The yellow-throated turtle, also known as the golden-throated turtle or sweet turtle, is a small to medium-sized freshwater species native to regions like Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and other southern provinces in China. These turtles have a flat, oval-shaped shell that typically measures around 15 cm in length. Known for their calm temperament, mild flavor, and lack of strong odor, they are highly valued both as a food source and in traditional medicine. Additionally, they serve as an excellent parent stock for breeding high-quality ornamental turtles such as green-eared turtles, making them popular among breeders and consumers alike.
**I. Turtle Pond Construction**
When setting up a pond for raising yellow-throated turtles, it's important to choose a sunny, sheltered, quiet, and well-drained area. The size of the pond can vary depending on the scale of farming, and it can be round, oval, rectangular, or irregular in shape. The depth should be at least 1 meter. A gentle slope of 25–30 degrees connects the pond to a surrounding courtyard. For smaller pools, brick walls and cemented floors are commonly used, with a 20 cm layer of sand at the bottom. The pond should be about 3–5 square meters in area and 70–100 cm in height, with a feeding platform that also serves as a resting and basking area.
A spawning area of 5–8 square meters should be set up on the sunny side of the pond, with 40 cm of sandy loam soil for egg-laying. A rain shelter is built over this area, and flowering plants or vines are planted nearby to create a safe and natural environment for breeding. Before using the pond, it should be disinfected with lime water for 5–7 days, then cleaned and sterilized with a bleaching powder solution before filling with fresh water.
**II. Feeding and Management**
Newly hatched yellow-throated turtles weigh only 3–5 grams and absorb nutrients from their yolk sac for the first three days. After that, they can be fed cooked egg yolk or mealworms. By day seven, they can be given finely chopped fish, animal organs, fruits, vegetables, and potatoes. Feed should be provided at a rate of approximately 5% of their body weight, and they should finish eating within 100 minutes. In summer, feedings are done twice daily, while in spring and autumn, once a day. During late autumn, feedings are reduced to every two days. High-protein and high-fat feeds are essential to help the turtles store energy for the winter.
Young turtles are raised in ponds or containers with a water depth of 10–15 cm, allowing them to choose between wet and dry areas. The density is about 100 per square meter. After 15–30 days, hatchlings are moved to young turtle pools. If kept indoors, the water depth should be increased to 30 cm, and the pond walls should be protected to prevent escape. The water-to-land ratio should be 2:1, with a 20 cm layer of hard clay at the bottom. Young turtles can be fed a mix of duckweed, vegetables, and other plant-based feeds, increasing to 10% of their body weight during peak seasons. Two weeks before winter, high-fat feeds should be added for better survival.
After 2–3 months of careful rearing, hatchlings can reach over 50 grams. When temperatures stabilize above 20°C, they can be moved outdoors. By their third year (after two winters), they should weigh over 250 grams and be ready for breeding programs to produce green-eared turtles.
**III. Breeding Yellow-Throated Turtles**
1. **Selecting Breeding Stock**: Male turtles should weigh over 300 grams, have a narrow body, a large carapace, a central depression in the abdomen, a long tail, and a strong build. Females should weigh over 400 grams, have a rounded, thick body, a short carapace, a flat plastron, and a short tail. Both should be healthy, with complete limbs, shells, and clear eyes. The ideal male-to-female ratio is 1:2 or 1:2.5.
2. **Spawning Period Management**: Yellow-throated turtles reach sexual maturity at 5–6 years. Mating occurs in May–June and August–September when temperatures range from 20–25°C. Spawning typically takes place from June to September, with peak activity in July. Turtle eggs resemble cocoons, are smooth, and shiny. Fertilized eggs must be collected 48 hours after laying, as the embryo becomes fixed after that. Eggs should be marked and collected the following afternoon. Only fertilized eggs should be incubated.
3. **Hatchery Management**: Hatching boxes are usually 60 cm × 40 cm × 12 cm, made of wood, with drainage holes and 6 cm of sand at the bottom. Eggs are placed 1 cm apart, covered with 3–4 cm of sand, and sealed with a glass lid. Temperature should be maintained at 28–30°C with 85% humidity. After 55–60 days, hatchlings emerge with a hatching rate of about 90%. Unfertilized eggs should be discarded if no signs of development appear within 8 hours.
Frozen Seafood Dosidicus Gigas,Seafood Dosidicus Gigas Squid,Food Dosidicus Gigas Squid
Zhoushan Xifeng aquatic co lid. , https://www.xifengaquatic.com