4 major technical points for reducing disease outbreaks in sea cucumber farming, worth referencing
As the health benefits and wellness value of sea cucumbers are increasingly favored by people, the sea cucumber farming market has also developed rapidly, but many people have found after trying their hand at sea cucumber farming that sea cucumbers are not easy to raise and are prone to disease, so how do you farm sea cucumbers with fewer disease outbreaks? What technical points are there?
1. Sea cucumber farming must have a reasonable site selection
When choosing a sea cucumber farming pond, farmers should avoid areas with dense sea cucumber farming and try to choose a farming area that is relatively close to the sea, rich in natural bait, has smooth tidal currents, no freshwater inflow, good water quality conditions, an abundant quantity of benthic diatoms, good mud-sand bottom substrate, and suitable water depth.
According to the specific conditions of the pond, reasonably choose the type of reef structures, and place the reef structures reasonably according to stacking standards, so as to provide favorable conditions for the habitat and summer survival of sea cucumbers and ensure their normal growth. Specifically, the pond bottom is required to be flat and free of debris, preferably with a mud-sand bottom; both sides of the pond embankment are required to have slope protection and to be sturdy with no seepage; and the inlet and outlet water area in front of the gate should be paved with bluestone or other hard materials, so as to ensure that long-term impact from water intake and drainage will not cause damage or depression in this area.
2. Sea cucumber farming ponds must be disinfected regularly
The sea cucumber is a benthic aquatic animal. Sea cucumbers live year-round at the bottom of the water layer. Sea cucumber feces, miscellaneous algae and silt accumulate on the pond bottom and reefs, and after the winter and summer seasons, the low-temperature algae at the pond bottom begin to rot and deteriorate, breeding bacteria, mold and many other pathogens, which affects the normal growth of sea cucumbers, causing them to become thin, small and weak with poor resistance.
Therefore, sea cucumber farmers should promptly carry out silt removal and disinfection work, ensure the water quality and bottom substrate environment of the pond, and create a good ecological environment to reduce the occurrence of sea cucumber diseases.
3. Points to note when selecting sea cucumber seedlings
1. Selection of sea cucumber seedlings
When selecting seedlings, make sure the body surface of the seedlings is free of damage, that they are full of vitality, free of mucus, have strong tube-foot adhesion and bright coloration, firm papillae, natural extension, and a strong ability to avoid light.
In addition, it must also be ensured that the quality of the seedlings has been inspected and passed by the relevant quarantine department before sea cucumber farming can formally begin.
2. Stocking density of sea cucumber seedlings
In addition, the stocking density of sea cucumbers affects the yield and quality of sea cucumbers. Therefore, sea cucumber farmers should reasonably control the stocking density according to the productivity and water quality conditions of the pond, so as to strengthen the constitution of the sea cucumbers, increase their growth rate, and reduce the incidence of disease. As a rough reference, if the sea cucumber size is 200-1000 individuals·kg-1, the density should be controlled at 60000-120000 individuals·hm-2.
3. Methods for releasing sea cucumber seedlings
(1) Mesh bag release method
That is, first put the sea cucumber seedlings into a mesh bag. To prevent the released mesh bag from floating freely with the pond water, a stone of moderate weight can be placed inside the mesh bag, and the seedlings are released at the designated position, allowing the seedlings to crawl out on their own.
(2) Direct release method
This method is relatively simple: just scatter the sea cucumbers directly onto the sea cucumber reefs.
4. Preventing sea cucumber diseases must be timely
Bacterial diseases are currently the most common diseases in the process of sea cucumber farming, especially during the periods when sea cucumbers undergo “summer dormancy” and “winter dormancy”. Therefore, it is recommended:
1. When releasing seedlings, sea cucumber farmers should try to release seedlings with a robust constitution and larger size. Before the seedlings enter the pond, disinfect them with a medicinal solution to reduce the occurrence of sea cucumber diseases.
2. For disease-free adult sea cucumbers, farmers can regularly use quicklime for disinfection to improve the resistance of the adult sea cucumbers.
3. For ponds where disease has already occurred, sea cucumber farmers should actively improve water quality, increase the amount of water exchange, and adopt suitable treatment measures according to the specific condition of the diseased sea cucumbers.
4. The water used for sea cucumber seedling rearing should be treated with ultraviolet disinfection, and the sea cucumber farming density should be well controlled. It should also be ensured that organic matter impurities and most microorganisms in the pond water are effectively removed. In addition, attachment substrates should be cleaned in a timely manner to ensure that the overall living environment of the sea cucumbers remains clean at all times, effectively reducing the breeding of bacteria.
5. In terms of feeding sea cucumbers, ensure that the sea cucumber feed is clean and fresh, and it is strictly forbidden to directly feed sea mud.