Commercial farming of loach cartilage, prospects from the model in Quynh Luu

The 1,000 m2 loach farming model of Mr. Ho Trung Duc's family, Quynh Doi commune (Quynh Luu). Photo: Hong Dien

As the Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Quynh Doi commune, Mr. Ho Trung Duc always thinks about being proactive in economic development. Through research, he found thatloachCartilage has delicious meat, soft bones, high nutritional value, strong consumer market, stable price. Moreover, loach adapts to diverse living environments, very easy to raise. However, in the area, no household raises cartilage loach, so he discussed with his family to invest in this new species.

Thinking is doing, after learning from the experience of successful loach farms in Hai Duong, in early March 2022, Mr. Duc decided to buy 300,000 fry to raise on an area of ​​1,000 m²pond. After 3 months of care, his family's loach has now reached the size of 50 fish/kg, with an estimated total output of 5-6 tons. The harvested product will be purchased on the spot by the seed supplier, with an import price of 80,000 VND/kg.

After 3 months of raising, the loach reaches a weight of 50 fish/kg. Photo: Hong Dien

Sharing about the technique and experience of raising loach, Mr. Duc said: First, you must select quality breeds, of uniform size, and free of disease. Before releasing the breeds into the pond, you must kill all miscellaneous fish to avoid competing for food with the loach. Unlike loach that usually lives in the mud, the characteristic of loach is that it lives in the upper layer of the water surface, so in the pond, he has created an automatic feeding trough to limit food spillage. Every day, he feeds the animals 3-4 times and depending on each growth stage to ensure the appropriate quantity and portion of food.

At the same time, he spread water hyacinth to form patches under the pond to filter the water, cool it, and create a habitat for loach. On the surface of the pond and around the banks, he carefully covered it with nets to prevent birds, storks, and other animals from entering.

Cartilaginous loach has delicious meat, soft bones, and high nutritional value. Photo: Hong Dien

With the advantage of being close to the river, Mr. Duc continuously pumps water in and out every day and maintains the water level above 1m in the pond. Moreover, he focuses on cleaning the pond and preventing common diseases such as fungi and parasites caused by bacteria on the loach. In addition, he installs aerators to create fountains, which help circulate the water and provide oxygen for the loach. Thanks to compliance with the technical process and necessary factors in the breeding process, the loach grows quickly, has uniform size and reaches the weight.

It is known that currently in Quynh Luu district, this is one of two loach farming models that have initially shown promise, opening up a new economic development direction for local farmers.

In the pond, Mr. Duc spreads water hyacinth to create a substrate for loach to live in. Photo: Hong Dien

Mr. Ho Bao Thong - Chairman of Quynh Doi Commune People's Committee, said: Through a survey atmodelRaising loach of Mr. Ho Trung Duc's family, he found this breeddevelop well, suitable for the soil conditions, water flow as well as the local climate. The commune is planning that after Mr. Duc's model is sold and has high yield as expected, the locality will organize a training conference, instructing farming techniques for households in need and meeting the conditions to replicate this new breed./.