Detailed Explanation of Key Points in Artificial Loach Farming Techniques

I. Loach Farming in Dedicated Ponds

This generally refers to the farming method adopted by producers who specialize inloach farming.

1. Pond construction: Choose a site with good sunlight, warmth and ventilation, convenient transportation, abundant water sources, easy water intake and drainage, and no pollution sources within 3 km to build the rearing pond. The soil for the loach pond should be neutral or slightly acidic clayey soil. The area is 100-300 sq m, the pond depth is 80-100 cm, and the water depth is 30-50 cm.

2. Pond clearing and disinfection: 15 days before stocking the loach fry, clear and disinfect the pond with quicklime. Leave 10 cm of pond water, and use 100 g of quicklime per sq m, dissolved in water and splashed over the entire pond.

3. Applying base fertilizer: Mainly use organic fertilizer to cultivate large amounts of zooplankton as feed for the loach. After releasing the fry, gradually increase feed feeding and apply additional organic fertilizer.

4. Feed feeding: Loach has omnivorous feeding habits. Small animals, plants, microorganisms and organic debris in the water are all foods it likes. Artificial rearing should also include animal-based feeds such as maggots, earthworms, minced trash fish, mussel meat, fish meal and livestock and poultry offal, as well as plant-based feeds such as wheat bran, rice bran, bean dregs and oilseed meal.

5. Feeding at fixed times, fixed locations, with fixed quality and fixed quantity: The feeding amount depends on water quality, weather and feeding conditions. When the water temperature is suitable, feed once each in the morning, at noon and in the evening every day. When the water temperature is lower, feed once each in the morning and afternoon every day. The feeding amount as a percentage of the body weight of the loach in the pond: March, 1-2%; April-June, 3-5%; July-August, 10-15%; September, 4%. The feeding ratio of plant-based feed to animal-based feed under different water temperature conditions: when the water temperature is below 10°C or above 30°C, feed less or do not feed; when the water temperature is 11-20°C, plant-based feed accounts for 60-70% and animal-based feed accounts for 30-40%; when the water temperature is 21-23°C, plant-based feed and animal-based feed each account for 50%; when the water temperature is 24-29°C, plant-based feed accounts for 30-40% and animal-based feed accounts for 60-70%.

6. Water quality management: After the loach is stocked, apply additional fertilizer at appropriate times according to whether the water is rich or lean, cultivate plankton, and keep the water body in a lively and fresh state at all times. When the water temperature reaches 30°C, replace with fresh water in time and increase the depth to lower the water temperature and prevent gasping at the surface. If the loach is often seen swimming to the surface to gulp air, it indicates a lack of oxygen in the water. Fertilization should be stopped and new water should be injected immediately. From December to February of the following year, feeding may be omitted; it is only necessary to increase the pond water depth and place pig and cattle manure in the corners of the pond to raise the water temperature and ensure the loach safely overwinters.

7. Daily management: Inspect the pond once in the morning and once in the evening every day to check the loach's activity, feeding and diseases, and at the same time observe whether the rearing pond leaks water and whether there are any signs of loach escape. For cement ponds, remove leftover feed every day and keep daily records.

II. Loach Farming in Rice Fields

Raising loach in rice fields can make use of natural food organisms such as earthworms, chironomid larvae, water fleas and weeds in the field, and good economic benefits can be obtained with only a small amount of feed. Because loach has strong vitality, even when the rice field is drained for sun-drying, it can burrow into wet mud and rely on intestinal and skin respiration to maintain life. Therefore, loach is one of the more ideal targets for rice field farming. Rice field construction is the same as for raising other fish: dig one or several fish pits in the field, with an area of 2-3 sq m and a depth of about 50 cm. The fish pits should connect with fish ditches, and the fish ditches should be opened in the shape of the Chinese character "" or "". Fish-blocking facilities must be installed at both the inlet and outlet to prevent escape. Stock 15,000-20,000 loach fry about 3 cm in body length per mu of rice field. Be careful to avoid the use of lime and pesticides, feed and fertilize appropriately, harvest after the autumn rice harvest, or irrigate to continue farming and catch them for market the following spring when the field is plowed.

In addition, a certain number of loach can be stocked in water surfaces where aquatic plants such as lotus and wild rice stem are grown. Generally, about 1,000 fry are stocked per mu. As long as rearing and management are proper, the income from the water surface can be increased.

III. Household Loach Farming

This means using pits and storage ponds in front of and behind the house or in the vegetable garden for loach rearing. Generally, 4,000-5,000 young fry 3-4 cm long can be stocked per mu, or they can be polycultured together with yellow eel and carp. Usually pay attention to feeding and fertilizing, such as with leftover meals, livestock and poultry manure, vegetable leaves, etc. The feed should use a combination of plant-based and animal-based ingredients. At the same time, manage water quality well. When loach is found darting out of the water surface to "gulp air", it indicates a lack of oxygen in the water body. Fertilization should be stopped and fresh water should be replaced. When individual loach grow to 15-20 cm, they can be caught for market. After 8-10 months of rearing, the yield per mu can reach more than 100 kg.