Detailed Explanation of Key Technical Points for Snakehead Cage Aquaculture

Snakehead (Channa argus) is a common food fish in China, also known as wuyu, caiyu, sheyu, etc. It is large in size, fast-growing, and of high economic value. It is a demersal fish, usually inhabiting still or gently flowing water with dense aquatic plants and soft bottom mud, and is found throughout lakes, rivers, reservoirs, ponds and other waters. Let us now take a look at snakehead cage aquaculture technology!

Water Area Conditions

Snakehead has strong adaptability to changes in environmental factors in water bodies, especially to hypoxia, water temperature and poor water quality. Its requirements for water quality are not very strict. Generally, any open river water area with a certain water depth and width can be used for snakehead aquaculture. However, according to the living habits of snakehead, it is advisable to choose water areas with gentle flow and a quiet environment, with no inflow of harmful pollutants.

Cage Installation

1. Cage specifications: The cage body is made of polyethylene summer-fry netting. It should be small rather than large; generally, small cages of 15-33 sq m are used. The mesh size should be determined according to the size of the snakehead and the bait fish, as long as they cannot escape through it.

2. Cage installation: Fix the cage in the water area with moso bamboo at the four corners. The part submerged in water is 1.5 m, and the part above the water surface is 1 m. To prevent escape, sew a 0.5 m wide cover net around the top edge of the cage opening as an anti-escape net.

3. Planting aquatic plants: In the snakehead aquaculture cage, a patch of aquatic plants (such as water peanut, Alternanthera philoxeroides) should be planted as a habitat and hiding place for snakehead. The coverage area of aquatic plants should account for 40-60% of the cage area, and must not exceed 70%.

Fingerling Stocking

1. Fingerling source: Most snakehead fingerlings come from the wild. Therefore, when selecting snakehead fingerlings, choose those caught with dip nets, bamboo traps, Jiulong bags and other fishing gear. Most of those caught with hooks are injured and unsuitable for selection.

2. Stocking time: Snakehead aquaculture generally begins with purchasing fingerlings in winter and stocking them progressively. Stocking work is best completed before the end of April. If the seed sources are not centralized, progressive stocking is also acceptable.

3. Stocking density: Stock 8-16 snakehead fingerlings of 5-150 g per fish per sq m. The snakehead fingerlings in the same cage are required to be uniform in size, so as to avoid cannibalism when bait is insufficient.

Feed Feeding

1. Bait selection: Snakehead is a carnivorous fish. At present, freshwater live wild trash fish are all used as bait, and ice-fresh small marine trash fish can also be used. The feed is required to be fresh and palatable.

2. Feeding amount: Snakehead aquaculture generally starts feeding in early April, feeding 1-2 times per day. The daily feeding amount is 2-5% of the total body weight of the fish in the cage. The annual feed conversion ratio is kept at around 4.

3. Timely adjustment: During the season of vigorous feeding and rapid growth, the bait for snakehead must be sufficient to ensure they eat their fill and promote rapid growth, and appropriate adjustments should be made according to the fish's feeding situation and weather changes.

Daily Management

1. Hang some white foam plastic around the water surface of the cage to prevent water rats from approaching the cage.

2. Persist in inspecting the cage body once every morning, and repair any damaged parts promptly.

3. During windy and rainstorm seasons, reinforce the cage and raise or lower the cage body in a timely manner.

4. Periodically lift and pull the cage body to remove attachments on the cage body, maintain water exchange inside and outside the cage, and increase dissolved oxygen levels.