How to Raise Grass Carp in Winter? Detailed Guide to Winter Breeding Management

AbstractIn winter, raising grass carp mainly requires attention to increasing temperature and preventing cold. In winter, because the temperature is relatively low, the dissolved oxygen in the water is relatively reduced, and the freezing of the water surface causes the water level to drop, resulting in increased density of grass carp in the pond. Therefore, in winter, a certain water level must be maintained in the pond, and during this period oxygen-increasing equipment can also be used. In winter, because the weather is cold, grass carp are prone to frost damage, so relative measures should be taken to avoid cold and increase temperature.

I. Winter Harm

Grass carp generally move in the middle and lower layers of the water and mainly feed on snails, mussels, clams, etc., and also prey on shrimp and insects. Grass carp grow relatively fast and are relatively large; adult fish can reach about 70 kg at maximum. In winter, great changes occur in the living environment and physiological state of grass carp. During overwintering, the pond water is shallow and the temperature difference varies greatly, which is unfavorable to the growth of grass carp. After the water level drops, the fish population density will relatively increase, causing grass carp to lack oxygen, stop developing, and even die. Therefore, in winter, the grass carp pond should maintain a normal water level.

II. Preventive Measures

In winter, the duration of sunlight is relatively short, and the photosynthesis of phytoplankton in the water decreases, resulting in reduced oxygen production, and the dissolved oxygen content of the aquaculture water body will also be insufficient. Therefore, in winter, oxygen-increasing equipment should be used promptly. In winter, because the weather is cold, grass carp are susceptible to cold damage, so relative measures should be taken to avoid cold and increase temperature.

1. Set up barriers to avoid cold: stakes can be driven on the north side of the fish pond, and then grass curtains or woven bags can be put around as barriers, thereby reducing the invasion of cold waves.

2. Apply manure to raise temperature: apply about 500 kg of decomposed livestock and poultry manure in the pond, which can use the heat released by fertilizer fermentation to raise the water temperature.

3. Make fires for warmth: because the north wind is relatively strong during the day in winter, there is generally frost at night, during which wet rice straw can be used to make fires on the bank of the pond, increasing the air temperature and thereby reducing frost.

4. Put in aquatic plants: in winter, put an appropriate amount of aquatic plants into the fish pond so that grass carp can avoid cold among the plants.

5. Release water to increase temperature: choose a sunny noon when the temperature is relatively high, and release water from shallow ponds with relatively high water temperature into the fish pond, so that the water temperature in the pond increases.

To enhance the constitution of grass carp in winter and improve their disease resistance and cold tolerance, careful feeding should be carried out before winter to increase the fat thickness of grass carp. High-quality cold-tolerant varieties can be selected and raised. When putting them in, attention should be paid to disinfecting the fish body to reduce diseased and injured fish, improve the winter environment and survival rate of grass carp, ensure that new water is added in winter, and during this period remove excess silt and weeds, and do a good job in pest elimination and escape prevention measures.