As May approaches, many crayfish breeders need to be on high alert as this period marks the peak season for crayfish diseases. Once infected, it becomes extremely challenging to control. Here are some key management tips for crayfish in May.
Key Management Tips for Crayfish in May
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Scientific Aquatic Planting: Aquatic plants play a vital role in crayfish cultivation by providing natural food sources, optimizing pond ecology, improving sediment quality, purifying water, providing climbing surfaces, offering hiding places, and regulating temperature. It's recommended to cover about 1/4 to 1/3 of the pond area with aquatic plants. In addition, select fast-growing aquatic plant species for pairing in April and May, such as water cabbage, Vallisneria, Ceratophyllum demersum, and water peanuts. Early planting of aquatic plants before the water temperature rises in late April to May helps reduce stress on crayfish and alleviate water quality deterioration.
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Ensure Adequate Oxygen: Prolonged oxygen deficiency significantly affects crayfish metabolism. Oxygen is a critical environmental factor. If possible, ponds should be equipped with microporous aerators and waterwheel aerators to reduce stress from poor water conditions during April and May.
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Control Stocking Density: Crayfish have a high stocking density and strong territorial instincts. High-density stocking can easily cause stress during molting. Additionally, high-density conditions do not significantly increase overall yield, and the proportion of large-sized crayfish output is often low. Therefore, it's recommended to follow the principle of stocking fewer, larger juveniles early in the season, with a density of around 4000-5000 individuals per mu. This helps produce larger crayfish earlier, increasing overall profitability.
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Feed Rationally: The primary energy source for crayfish growth is feed. However, aquatic plants can reduce the need for feed. Proper selection and feeding of high-quality commercial feeds with a high proportion of animal protein in April and May directly impact the final yield of cultivation. It's advisable to feed approximately 70% of the daily ration in the evening and 30% in the morning. Use feeding trays in the pond to adjust feeding amounts timely, minimize water quality deterioration due to feed residue, and maximize feed efficiency.
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Regular Water Quality Regulation: From late March to April, regularly use fertilizers to enrich the water, promote the stability of beneficial algae, and directly influence crayfish metabolism. Periodically supplement the water with various minerals and trace elements necessary for crayfish growth, and use necessary pond bottom improvement products such as potassium peroxymonosulfate.
Above are the key management tips for crayfish in May. May is a critical period for crayfish cultivation. We hope all breeders can apply these tips effectively to successfully navigate the risks during the breeding season in May.
