How to raise giant salamanders: a guide to cultivating the "ginseng of the water"

The giant salamander is also called the Chinese giant salamander. It is an amphibian and a precious protected wild animal in our country. In recent years, it has been used in the food and medicinal markets. So, what are the methods for raising giant salamanders? Let's take a look together!

1. Raising conditions

If it is an outdoor setting, a rearing pond can be built outdoors. If it is indoors, rearing boxes or rearing ponds can be used. The rearing pond only needs to maintain flowing water or be equipped with an aerator. The size of an indoor rearing pond can range from 1 sq m to several dozen sq m. Before stocking, the pond must be soaked with water for 1 month, the pH value must be kept below 6.4, and the light must not be too strong.

2. Daily management

When feeding, observe three principles: fixed time, fixed location, and fixed amount. Giant salamanders like quiet and fear noise, like clear water and fear muddy water, and like darkness and fear strong light. These habits should be noted as much as possible during rearing. Normally, the giant salamanders and the rearing pond should be disinfected regularly to prevent disease, and changes in water temperature should be monitored. In summer, the water temperature should not exceed 26°C, and in winter, prevent the water temperature from dropping below 0°C.

3. Water quality adjustment

When raising giant salamanders, ensure the water quality is clear and pollution-free, with high dissolved oxygen content, and a pH value between 6.8-7.8. During the rearing process, promptly remove leftover bait and excrement, regularly use quicklime to adjust water quality, and keep the pond water flowing for a long time or be equipped with an aerator.

4. Temperature and light

When raising giant salamanders, special attention must be paid to water temperature. Exceeding their tolerance can cause giant salamanders to hibernate in winter or aestivate in summer. In hot summers and cold winters, cooling or warming measures must be taken to ensure that the Chinese giant salamander has a suitable water temperature growth environment. Giant salamanders are afraid of light, so the farm should take measures to avoid strong direct sunlight.

5. Stocking density

The stocking density of the rearing pond should be determined according to the size of the giant salamanders and factors such as the farm's water source, water body, and bait. Generally, at the fry and fingerling stage, the stocking density can be appropriately larger to facilitate centralized management and feeding; at the adult salamander stage, considering the Chinese giant salamander's large range of activity, strong feeding ability, and mutual aggression, its stocking density should be reduced. Generally speaking, at the fry and fingerling stage, the stocking density is 60-100 individuals/sq m, and at the adult salamander stage, 5-20 individuals/sq m. When stocking, try to keep individuals of similar body size together for rearing.

6. Feeding techniques

The best feed to give is natural bait. Plankton, insects, meat, fish, shellfish, and so on can all be fed. Feed once each in the morning and evening, preferably around 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. The feeding amount is 5-10% of body weight. When the water temperature is 16-23°C, the feeding amount should be increased, because at this time the growth rate of giant salamanders speeds up, and the number of feedings and the time can remain unchanged.

7. Anti-theft and anti-escape

Giant salamanders have a particularly strong ability to escape. They move agilely both on land and in water, so attention must always be paid to preventing escape. Anti-escape facilities must be installed at all water inlets and outlets and land passage openings of the rearing pond and the entire farm. Because giant salamanders have high economic value, anti-theft measures should also be taken during rearing.

8. Disease prevention and control

In the process of artificially raising giant salamanders, due to the influence of environment, bait, density, and so on, the disease rate and mortality rate of artificially raised giant salamanders are relatively high. To increase the survival rate of farmed Chinese giant salamanders, attention must be paid to preventing and controlling diseases on the premise of strengthening daily management.

The above is the editor's summary of the methods for raising giant salamanders. I hope it can help you!