Plum blossom, also known as the Chinese sturgeon with black spots on its body, is native to the Taihu and Yonghu lakes in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It is named for the distinctive black plum blossom-like patterns on its surface. This unique strain of Chinese sturgeon is found exclusively in southern China and is highly valued for its rich nutritional content, medicinal benefits, and strong resistance to diseases, cold, and heat. It adapts well to various environments and has a high survival rate, making it an ideal candidate for aquaculture.
When raised in lake cages or enclosures, plum blossoms exhibit strong swimming abilities, flat bodies, and large, thick skirts that closely resemble those of wild fish. Due to their high market value, which can reach up to 160 to 200 yuan per kilogram, they are a profitable species for farmers. After years of research and development, the author has created a "new technology for lake cage culture of plum blossom," which effectively utilizes natural resources like wild fish, snails, and shellfish to improve both yield and quality. This low-investment, low-risk, high-return project is especially beneficial for rural communities around the lakes, offering promising potential for widespread adoption.
First, selecting the right water area is crucial. The cage culture should be placed in open, sunny lakes with a consistent water depth between 1.5 to 3 meters. The water must be clean, fresh, and have some wind and wave activity to ensure good oxygenation and circulation.
Next, setting up the cages involves using polyethylene knotted nets with 6 strands of No. 5 or No. 6 mesh. The cages are typically hexagonal in shape, with a 50-60 cm diameter opening for feeding. Standard sizes are either 6.0m x 6.0m x 3.0m or 3.0m x 5.0m x 3.0m. Too large a cage can make management difficult, while too small may hinder growth. A square feed table made of 20-30 mesh polyethylene net is suspended halfway in the cage for feeding. The cages are supported by bamboo or stainless steel poles and positioned horizontally, with space left between them for easy maintenance.
For stocking, healthy, disease-free plum blossoms from local hatcheries are selected and grown in open-air ponds until they reach about 100 grams. Stocking is best done from late April to early May, avoiding winter and summer to prevent stress. The density is usually between 10 to 15 per square meter, not exceeding 20 to 30. All fish in the same net should be of similar size to avoid competition for food. Before stocking, fish are disinfected by soaking in a 20ppm potassium permanganate solution for 30 minutes.
In terms of feeding, plum blossoms are mainly fed with small fish, snails, and oyster meat, ensuring that the food is fresh and non-polluting. Artificial feed is generally avoided to maintain product quality. Feeding begins in May, increases during June to September, and decreases in October. The feeding method follows the "four-seeing, four-defining" approach, with 40% of daily feed given at 8 am and 60% at 5 pm. Food should be consumed within two hours.
Daily management includes monitoring feeding behavior, weather, and water temperature changes. Regular checks on growth and sorting of fish are necessary. Binning is typically done every 30 days, with cleaning and disinfection included. Cages are inspected regularly for damage and maintained promptly.
Disease prevention is minimal due to the high survival rate (over 95%), but some cases of bacterial infections, white spot disease, and acne have been observed in areas with poor water quality or stagnant conditions. Infected fish should be isolated and treated: 10ppm antibiotics for skin infections, 3ppm chlorine dioxide for white spots, and disinfectant sticks with oxytetracycline ointment for acne.
Harvesting is straightforward, with fish ready for sale at any time based on market demand. Fish stocked at 100g can reach commercial size (0.5kg) after two years, and over 90% can reach 0.75kg after three years. Farmers often practice grading, keeping smaller fish for further growth and harvesting continuously. This system ensures sustainable production and long-term profitability.
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