How to farm spiny loach? Detailed explanation of methods and key technical points

Spiny loach can be farmed in ponds or in rice paddies, and the methods differ slightly. Pond farming requires selecting a suitable pond area and disinfecting before stocking; it can be polycultured or farmed alone. Rice paddy farming requires selecting de-acidified rice paddies, with water accumulation not too excessive, and the fry stocked per mu must be reasonably matched; apply as little pesticide as possible to avoid harming the spiny loach.

How to farm spiny loach

1. Pond farming: For farming spiny loach in ponds, generally use cement ponds or lime-sand ponds, with a pond depth of 70-100 cm, a water depth of 50-60 cm, and 15-20 cm of thick fertile mud spread on the pond bottom. The pond area can be large or small, with 2-3 mu being preferable. The pond should have convenient drainage and irrigation, and both the inlet and outlet should be fitted with wire mesh to prevent escape. Before stocking, the pond should be cleared and disinfected, using the same method and dosage as for fry ponds.

2. Pond polyculture: That is, polyculture with other fish. For example, polyculture with silver carp, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, bream, etc. This farming method is the same as pond farming in terms of pond selection, pond clearing, disinfection, and stocking.

3. Rice paddy farming: The rice-growing areas of southern China are vast. Using rice paddies to farm spiny loach saves water surface area while also producing grain, with significant economic benefits, making it a good efficient agricultural planting-and-breeding model.

4. Rice paddy selection: The best rice paddies for farming loach are weakly acidic, low in silt and sand, with good water retention and no overflow during rainfall. Field ridges should be built high around the rice paddy, and two layers of netting should be installed at the inlet and outlet to prevent the loach from escaping.

5. Stocking and management: Stock the fry after the early or middle rice seedlings have taken root. Generally, 40,000-50,000 fry are stocked per mu. Before stocking the loach, organic fertilizer should also be applied to cultivate plankton and aquatic animals in the water.