How do bitterlings reproduce without freshwater mussels? Reproduction method explained

The bitterling, also known as the square skin, is an omnivorous fish that relies on freshwater mussels to reproduce and has relatively high ornamental and medicinal value. So how do bitterlings reproduce without freshwater mussels?

1. How do bitterlings reproduce without freshwater mussels?

Bitterlings cannot reproduce without freshwater mussels. This is because the bitterling lays and fertilizes its eggs in the gill slit of a freshwater mussel, letting the mussel take on the task of incubation. When the young life has grown, the small bitterlings carry the mussel's offspring in their gills and do not leave until the young mussels mature and fall into the water.

2. How do freshwater mussels produce pearls?

1. Farming methods

(1) The farming area of the pond should be adapted to local conditions. A small pond is 3-5 mu, while a large pond ranges from more than ten mu to several dozen mu. The water quality is generally relatively fertile, with abundant food organisms. Grass carp, bream and crucian carp can be polycultured in the pond. It is not suitable to stock fish species that compete for food, such as silver carp, and do not stock carnivorous fish such as black carp and snakehead.

(2) Choose unpolluted rivers with sufficient oxygen, fresh water quality, flowing water and full material exchange, which are suitable for the growth of the triangle sail mussel.

(3) If lakes, reservoirs and the like are chosen, the water area should be relatively large. Choose shallower water areas along the shore or in bends for pearl mussel farming, and the water body should have good flow, clear water quality and abundant dissolved oxygen.

2. Precautions

(1) When farming pearl mussels, pay attention to these three points: the water quality environment, mussel farming techniques, and the selection of species for fish-mussel polyculture.

(2) When farming pearl mussels, fish can be polycultured in the farming pond, such as crucian carp, bighead carp, silver carp, yellow catfish and other fish species, but ferocious fish such as catfish and snakehead must not be polycultured.

(3) When polyculturing fish, do not polyculture fish with diseased pearl mussels, otherwise both the pearl mussels and the fish will die. If diseased pearl mussels appear, they should be treated with medication promptly.