Technical points to note for scientific ecological farming of rice field eels

Ecological farming of rice field eels not only better solves the problems of water quality control and bait supply, but also has low cost, simple methods and high efficiency.

Construction of the rice field eel pond. According to the general pond construction method, the pond area is 30-50 sq m, the pond wall height is 0.8-1.0 m, water inlet and outlet are set at diagonal corners, and anti-escape facilities are installed.

Build earth ridges well. In the pond, pile several earth ridges 1-1.5 m wide and 20-25 cm high (use soil rich in organic matter) for breeding earthworms and allowing the rice field eels to burrow.

Cultivate earthworms. After the earth ridges are piled, keep the water in the ditches at a depth of 5-10 cm. For each sq m of earth ridge, stock 2.5-3 kg of Daping No. 2 earthworms, and spread a 4-5 cm thick layer of fermented livestock manure on the ridge surface as earthworm bait. Afterward, every 3-4 days scrape off the upper layer of livestock manure and spread a new layer, repeating this process. After about 14 days, the earthworms multiply in large numbers, and the eel fry can then be stocked. Cultivating earthworms can provide most of the bait for rice field eels in spring, summer and autumn.

Stocking density. For each sq m of eel pond, stock 3-4 kg of eel fry with a size of 50 fish per kg. The survival rate can reach more than 90%, and at harvest each fish can weigh more than 100 g.

Polyculture with river snails. On the 4th day after the eel fry are put into the pond, stock 10 kg of river snails per sq m of eel pond. In addition, some water hyacinth or duckweed should be grown on the water surface. Raising river snails mainly solves the feed problem for rice field eels in early spring; water hyacinth and duckweed can carry out photosynthesis, increase the dissolved oxygen content in the eel pond water, and improve water quality.

Feed control. When bait is obviously insufficient, supplemental feed is needed, and mixed feed can be given. When bait is excessive, the bait should be promptly removed from the pond.

Raise river snails well. River snails feed on microorganisms in the soil, diatoms and residual fish bait. After the rice field eels grow larger, they can swallow larger river snails. Therefore, brood snails should be supplemented according to the bait situation.

Water depth control. Keep the water depth at about 10 cm, and there should always be slight flowing water. At the same time, do well the daily management work of preventing escape, preventing disease and preventing natural enemies.