Stingray, commonly known as the yellow duck or yellow ladle, is a benthic omnivorous fish prized for its tender, nutritious meat and high economic value. It has significant market potential, making it an attractive species for aquaculture. Below are detailed techniques for breeding stingrays, including seed production, pond culture, and cage farming:
**First, Seed Breeding**
1. **Selection and Breeding of Broodstock**: Healthy adult stingrays with smooth skin, intact fins, and no signs of disease or injury were chosen as broodstock. Female stingrays should weigh between 75–100 grams, while males should be 125–150 grams. A ratio of 1:1.2 (female to male) was used for optimal breeding.
2. **Artificial Spawning**: The broodstock were kept in a spawning pool. When females showed swollen abdomens and males produced sperm, they were placed together in groups of 1:1. Hormonal agents such as ERH2 (LRH-A2), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and ketoxime were used to stimulate spawning. Fish nests were placed at the bottom of the pool to prevent damage during egg-laying. Eggs were then transferred to hatching tanks or rings for incubation.
3. **Artificial Hatching**: Stingrays spawn in batches over several hours. Once most eggs were laid, the nests were moved to hatching areas. Water flow was maintained to ensure oxygen supply, and some nests were placed in still water tanks with aeration systems to support development.
4. **Fry Cultivation**: After hatching, fry were fed small zooplankton. They were gradually transitioned to artificial diets like egg yolk and fish paste. Once they reached 1.5 cm, compound feed was introduced. Fry were moved to specialized pools when they grew beyond 3 cm, ready for the next stage of growth.
**Second, Pond Culture Technology**
1. **Pond Selection and Disinfection**: Ponds with good water quality, sufficient depth (over 1.5 meters), and an area of 1500–1700 square meters were selected. Silt was removed, and the ponds were left to dry and disinfect before stocking. Lime or bleaching powder was applied before introducing fish.
2. **Stocking and Species Matching**: Fish were stocked in winter or early spring, with a density of 2000–3000 per 667 square meters. Fish were acclimated using saltwater baths before being placed into the pond.
3. **Feeding and Diet Formulation**: Stingrays were fed a diet of minced fish, shrimp, snail meat, and by-products. Pellet feeds containing fishmeal, soybean cake, bran, corn, and minerals were also used. Daily feeding amounted to 5–8% of their body weight, adjusted based on activity and environmental conditions.
4. **Daily Management and Disease Control**: Water quality was monitored regularly, with partial water changes every 10–15 days. Residual food was removed daily, and disease prevention measures, such as periodic application of bleaching powder, were implemented. Due to their sensitivity, drugs like trichlorfon and copper sulfate were used carefully.
**Third, Cage Culture Technology**
1. **Site Selection**: Cages were placed in sheltered areas with deep water (over 4 meters) in bays, lakes, or rivers.
2. **Cage Construction and Installation**: Polyethylene net cages were used, with dimensions of 3x3x1.6m or 4x4x1.6m. The outer mesh size was 3cm, and the inner mesh was 1cm. Cages were anchored and arranged in “one†or “goods†patterns.
3. **Stocking Density**: Stocking densities varied depending on fish size—100 fish per square meter for 25g individuals and 70 per square meter for 50g fish. Fish were acclimated in saltwater before entering the cage.
4. **Feeding Management**: Feeding was done twice daily, with 60% of the food given in the evening and 40% in the morning. The daily ration was 5–8% of the fish’s body weight.
5. **Daily Maintenance**: Cages were cleaned weekly, and the feeding area was inspected daily. Nets were checked for damage, and shade nets were added during hot seasons to protect the fish.
6. **Disease Prevention**: Although stingrays are less prone to disease, regular cleaning and lime water applications helped maintain hygiene and prevent outbreaks.
Overall, stingray farming requires careful attention to water quality, nutrition, and disease control. With proper techniques, this species can thrive in both pond and cage environments, offering sustainable and profitable opportunities for aquaculturists.
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