Detailed Explanation of Key Points for Red Crucian Carp Pond Aquaculture Technology

The red crucian carp has a body shape similar to the high-body allogynogenetic silver crucian carp, with fast growth speed; when fry are stocked at low density in the same year, they can reach 300 grams. It feeds faster than the high-back crucian carp polycultured in the same pond, effectively improving feed utilization rate. It has strong disease resistance; in the past two years of farming, no diseases have been found. Its body color is fiery red with bright luster, and its flesh is tender, possessing dual economic value for both food and ornamental purposes.
　　
I. Fry Cultivation Technology
1. Clearing and disinfection of fry ponds: In late March, carry out preparation work for fry ponds. Fry ponds should preferably have an area of 1-5 mu, a water depth of 0.8-1.5 m, and be rectangular in an east-west orientation. Remove weeds from the pond, dig out excess mud at the pond bottom, and disinfect the fry pond with quicklime.
2. Filling with water and fertilizing water quality: Three days after disinfection of the cultivation pond, add new water to a water level of 0.5 m, and install a filter screen when adding water. Fertilize the water quality, applying 300 kg of fermented human and livestock manure per mu.
3. Time for releasing fry into the pond: Choose a sunny morning around 10 o'clock, and release fry at the upwind area of the pond where there is little mud and the bottom is relatively hard. The stocking density of fry is 200,000 per mu.
4. Feeding and management of fry: After the fry are released into the pond, feed them soybean milk twice daily in the morning and afternoon, splashing it over the whole pond, using 5-6 kg of dry soybeans per mu per day. During the cultivation stage, fry gain weight rapidly per day, so new water must be continuously added to increase water volume and dissolved oxygen. After more than 20 days of cultivation, when the red crucian carp fry reach a body length of 5-8 cm, they can be divided into ponds and enter the fingerling rearing stage.
5. Feeding and management of fingerlings: Stock 5,000 red crucian carp summer fry, 200 silver carp inch-size pieces, and 1,000 Wuchang fish per mu. In mid-July, the red pigment of red crucian carp fingerlings gradually increases, and by the end of July they basically appear red. The management of red crucian carp fingerlings is basically the same as that of high-back crucian carp fingerlings.
　　
II. Adult Fish Aquaculture Technology
1. Pond conditions: Area of 5-20 mu, water depth of 1.5-2.5 m, complete drainage and irrigation facilities, convenient transportation, and sufficient power supply.
2. Stocking time and density: After pond clearing and preparation each winter, release fingerlings. Polyculture method: stock 300 red crucian carp of about 50 g each per mu, 600 high-back crucian carp (or other excellent crucian carp), and 50 Wuchang fish. Main culture method: stock 800 red crucian carp of about 50 g each per mu, 200 high-back crucian carp, and 50 Wuchang fish, with appropriate stocking of bighead carp and silver carp in the upper water layer. When stocking, soak and wash with 3% salt water for 5-10 minutes.
3. Feeding and management: In winter, red crucian carp eat little, so it is advisable to feed peanut bran cakes. In early spring, as water temperature rises, begin feeding mixed feed, or feed pellet feed containing 32% crude protein with a particle size of 2 mm, at a daily amount of 2% of body weight. Entering June, the food intake of red crucian carp increases, especially from June to the end of September when food intake is large; flexibly control the daily amount at 5%-8% of body weight. Wuchang fish mainly feed on green feed, supplemented by concentrated feed; collect and feed green feed every morning. In October, the individual weights of red crucian carp, high-back crucian carp, and Wuchang fish all reach 400-500 g, and at this time they should be sold in a balanced manner on the market. During the peak growth season, regularly add new water to regulate water quality. Turn on the aerator for 1-3 hours at dawn every day and at noon on sunny days. Apply quicklime once every half month, 40 kg per mu, slaked into slurry and splashed over the whole pond, to prevent fish diseases.