How to Raise Lobsters? Detailed Explanation of Breeding Methods and Key Technical Points

Lobster is a seafood dish loved by many people. In recent years, its market demand has been growing continuously, and the number of farmers raising crayfish artificially has also been increasing year by year. So, how do you raise lobsters?

1. Pond Conditions

The pond is best chosen in a place with sufficient water sources, open ground and slightly sloping terrain, and built in a rectangular shape. The water quality is required to be fresh and pollution-free, with dissolved oxygen in the water above 4mg/l and a pH value of 7.0 to 8.0. Apart from the embankments around the shrimp pond needing to be solid, some simple materials such as plastic film or plastic netting can also be used to enclose it, to prevent the lobsters from escaping or the invasion of harmful organisms such as frogs, snakes and rats.

2. Method of Releasing Seedlings

1. Time of releasing seedlings: generally from April to early June; seedlings can be released once the spring water temperature rises above 16°C.

2. Selection of shrimp seedlings: choose seedlings with a smooth and glossy body surface, complete and sound limbs, and good health.

3. Stocking density: determined by factors such as the size of the shrimp seedlings, the rearing requirements, the conditions of the shrimp pond and the level of feeding management. Generally, for lobster seedlings with a body length of more than 1.5 to 2cm, the stocking rate per 1/15 hectare is 5000 to 6000 tails, and the survival rate is usually above 70% to 80%.

4. Method of releasing seedlings and precautions: when releasing seedlings, the water level is required to be above 0.8 to 1.0m. Since the temperature varies greatly during the seedling release season, a relatively deep water level helps keep the water temperature relatively stable. Each shrimp pond should be stocked with the full quantity of seedlings in one go. They should be released in scattered spots in the shallow water around the shrimp pond.

3. Feeding

1. Types of feed

Plant-based feed: soybean, soybean cake, wheat, corn, sweet potato, etc.

Animal-based feed: fish meal, fresh mixed fish, river snails, freshwater mussel meat, earthworms and livestock and poultry offal, etc.

Compound feed: at present there is no compound feed specifically for freshwater lobsters on the market; compound feed for prawns and hairy crabs can be used instead, or you can make your own.

2. Feeding amount: the daily feeding amount of dry feed is roughly 8% to 10% of the body weight of small shrimp, 5% of the body weight of medium shrimp, and 3% to 4% of the body weight of large shrimp; if fresh feed is used, it can be appropriately higher than this figure. The feeding situation of lobsters should be flexibly controlled according to conditions such as weather, water temperature and water quality, and adjusted promptly and reasonably.

3. Feeding method: generally twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, preferably before sunrise and after sunset, with the evening feeding being the main one.

Raising lobsters is a project with relatively high economic returns, and the current market prospects are good. Friends who are interested can give it a try.