Plum blossom, also known as the "black plum blossom," is native to the Taihu and Yonghu lakes in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It gets its name from the distinctive black spots on its scales, which resemble plum blossoms. This unique strain of Chinese sturgeon is highly valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties, as well as its strong resistance to diseases, cold, and heat. Its high survival rate and adaptability make it an ideal candidate for aquaculture.
In lake cage culture, plum blossoms grow with a flat body, large fins, and thick skin, closely resembling their wild counterparts. The market price ranges between 160 to 200 yuan per kilogram, making it a profitable species for farmers. After years of research and development, the author has established a new "lake cage culture technology" that efficiently utilizes natural resources such as wild fish, snails, and mollusks to enhance production quality and increase income. This low-risk, high-return project is particularly suitable for farmers in lake areas and holds great potential for future expansion.
First, the selection of water area is crucial. The cage should be placed in open, sunny lakes with a consistent water depth of 1.5 to 3 meters. The water must be clean and free from pollution, with some wind and wave activity to ensure good water circulation.
Second, cage setup involves using 6-strand polyethylene netting (sizes 5 and 6) to form a closed hexagonal structure. A feeding hole of 50 to 60 cm in diameter is left on top. Cage sizes typically range from 6m x 6m x 3m or 3m x 5m x 3m. Larger cages are harder to manage, while smaller ones may not provide enough space for growth. A square feed table made of 20- to 30-mesh polyethylene mesh is suspended at half-water depth inside the cage. Bamboo or stainless steel supports are used to fix the cage horizontally, ensuring the bottom touches the lake bed while maintaining spacing between cages for easy management.
Third, stocking involves selecting healthy, disease-free plum blossoms raised in open-air ponds until they reach about 100 grams. Stocking should occur from late April to early May, avoiding winter and summer to prevent stress. The stocking density is generally 10 to 15 per square meter, with a maximum of 20 to 30 per square meter. Fish of similar size are stocked together to avoid competition for food. Before stocking, fish are disinfected by soaking in a 20ppm potassium permanganate solution for 30 minutes.
Fourth, feeding management focuses on small fish, snails, and oyster meat. Artificial feed is avoided to maintain product quality. Feeding begins in May, increases during June to September, and decreases in October. Feeding is done twice daily—40% in the morning and 60% in the afternoon. Feed tables are placed in each cage, and the feeding method follows the "four-seeing, four-defining" approach to ensure optimal consumption.
Fifth, daily management includes monitoring feeding behavior, weather, and water temperature. Regular checks on growth and sorting are essential. Cages should be cleaned every 30 days, and any damage should be repaired promptly. Disease prevention is minimal due to the high survival rate, but if issues like skin infections, white spot, or acne appear, appropriate treatments such as antibiotics, chlorine dioxide, or ointments are applied.
Finally, harvesting is straightforward. Plum blossoms can be caught anytime based on market demand. Fish stocked at 100g can reach commercial size (around 500g) in two years, and over 90% will meet specifications after three years. Grading and selective harvesting help maintain product quality and ensure continuous supply.
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