A Detailed Guide to Artificial Breeding Methods and Techniques for the Reeves' Shad
The Reeves' shad is now a relatively precious fish species. They generally live near estuary mouths, and in China they are mainly found in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Together with pufferfish and saury, it is known as one of the "Three Fresh Delicacies of the Yangtze." But now the Reeves' shad is very rarely seen in the Yangtze River, and although the Reeves' shad has many bones, because of its great fame and scarcity, its price and demand are both very considerable. Some regions have begun artificial breeding of the Reeves' shad, so let us follow Qin Nong Wang to see how the Reeves' shad, one of the Three Fresh Delicacies of the Yangtze, is bred.
1. Breeding Preparation
Because the Reeves' shad has relatively high requirements for water quality and other living environment conditions, we need to make full preparations before breeding, so as to ensure the growth of the Reeves' shad. First, we need to choose a place near a water source and build a fish pond, with the pond area controlled at around five mu. Second, the water quality of the water source must be guaranteed and pollution-free. Then we need to prepare an oxygen increasing agent or an oxygen supply machine, which can increase the oxygen content in the fish pond and let the Reeves' shad adapt to the environment faster. In addition, quicklime, bleaching powder, etc. need to be used for disinfection and sterilization. Finally, pour an appropriate amount of biological bait into the pond, and after a week, put ten fish fry of different sizes into the fish pond to test the water. If there are no abnormalities, the fry can be stocked.
2. Fry Stocking
The water depth in the fish pond is best at around 1.5 m, and the temperature at stocking is best at around 22 to 32°C, and an appropriate amount of oxygen supply agent should be added to the water. About 1,500 fish can be stocked per mu, so a five-mu fish pond needs at least 7,000 fry. Because the Reeves' shad has very high requirements for water quality, we should put a small number of bighead carp or other fish into the water, which can regulate the water quality to a certain extent and at the same time provide certain food for the Reeves' shad.
3. Feeding Management
The Reeves' shad is an omnivorous fish, but it is mainly fed plant feed, followed by plankton in the water and some small fish and shrimp. Therefore, we can plant some water caltrop and lotus root in the fish pond, which can not only purify the water quality but also provide them with food. At the same time, we can also put some small fish and shrimp into the pond, which can promote the growth of the Reeves' shad. Also, when feeding, note that the Reeves' shad feeds in stages. In spring, we need to put in a large amount of feed, because its appetite is very large during this period and it needs constant food supplementation. In summer, it needs to be gradually reduced. Then in autumn, it only needs feed put in during the day, while in winter basically not much feed is needed, because it only feeds at noon, and in winter it also cannot eat too much, as it easily gets indigestion.
4. Fish Disease Prevention and Control
The main diseases and pests of the Reeves' shad are branchiomycosis, parasites, etc. Branchiomycosis is visible to the naked eye. During usual feeding, we should carefully observe whether the gills of the Reeves' shad have turned white or rotted. We can use bleaching powder and chlorine dioxide for sprinkling. Parasites are mainly trichodina, which parasitize the skin or gills of the fish, and a mixture of copper sulfate and ferrous phosphate can be used for prevention and control.