How to Raise Iridescent Sharks? Breeding Methods and Technical Key Points
The iridescent shark is a small-sized fleshy wild economic fish with a small and cute appearance, so many people like to keep it as an ornamental fish. So how do you raise an iridescent shark?
1. Pond Construction
For monoculture of iridescent sharks, the pond area should preferably be 2000-3000 sq m, with a water storage depth of about 1.5-2 m, at 2000-3000 fish per mu. For polyculture of iridescent sharks, the pond area should be at a density of 100 fish per mu.
2. Water Temperature Requirements
Iridescent sharks inhabit the middle and lower layers of the water body. The suitable temperature for growth is 22-26 degrees. When the water temperature drops to 14-18 degrees, their activity decreases, and at 12-13 degrees they suffer shock and die. Therefore, during breeding, a cold-proof shed is generally built.
3. Stocking Density
The stocking density of iridescent sharks should be determined according to actual conditions. Usually, for monoculture, 2000-3000 fish of about 3-4 cm are stocked per mu. When mixed with silver carp, grass carp, and tilapia, it is 100 fish per mu.
4. Feeding Requirements
Iridescent sharks do not have high feed requirements; a crude protein level above 27% is sufficient. Depending on local conditions, water hyacinth and water spinach can be beaten into a pulp and mixed with crushed corn and bean dregs for feeding. When feeding, feed at fixed times, fixed locations, with fixed quality, and fixed amounts. The protein of the compound feed used should be greater than 40%.
5. Water Quality Management
During the feeding process, pay attention to changes in water quality, change the water frequently, feed less and add frequently, to ensure the healthy growth of the fry.
6. Disease Prevention and Control
During the growth period, iridescent sharks may suffer from fin rot, white spot disease, and other diseases, so prevention and control measures should be taken in advance. For affected fish, timely symptomatic treatment should be given.
(1) Fin rot: The symptoms are congestion and ulceration of the tail fin and dorsal fin, and the diseased fish do not eat and die in large numbers. The cause is bacterial infection, and it is a serious infectious disease at the fry and fingerling stage. Pond water can be disinfected with 15 mg/L formalin or 10 mg/L potassium permanganate or 10-20 mg/L bleaching powder solution. Antibiotic drugs can also be added to the mixed feed. Use 30-40 oxytetracycline tablets per thousand fish per day for 7 consecutive days, and the diseased fish can be cured.
(2) White spot disease: Also known as ichthyophthiriasis. This disease is prone to occur when the water temperature is 20-24℃. The symptoms are white spots on the body surface, and in severe cases, pustules form, and the fish body becomes emaciated and separates from the group. It can be treated by splashing 0.1-0.15 mg/L mercurous nitrate over the whole pond, and repeating once after 3-4 days; the ichthyophthirius will automatically drop off.