How to raise snakehead fry well? Breeding methods and technical key points

The snakehead is a valuable freshwater fish with high nutritional value, known as a “treasure among fish.” It is currently mainly distributed in the Yangtze River basin and the Heilongjiang area, though it is also farmed in other regions, so how do you raise snakehead fry?

1. Pond construction

Based on the number of fry, build a pond of suitable size in reservoirs, lakes and other places. Generally, building a rectangular pond with an east-west orientation is best. The pond depth should be around 2.5, and the water depth should preferably be around 2 m. Then put some mud at the bottom, enclose the surrounding area with protective netting, and 15 days before stocking, spread 150 kg of quicklime per mu into the pond for disinfection.

2. Stocking fry

Go to a specialty store to buy some healthy fry, then soak them in 3%-5% salt water for about 15 minutes, and finally put them into the pond. Generally, stocking 9000-10000 fry per mu is about right.

3. Daily management

(1) Frequently observe the fish's growth: During the breeding period, frequently check the pond and observe the fish's feeding and activity. Once any abnormality is found, deal with it promptly.

(2) Water quality requirements: In spring, change 4/5 of the pond water every week; in the hot season, do a small change every 3 days and a large change every 7 days, so as to maintain good water quality.

(3) Feeding requirements: Try to feed small fish, small shrimp, larvae, etc. In the early stage, the feeding amount is 10% of body weight, and later it can be appropriately reduced to about 5% of body weight. Feed should be given one spoonful at a time, so that less feed is wasted. In the later stage, increase the feeding amount again.

(4) Disease prevention: During the growth period of snakehead, diseases such as trichodiniasis, myxosporidiosis, hemorrhagic septicemia and saprolegniasis may occur, so preventive measures should be taken in advance.