Shrimp farming is a popular thing in many areas. They are much easier to maintain compared to many fish species, if the amount of resources expended is implied. However, the key issue is the creation of favorable conditions for the reproduction of shrimp, because without proper care about the breeding of these crustaceans, you can forget.
Care Features
Shrimp depending on the species can live from 12 to 18 months or about 2 full years, if purchased from professional breeders. However, with improper care, poor lifestyle and violation of the conditions of detention, they will at best live six months.
For successful breeding of shrimp, anyone should know the main features of their content.
1 A regular aquarium or small pool is enough to start
Stable successful breeding of shrimp (especially dwarf) can be achieved even in aquariums or a small pool. This is a key positive feature when breeding.
Shrimps occupy the lowest level in the food chain, that is, they serve as food for all other marine inhabitants, and they themselves feed on fish food debris, dying plants / algae and other microorganisms.
It is because of its minimal requirements for reproduction and life for shrimp that an aquarium of 55 liters or a plastic pool will be enough. However, although the size of the reservoir can be minimal (comparative), it is important to observe and maintain certain conditions. Otherwise, the shrimp will die faster than the owner has time to realize this.
2Follow the temperature
Shrimps urgently need a constant temperature, otherwise they will not grow and multiply normally.
The ideal temperature for shrimp is 22-28 degrees above zero. It is at such a temperature of the water in the pool / aquarium that the shrimp are as mobile as possible, tend to leave offspring and their growth is not slowed down.
If the temperature is below 20-22 degrees, the shrimp will feel uncomfortable, will begin to behave rather passively. And at high temperatures they will die or suffocate due to a lack of oxygen (aeration in such conditions will not help).
Also, temperature directly affects young individuals who are not adapted to survive in such conditions as older individuals.
3 Regularly control the pH of the water
Water should have a neutral pH balance and not exceed a value of 9.0.
Also, shrimp practically does not need salt water, because they perfectly adapt to survival in freshwater conditions. The Malaysian rainbow shrimp feels best in fresh water, but the breeder himself has the right to decide which type of shrimp will be used. The main thing is that individuals can adapt to existing conditions, and the rest is up to a small matter.
4 Shrimp need oxygen and low hazardous water
The oxygen content in the water (as well as some other substances) must meet the requirements for breeding.
To make the shrimp feel as comfortable as possible, you will need:
- oxygen content - 5-6 mg / l;
- nitrites - 0.25 mg / l;
- nitrates - 1.5-3 mg / l.
Shrimp are arthropods, critically sensitive to nitrogen and free chlorine in water. In view of this, at least a slight excess of the maximum permissible values will cause a mass death of the shrimp population in record time. After 2 days at the breeding, it will be possible to put an end to and will have to purchase new individuals.
5 Perform regular water changes.
For shrimp, you must constantly update the water. This should be done once a week, in the amount of 15-20% of the total volume of the capacity where the shrimp are grown. It is highly recommended that you seriously filter this water before replacing it (like the one that will initially be poured into the aquarium / shrimp pond).
For filtering, it is most reasonable to use a multi-stage filter, an ultrasound device (installation of closed water supply) and an ozonizer. The key task is the maximum possible purification of water from a variety of mechanical suspensions and harmful pathogens.
The ultrasound can be replaced with an ozonizer or vice versa, but running water through a filter is a prerequisite.
Before the post-larva is launched into the water, it will be necessary to seriously purge the water with aerators (for oxygen). It is better to do this 5-7 days before the launch of the larvae in a reservoir.
As for sea water, after cleaning it is necessary to dissolve sea salt in it (in the calculation of 15-25 kg per 1,000 liters). Salt is only suitable special, which is artificially created for such needs. In its composition, it will be as close as possible to the oceanic one with an ionic composition.
In the pools, water does not need to be changed - you should only add it as it evaporates. This applies to both fresh and sea water.
Water should also be constantly cleaned of ammonia compounds. This must be done using biological filtration (special biofilters).
6 Shrimps need smooth acclimatization
The post-larva is sent in cool water, thereby reducing oxygen consumption. Therefore, when launching the larva into the main tank, one should behave as carefully as possible: adaptation will not happen due to the sharp temperature difference, which is very bad. In order not to waste money in vain on the second acquisition of the post-larva, it is important to treat the shrimp transfer process with utmost care.
7 Feed must be nutritious
Shrimp are extremely selective in food. During the meal, the shrimp seek out the most delicious pieces of food. This desire even goes so far that these cunning arthropods wait until the food swells in the water so that it is easier to find the most nutritious and delicious particles.
Shrimp food manufacturers are doing their best to work on the density of the feed and its composition so that individuals absorb it as much as possible. A good imported feed costs on average 3 euros per 1 kg. You should also pay attention to the key components of the feed: fishmeal must be present in high-quality feed. And its total share of the rest of the composition should be at least 25%.
Breeding process
Knowing all the nuances of keeping shrimp at home, it becomes clear that shrimp is required very little, but the quality of the conditions should be first-class. In order to start breeding crustacean data, you will first need:
- aquarium / pond / pool (optional), etc .;
- constant support of the required temperature in the water (heaters);
- continuous oxygen supply (good aeration);
- shrimp feed (the higher its quality, the better for future breeding);
- high-quality and proper processing of waste products (biofilters).
Shrimps live at the bottom, so the optimum depth of the reservoir is considered to be no more than 1.5 meters. Good lighting is also especially important, otherwise individuals will be critically passive.
Breeding is possible from April to October - this is an ideal time for raising fry and selling adults. However, if the pond is indoor or not located on the site with the house (but inside it), then breeding and marketing of adults can be done non-stop.
But for this it is important to comply with all agreed conditions in order to successfully maintain shrimp growth trends. That is, there must be a constant supply of electricity, heat, feed, etc.
If you use an aquarium for breeding (20-30 individuals maximum), then it would be wiser to breed dwarf, decorative (for sale in pet stores) shrimp. This is due to profitability: 100 adults will give a much greater profit to the owner than 25. After all, they can be sold en masse, for example, in shops, restaurants, etc.
It is important to note that there should not be any fish in the same shrimp pond. They enjoy youngsters with pleasure, and therefore the shrimp population will end. Predatory fish are especially dangerous, but it’s better to completely abandon their presence. Exclusively for safety reasons, larvae and fry, especially since shrimps do not suffer in any way if they are alone in a pond.
But if the individuals begin to breed too actively, then something must be done with this: the shrimp will start to eat each other even with a sufficient amount of food.
Experience shows that raising shrimp is not easy and costly, but you can still succeed through trial and error. See the report on the successful shrimp farm in Volgograd:
These are the main features of shrimp farming. The process cannot be called complex, it is only important to approach the maintenance of individuals with maximum responsibility. Subject to all key conditions, especially water temperature, shrimp will begin to breed and delight the owner with a large number of offspring.