
The university team collects specimens in Fúquene, often alongside water hyacinth, and transports them to the laboratories at the Ubaté campus . The aim is to characterize the crustacean's biology, its environment, and to obtain representative samples of the local population.
In the laboratory, the material undergoes pre-cooking to eliminate pathogens and is then ground into an experimental flour . This flour is being tested on poultry to evaluate its safety and potential as a feed ingredient.
The variables under study include weight gain, pigmentation, and nutritional value , with particular attention to protein content and its truly digestible fraction. The team is cautiously considering future uses in aquaculture if the results are promising and environmental conditions allow.
Team, schedule and projection in the territory
Three professors and four students are participating , with support from the Animal Science program coordination. The initial findings will be presented at an international meeting in Ocaña in November, as part of a technical dialogue on biological invasions and sustainability.
The goal is to connect science and agriculture: a productive alternative to reduce the pressure from the invasive species, generate income, and strengthen local sustainability . If successful, it could be replicated in other affected areas of the highlands.
Health risks and damage to riverbanks
For humans, the greatest risk comes from the alteration of the ecosystem; even so, there are warnings about parasites and bacteria associated with the crustacean, such as paragonimiasis and Vibrio mimicus , which can be transmitted by consuming or handling raw or undercooked specimens.
In the surrounding environment, this crayfish burrows tunnels in riverbanks, increases turbidity, destabilizes riverbanks, and contributes to water loss in canals and wetlands. All of this leads to habitat degradation for native species and a reduction in key ecosystem services.
With an approach that avoids grandiose promises, the proposal from the University of Cundinamarca seeks to turn a problem into an opportunity : to take advantage of invasive biomass without losing sight of the balance of Fúquene and to add biological and productive control tools to the service of the territory.
