Mantis Shrimp Farming Conditions: Water Source and Water Quality Are Key, Keeping Water Temperature Well Controlled Makes Them Grow Fast

AbstractFarming mantis shrimp requires an abundant water source and good water quality. Cement ponds are best for the farming pond, and the size of the nursery pond should preferably be controlled at around 9×4×1.2m. The water temperature should be kept between 20-27°C, the water visibility at around 30cm, more than 1/4 of the water should be changed every day, and the oxygen content in the water should be maintained above 5ml/l. Before releasing the shrimp fry, the pond needs to be disinfected and sterilized, and fertilizer applied to cultivate feed. Every day, they should be fed cut fresh and live shellfish, small fish and shrimp, etc., and daily management should be done well.

Mantis Shrimp Farming Conditions

1. Growth Environment Requirements

To farm mantis shrimp, choose a place with an abundant water source and good water quality. The nursery pond is best made of cement, with its size controlled at around 9×4×1.2m. The oxygen content in the water should be maintained above 5ml/l, the water visibility should be controlled at 30cm, and more than 1/4 of the water should be changed every day to ensure the water quality is clear. The water temperature should be controlled at 20-27°C; if the water temperature is too high or too low, it will affect the growth and development of the mantis shrimp.

2. Preparatory Work Before Release

Before releasing the shrimp fry, use 45kg/mu of quicklime to disinfect and sterilize the farming pond. 10 days before release, inject 5-10cm of water into the pond and then spread organic fertilizer into the pond to cultivate sufficient natural feed for the shrimp fry to eat. Set up protective nets around the pond to prevent the mantis shrimp from escaping.

3. Feed Selection

Mantis shrimp can be fed fresh and live shellfish, small fish, small shrimp, etc. Before feeding, the feed should first be cut into small pieces to ensure even feeding. When feeding, a little more can be given to prevent the mantis shrimp from fighting and killing each other over food.

4. Feed Feeding

Mantis shrimp generally do not move during the day; they are mostly active at night. Therefore, more food should be fed in the evening, and the amount of feed fed each time should be controlled at 5-20% of the total weight of the shrimp group.

When feeding, adjustments should be made according to the egg-bearing condition of the mantis shrimp, changes in water temperature and weather, and differences in feed types. In the early stage of cultivation, a little more feed can be given to ensure better growth and development of the shrimp fry. When the parent shrimp are bearing eggs, they will burrow into caves and basically do not eat, so feeding can be appropriately reduced.

5. Daily Management

Patrol every day to check the condition of the mantis shrimp, inspect the pond's drainage and intake openings, monitor water quality, and do a good job in disease prevention.

Mantis Shrimp Farming Methods

1. Seed Selection

For parent shrimp, choose female shrimp that have already mated in artificial farming or in natural sea areas, preferably those with a body length of 11cm and a body weight of 30g or more. Choose shrimp that have been out of water for a short time, have a good degree of gonadal development, are strong and healthy, have complete appendages, have no wounds on the body, have bright body color, and are sensitive to external stimuli.

2. Transportation

After purchasing the shrimp seed, transport them to the fry site as soon as possible and put them into the pond for temporary cultivation. Transportation methods can include live water boat transport, nylon bag oxygen-filled transport, dry method moisture-retaining transport, and canvas bucket water transport, etc.

3. Nursery Cultivation

First soak the parent shrimp in a formaldehyde solution of a certain concentration for 3 minutes, then put shrimp with complete appendages and agile movement into a disinfected cement pond, inject filtered fresh seawater into the pond, and aerate to let the shrimp recover their vitality. Keep them in temporary cultivation for about 30 days to fatten their gonads.

4. Management and Care

Regularly monitor and adjust water quality to ensure normal development of the shrimp fry; feed them some crushed field snails or river mussel meat, appropriately add plant-based feeds such as corn, soybean meal, and wheat, and do a good job in disease prevention and control.