A Detailed Explanation of Sturgeon Farming Methods and Technical Key Points
AbstractSturgeon are mainly farmed in reservoirs, lakes and rivers, generally stocked in spring and winter. The most commonly used method by farmers is the cage, and the cage size depends on the scale of farming. For feeding stocked sturgeon, fully pelleted feed should be chosen. Cages need dedicated care, with timely observation of changes in air temperature, water temperature and so on, so that sturgeon can grow safely.
Sturgeon are generally farmed in reservoirs, lakes and rivers with large water areas. Sturgeon are suited to growing in waters with a broad surface, slight water flow, no water pollution, and a water depth of more than 5 m. Sturgeon have the characteristics of fast growth, a short farming cycle, strong adaptability and high economic returns, so there are quite a lot of farmers.
Selection of Water Area and Cages
At present, farmers mainly use cages to farm sturgeon. Cages are generally double-layered and are mostly made of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride mesh sheets. The specifications of the cages depend on the farmer's scale, and the length, width and height are usually 10 m×4 m×4 m, 6 m×4 m×4 m, etc. The mesh size is determined by the size of the fish, as long as the fish cannot escape. To ensure the water quality of the water body, sturgeon with a body weight of 30-50 g are generally stocked, and a mesh size of about 1.5 cm is sufficient. The bottom of the cage should be sewn with silk gauze to avoid feed loss.
Cages are generally of the frame floating type and can rise and fall freely according to water temperature fluctuations. Cages should be placed in the pond in advance before farming sturgeon, so that algae can attach and grow. This is to prevent damage to the fish bodies when the fingerlings enter. Sturgeon should be farmed in waters that are broad, more than 5 m deep and free of water pollution. In this way, sturgeon can reach the highest yield, providing farmers with higher economic returns.
Reasonable Stocking
Sturgeon are generally suited to being stocked in spring and winter, and the stocked fingerlings must be healthy in constitution, free of injury and disease, and uniform in specification. Generally, the stocking density per sq m of cage is: about 80 fingerlings for those weighing around 40 g. During stocking, the fish bodies are soaked and washed with salt water to ensure the fish bodies are clean and free of pollution.
Scientific Feeding
Sturgeon feed should be fully pelleted feed. The feed needs to meet the following standards: the protein content should reach about 40%, of which the animal protein content should be above 15%, the fat should be above 9%, the carbohydrate content should be about 30%, and appropriate amounts of vitamins, minerals, cellulose, etc. are also needed. Feed should preferably be given at 1/2 of the mouth gape of the fish.
Do not feed the fingerlings within 2 days after they are placed in the cage, so that they can adapt to the cage environment. Feed them after 2 days, with a daily feeding amount of about 6 times. Upon entering the normal rearing stage, feed 3 times a day, in the morning, at noon and in the evening, adhering to the principle of small amounts and multiple times, ensuring that every fish can eat the feed and grow quickly. Feeding should also be reasonably adjusted according to weather, water temperature, changes in dissolved oxygen and the feeding situation of the fish, so as to feed scientifically.
Strengthening Management
Cages need dedicated personnel for care, with several inspections of the cages every day, and good daily records of air temperature, water temperature, feeding and so on. Carefully observe the daily activity and growth of the sturgeon. When differences in individual size become obvious, separate them into different cages in time for farming, to avoid polarization due to uneven fish body sizes.
The safety of the cages should be paid timely attention to, strictly preventing wind waves, mud, sand and debris from pressing the cages down, and the cage bottom should be checked frequently to prevent fish from escaping through holes. Rinse the cages regularly, generally once about every 10 days. In the event of flooding, they should be rinsed immediately to avoid viral infection.
If there are dead fish, they should be taken out immediately to prevent pollution and cross-infection. Disinfect with lime about every 20 days to ensure the fish grow in a safe and pollution-free environment.