How to Raise River Shrimp? A Detailed Guide to Freshwater River Shrimp Farming Techniques
Shrimp is a kind of aquatic product we often eat in our daily lives. Shrimp is divided into two types: one is sea shrimp and the other is river shrimp. Although sea shrimp is delicious, it is not common and is expensive, but river shrimp generally lives in rivers, lakes, ponds and other places. It is a high-protein, low-fat aquatic product and is also very popular among consumers. Nowadays, farming river shrimp has also become a relatively popular farming project, so how exactly should river shrimp be raised?
How to Raise River Shrimp
1. Pond conditions
It is advisable to choose a freshwater pond or shrimp pond with an area of 3-5 mu, a water depth of 1.5-2.5 m, sufficient freshwater sources, no pollution, and a sandy bottom.
2. Fertilizing to cultivate bait
One week before stocking the shrimp fry, filter the water with a 60-80 mesh silk gauze net, fill with 30 cm of water, and apply 50 kg of base fertilizer (fermented livestock manure) or 5 kg of urea per mu to cultivate basic bait.
3. Stocking shrimp fry
Generally, shrimp fry can be stocked in late May when the water temperature stabilizes at 18-20°C. The shrimp fry need to undergo desalination treatment for more than one week, and can only be stocked when the specific gravity is below 1.003. Generally, 30,000-40,000 shrimp fry of 0.7-1.0 cm are stocked per mu; fry below 0.7 cm need to be temporarily cultured. Silver carp and bighead carp fingerlings of 10-20 cm can be polycultured in the shrimp pond at 80-150 fish.
Feed feeding. Within 1 month after the shrimp fry are put into the pond, there is basically no need to feed compound bait; they mainly rely on plankton in the pond for food. After 1 month, feed compound bait, supplemented with fresh fish, shellfish meat, etc. The feeding rate is generally 3%-5% of the shrimp body weight. From July to September, the feeding amount can be appropriately increased, with the principle of not leaving leftover bait. The feeding frequency is 2-3 times a day, with the daytime feeding amount accounting for 1/3 and the evening accounting for 2/3.
4. Regulating water and preventing disease
Ten days after stocking the shrimp fry, begin to gradually add water, adding 10-15 cm each week. In high-temperature seasons, change 20-30 cm of water every 2-3 days. About every half month, use 5-10 kg of quicklime per mu, slaked into slurry and splashed over the whole pond, which both improves water quality and bottom sediment and sterilizes and promotes shell shedding and growth. At the same time, at 15-20 days, 1‰-3‰ garlic medicated bait should be mixed and fed continuously for 3-5 days.
Freshwater River Shrimp Farming Techniques
1. Feed preparation
One week before putting shrimp fry into the shrimp pond, we should use a 60-80 mesh silk gauze net for filtration, first add 30 cm of water, apply 50 kg of base fertilizer per mu, or apply 5 kg of urea. This is excellent for cultivating basic feed and can also save part of the cost. Try to keep the transparency of the pond water at about 30 cm.
2. Stocking shrimp fry
After all the preparations are completed, the shrimp fry can be stocked. The most critical thing in stocking is to control the stocking density well. The farming density should be controlled when the shrimp pond is established, and the density should be controlled according to the size of the shrimp pond. Generally speaking, if the yield per mu is to reach 80 kg, then correspondingly more than 80,000 fry should be stocked. If the pond conditions vary, and if they are good and conditions permit, an aerator can be installed for the shrimp pond, which can play a very good role in increasing oxygen when the density is too high.
3. Feed feeding
River shrimp has relatively omnivorous feeding habits, so relatively more attention should be paid to the diversity of feed. The feed should not be too single; the feed should be changed at intervals to ensure balanced intake of nutrients for river shrimp.
4. Daily management
In ordinary times, it is only necessary to observe whether the water quality is clean and hygienic. At other times, mainly in high-temperature seasons, water should be changed frequently. Every half month, quicklime should be used for disinfection to ensure that the water source is sterile. This not only improves water quality but also ensures the bottom substrate and can promote shell growth. From August to October each year, the amount of river shrimp kept in ponds increases greatly, because at this time climate changes are very large, so it is very easy to cause oxygen deficiency. Therefore, it is best to prepare an aerator in the shrimp pond.
Where to Buy River Shrimp Farming Fry
Generally, specialized farms sell them, and some legitimate websites also sell them, but if buying on websites, you need to be cautious.
Living Habits of River Shrimp
1. Macrobrachium shrimp is an omnivorous aquatic animal, partial to animal feed, and artificial farming mainly relies on commercial feed. Its optimum growth water temperature is 18-30°C. When the water temperature drops to 4°C, it enters the overwintering period. When the water temperature rises above 10°C, its vitality strengthens and feeding gradually increases.
2. It lives a benthic life and likes to inhabit slow-flowing places with dense aquatic plants. The inhabited water depth ranges from 1-2 m to 6-7 m. In summer and autumn, river shrimp seek food and reproduce in shallow water near the shore. In winter, they move to deeper water areas to overwinter, rarely feeding or moving.
3. At a water temperature of about 18°C, sexually mature river shrimp begin to mate and lay eggs. Mating often occurs only when spawning is imminent.
4. River shrimp has a negative phototaxis, hiding in dark places during the day and coming out at night. During the reproductive season, however, it behaves unusually and will also come out during the day for mating activities. Also, when feed is put in, it will come out during the day to compete for food.
Through the above content, I believe everyone has gained a certain understanding of river shrimp farming techniques. River shrimp has very high reproductive capacity, strong adaptability, and delicious taste. With so many farming advantages, it can be seen that the farming prospects are also very promising.