Raising eels without mud in cement tanks

(Baonghean) - Eel is a special aquatic product that is very popular with people, its meat is delicious and has high nutritional value. Currently, the eel farming movement is growing in many localities with many different farming forms. The most popular is still the traditional farming model in mud. Although this model brings quite high economic efficiency to farmers, it also reveals some limitations because eels burrow in mud, making it difficult to monitor the quantity, growth rate, prey situation, diseases... to have timely treatment measures. The mud-free eel farming model is a new direction and has received the attention of farmers because it overcomes the limitations of the traditional eel farming model as well as the ability to be highly intensive, minimizing environmental pollution... We would like to introduce the mud-free eel farming model in cement tanks, including the following steps:

1. Prepare the tank:

- Each cement tank has an area of ​​5-10m2, with a slight slope towards the drain.

- The tank has a convenient water supply and drainage system.

- Use nylon rope to cover 2/3 of the bottom area of ​​the tank as shelter for the eels.

- The pool has a roof to keep it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

- For old tanks: Before stocking, the tank must be cleaned and disinfected.

- For new tanks: After building the tank, soak it in detergent water many times, wait at least 20 days before putting eels in.

2. Select breed:

Choose eels of the same size, healthy, disease-free, and bright color. The source of eel breeds has been domesticated at reputable breeding facilities.

3. Seed release:

Small sized breeds weighing 1,500 fish/kg are raised at a density of 1,000-1,500 fish/m2; eels weighing 50-70 fish/kg are raised at a density of 200-300 fish/m2.

Before releasing eels into the tank, bathe them in 3% salt water for 15-20 minutes to prevent disease.

4. Care and management:

- Food for young eel stage: minced trash fish mixed with 20% pellets with protein content over 35%, dose 7-10% of eel weight/day, feed once a day in the evening (6-7pm).

- Food for adult eels: miscellaneous fish, golden apple snails, cooked slaughterhouse by-products, 3-5% of eel weight, feed once a day in the evening (6-7pm). Change water once a day (make sure water is always clean).

- When raising eels, every 30 days you must select small ones to raise separately (separate the herd in time). Only then will the eels have the same size, low loss rate and highest economic efficiency.

- During the raising process, you must constantly observe, if any eel is scratched, you must separate it for treatment. When you detect abnormal signs such as eel eating less, some eel swimming separately or raising their heads, you need to find the cause to have timely treatment measures.

5. Harvest:

After 6-7 months, the eels reach a weight of 0.2-0.3kg/eel (reaching commercial value) and can be sold on the market, with a survival rate of over 70%. Productivity reaches 40-60 kg/m2 of tank.

When the eel reaches harvest size, stop feeding it a day before selling. When catching it, use a net to scoop it gently to avoid scratching it. Prepare a styrofoam box to hold the eel.

Vu Xuan Nam