Detailed Explanation of the Breeding Methods and Technical Key Points for Bighead Carp

Bighead carp, also called fathead minnow carp, is currently a fairly popular aquaculture project. First, the bighead carp has very high nutritional value and its flesh is very tender. Second, the bighead carp has a particularly large head, making it very suitable for chopped chili fish head and fish head soup. Third, the meat on the fish head is the most delicious part of the fish and has the highest nutritional value. Finally, the current market sales of bighead carp are very considerable, so many people have started farming bighead carp. So today, Qinnong Network will teach everyone how to farm bighead carp.

1. Breeding Conditions

Before farming bighead carp, we need to meet the conditions for their survival. First, we need to prepare a large pond of at least five mu. Second, the bottom of the pond must not be cemented; it is best if it is clay soil. The pond must contain mud, but the amount of mud must not be too much, about 15 cm is enough. Bighead carp have relatively strict requirements for water quality, so there must be an ample water source to make changing the water convenient, and there must be no pollution sources nearby. Finally, before releasing the fry, we must clean the pond thoroughly, then disinfect it with lime before letting water into the pond.

2. Fry Selection

Since we are going to raise fish, we will certainly choose fry with relatively strong vitality and very good adaptability and reproductive capacity for stocking. So how do we select high-quality fry? First, we need to observe whether the scales on their bodies are injured. Second, after putting in fish bait, observe their feeding situation; the more active ones are also the healthier ones. Finally, place the fry in a basin without water; the ones that struggle more vigorously show a stronger will to survive and stronger adaptability to the environment. So we should screen the fry through multiple aspects.

3. Pond Management

First, we need to spread some organic fertilizer into the pond in winter and spring. This can ensure the fertility of the pond, and there will be more rich organisms in the water, so the bighead carp will have more food. Second, bighead carp have relatively high requirements for water quality. Unlike other fish, for which the water can be changed just once a year, bighead carp basically need new water added about every half a month. Only in this way can the basic water quality requirements for bighead carp be guaranteed. Also, we need to set up fences around the pond to prevent the bighead carp from escaping during heavy rain. Finally, after each year's harvest, the pond needs to be cleaned once and then restocked, so that production can be guaranteed.

4. Feeding Management

If bighead carp are to achieve high yield, then feeding is also a very important step. Although bighead carp in nature mainly feed on small fish, small shrimp and some plankton, artificial farming cannot provide them with enough natural food, because the area of the breeding pond is inherently limited, and the plankton it can provide is naturally also reduced. So we need to feed some nutritious and digestible feed, such as wheat bran, fine rice bran, various cakes and special compound feed for bighead carp. It is enough to feed about three times a day. The amount of fish bait must be sufficient, otherwise there will be scrambling for food, causing the weaker bighead carp to be harmed and resulting in unnecessary losses.

5. Disease Prevention and Control

The immunity of bighead carp is very good. Under correct breeding conditions and breeding methods, they generally will not become ill. However, excluding some special circumstances, such as water quality being polluted before there is time to carry out water-changing treatment, this will cause bighead carp to be infected by bacteria and some parasites to enter their bodies, affecting the quality of the bighead carp. So first of all, we must observe carefully, and once a problem is found, change the water in time. Second, put sterilizing and insect-killing agents into the pond for prevention and control. But it must not be excessive, because the bighead carp may absorb the agents into their bodies, increasing the mortality rate, and then the loss will outweigh the gain.